Population
174,702
2025
+26.5% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Brunswick County, NC growth snapshot
Brunswick County had an estimated 174,702 residents in 2025, up 26.5% (36,567 more people) since 2020. That is faster than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 2nd fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+8,582
2025
49.1 per 1,000 residents
+39,856 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
43,201
2025
+32.5% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,049
2025
+27.1% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.3%
2025
−0.7 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
4,457
2025
−15.1% since 2021
25.5 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$77,024
2020–24
+28.9% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
33,646
2023
+24.3% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 8,582 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 43,201 jobs in 2025, +32.5% since 2020 (3rd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,049.
Unemployment averaged 4.3% in 2025, 0.7 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 4,457 new homes in 2025, or 25.5 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $77,024 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +28.9% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 9th.
Part of the Wilmington, NC metro area.
Brunswick County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 174,702 | +7,813 |
| 2024 | 166,889 | +7,464 |
| 2023 | 159,425 | +6,906 |
| 2022 | 152,519 | +7,800 |
| 2021 | 144,719 | +6,584 |
| 2020 | 138,135 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Brunswick County
Brunswick County grew by 36,567 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+39,856).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −754 | −4,249 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +49 | +521 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +8,582 | +39,856 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −64 | +439 | |
| Total change | +7,813 | +36,567 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 1st of 100 | 9th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 1st of 100 | 3rd of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 2nd of 100 | 136th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 16th of 100 | 721st of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 29th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 72nd of 100 | 1,931st of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 1st of 100 | 9th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Brunswick County grew faster than all 4 of its neighbouring counties (+26.5%, 2020–25).
Only Pender County had a higher median household income (2020–24) among its 4 neighbouring counties; Brunswick County's was $77,024.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick County, NC This county | 174,702 | +26.5% | 49.1 | 25.5 | $77,024 |
| New Hanover County, NC | 245,959 | +8.6% | 9.2 | 9.5 | $75,166 |
| Columbus County, NC | 50,487 | +0.0% | 5.3 | 1.1 | $49,442 |
| Pender County, NC | 72,111 | +19.0% | 26.1 | 11.6 | $80,396 |
| Horry County, SC | 427,551 | +20.9% | 33.3 | 15.2 | $66,880 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Brunswick County?
About 174,702 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Brunswick County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 26.5% between 2020 and 2025, about 36,567 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 2nd of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Brunswick County?
On net, about 8,582 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Brunswick County?
Employers there reported 43,201 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +32.5% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,049 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Brunswick County?
It averaged 4.3% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Brunswick County?
Building permits authorized 4,457 new housing units in 2025, 25.5 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Brunswick County?
$77,024 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Brunswick County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 1st of 100 for population growth; 1st of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 2nd of 100 for private-sector job growth; 16th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 9th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.