Surf City, North Carolina
Population, housing costs, incomes, jobs, commuting and climate in Surf City, compared with North Carolina and the U.S. using Census records and their margins of error.
Surf City town · Incorporated town · Census GEOID 3766040 · North Carolina directory
- Population · July 1, 2025
- 5,142 PEP Vintage 2025
- Change · 2024 to 2025
- +3.6% +179 residents
- Household income
- $81,433 ACS 2020–2024 · ±$12,692
- Home value
- $512,300 ACS 2020–2024 · ±$56,566
- Monthly gross rent
- $1,707 ACS 2020–2024 · ±$691
- Median age
- 36.9 years ACS 2020–2024 · ±2.8
Surf City is an incorporated town in Onslow County and Pender County, North Carolina. With 5,142 residents on July 1, 2025, it ranks 144th in North Carolina and 4,815th nationally among Census places. Its population grew by 179 (3.6%) in the year to July 2025; since April 2020 it has grown 32.9%. Median gross rent in the 2020–2024 survey is $1,707 a month, 39.0% above the North Carolina median. Median household income is $81,433, 12.5% above the North Carolina median.
Detailed demographics → Housing and cost-of-living context →
What stands out in Surf City?
Compared with other North Carolina places, Surf City is most distinctive for faster population growth, fewer foreign-born residents and higher property tax bills. Each statement below uses reliable estimates only, and survey differences from the state exceed their combined 90% margin of error.
- Population change since April 2020: +32.9%; higher than 97% of 530 North Carolina places with reliable estimates.
- Foreign-born residents: 2.8%, 6.3 percentage points below the North Carolina rate (9.1%); lower than 96% of 134 North Carolina places with reliable estimates. Only 4 of 134 North Carolina places with reliable estimates are lower.
- Median real estate taxes paid: $3,245, 71.1% above the North Carolina median ($1,896); higher than 92% of 514 North Carolina places with reliable estimates.
- Median home value: $512,300, 77.3% above the North Carolina median ($288,900); higher than 92% of 496 North Carolina places with reliable estimates.
- Change in local jobs since 2019: +37.6%; higher than 92% of 363 North Carolina places with reliable estimates.
How Surf City compares with North Carolina and the U.S.
| Measure | Surf City | North Carolina | U.S. | Position in North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change since April 2020 PEP Vintage 2025 | +32.9% | — | — | higher than 97% of 530 North Carolina places |
| Residents per square mile of land PEP 2025 / Gazetteer 2025 | 669 | — | — | lower than 54% of 549 North Carolina places |
| Median household income B19013 | $81,433 ±$12,692 | $72,388 | $80,734 | higher than 73% of 451 North Carolina places |
| Median home value B25077 | $512,300 ±$56,566 | $288,900 | $332,700 | higher than 92% of 496 North Carolina places |
| Median real estate taxes paid B25103 | $3,245 ±$430 | $1,896 | $3,119 | higher than 92% of 514 North Carolina places |
| Median gross rent B25064 | $1,707 ±$691 | $1,228 | $1,413 | higher than 94% of 429 North Carolina places |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent B25070 | 61.0% ±24.2 pp | 48.9% | 51.1% | higher than 75% of 268 North Carolina places |
| Homeownership rate B25003 | 73.9% ±5.2 pp | 66.6% | 65.2% | higher than 64% of 524 North Carolina places |
| Median age B01002 | 36.9 years ±2.8 | 39.1 years | 38.9 years | lower than 72% of 515 North Carolina places |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor’s degree or higher B15003 | 51.6% ±9.4 pp | 35.7% | 35.7% | higher than 84% of 395 North Carolina places |
| Poverty rate B17001 | 5.5% ±2.3 pp | 13.0% | 12.5% | lower than 91% of 249 North Carolina places |
| People without health insurance B27010 | 8.8% ±3.7 pp | 9.9% | 8.4% | lower than 66% of 238 North Carolina places |
| Households with a broadband subscription B28002 | 95.8% ±1.7 pp | 90.1% | 91.0% | higher than 87% of 520 North Carolina places |
| Unemployment rate (civilian labor force) B23025 | 2.8% ±2.4 pp · low precision | 4.7% | 5.2% | Not ranked: low precision |
| Foreign-born residents B05002 | 2.8% ±1.4 pp | 9.1% | 14.1% | lower than 96% of 134 North Carolina places |
| Jobs located in the place per 100 residents LODES 8.4 / PEP | 46.9 | — | — | lower than 51% of 397 North Carolina places |
| Change in local jobs since 2019 LODES 8.4 | +37.6% | — | — | higher than 92% of 363 North Carolina places |
| Workers who work from home B08301 | 26.6% ±7.0 pp | 16.3% | 15.1% | higher than 82% of 195 North Carolina places |
| Commutes of 45 minutes or longer B08303 | 14.0% ±7.1 pp · low precision | 13.9% | 16.5% | Not ranked: low precision |
| Households without a vehicle B08201 | 2.4% ±1.9 pp · low precision | 5.3% | 8.4% | Not ranked: low precision |
Positions compare Surf City with North Carolina places in this directory whose estimate has a coefficient of variation of 30% or less (survey measures) or a published PEP value. The marker runs from the lowest value (left) to the highest (right); it is a description, not a score or a recommendation. 3 measures are shown in grey because the survey margin of error is too wide to rank reliably.
How many people live in Surf City?
The latest official estimate is 5,142 residents on July 1, 2025. It ranks 4,815th by population nationally and 144th in North Carolina among this directory’s PEP places. Population changed by 179 residents between the 2024 and 2025 estimates. These are annual estimates, not census enumerations.
| Reference date | Population | Change from previous estimate |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2020 | 3,898 | Separate from April 2020 base |
| July 1, 2021 | 4,106 | +208 |
| July 1, 2022 | 4,480 | +374 |
| July 1, 2023 | 4,783 | +303 |
| July 1, 2024 | 4,963 | +180 |
| July 1, 2025 | 5,142 | +179 |
From the revised April 2020 base to July 2025, the change is +1,272 residents (32.9%). This is a within-vintage comparison. Boundary adjustments can affect both the estimates and their interpretation.
Download this population chart (SVG) · Official population release
Where are the boundaries?
- Entity and stable identifier
- Surf City town, North Carolina · Incorporated town · 3766040
- Counties or equivalents · 2025 boundaries
- Onslow County ; Pender County
- Metropolitan or micropolitan context · July 2023 delineations
- Jacksonville, NC — Metropolitan Statistical Area ; Wilmington, NC — Metropolitan Statistical Area County associations use Census PEP county place parts. Each county is matched by FIPS code to the official CBSA list; a city can span several counties or statistical areas. A missing association can reflect an area outside a CBSA or changed county codes between vintages. City figures on this page remain place-level statistics.
- Land area
- 7.7 square miles · 2025 Gazetteer
- Water area
- 2.3 square miles · 2025 Gazetteer
- Approximate population density
- 669 residents per square mile of land
- Internal point
- 34.437326°, -77.534942° · Census geographic reference point
Density divides the July 2025 estimate by 2025 Gazetteer land area, so it is approximate. The internal point is a locator, not an address. Census place profile reference .
Income and poverty
| Measure / survey universe | City estimate ± MOE | State estimate ± MOE | U.S. estimate ± MOE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income Households · USD/year | $81,433 ±$12,692 | $72,388 ±$324 | $80,734 ±$166 |
| Per-capita income Total population · USD/year | $49,611 ±$5,845 | $41,385 ±$211 | $44,673 ±$122 |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty level | 241 ±100 | 5.5% ±2.3 pp |
Household income combines the incomes of everyone in a household; per-capita income divides all income by every resident. The poverty rate is 5.5% (±2.3 percentage points) under the official Census definition.
Home values, rent and tenure
| Measure / survey universe | City estimate ± MOE | State estimate ± MOE | U.S. estimate ± MOE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median owner-occupied home value Owner-occupied housing units · USD | $512,300 ±$56,566 | $288,900 ±$1,086 | $332,700 ±$236 |
| Median gross rent Renter-occupied units paying cash rent · USD/month | $1,707 ±$691 | $1,228 ±$5 | $1,413 ±$2 |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Owner occupied | 1,319 ±162 | 73.9% ±5.2 pp |
| Renter occupied | 465 ±165 | 26.1% ±8.9 pp |
Owner-occupied units make up 73.9% of occupied housing. Gross rent includes estimated tenant-paid utilities and home values are owners’ own estimates; both cover 2020–2024 leases and homes rather than current listings. The median home value is 6.3 times the median household income.
See housing units, occupancy, rent burden and homeowner costs .
Monthly rent by bedroom count
| Bedrooms | Monthly gross rent | 90% margin of error | Precision |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| 1 bedroom | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,067 | ±$352 | Estimate with MOE |
| 3 bedrooms | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,286 | ±$910 | Estimate with MOE |
| 5 or more bedrooms | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Census table B25031 describes renter-occupied units paying cash rent within this exact place geography. Gross rent includes contract rent and estimated tenant-paid utilities. These survey medians include existing leases across 2020–2024; they are not current apartment listings. Missing categories stay unavailable, and open-ended medians remain ranges. Small bedroom categories can have large margins of error. Download source values and provenance .
Employment among residents
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| In the labor force | 2,358 ±222 | 66.4% ±5.0 pp |
| Not in the labor force | 1,191 ±202 | 33.6% ±5.4 pp |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian employed | 2,130 ±213 | 97.2% ±0.4 pp |
| Civilian unemployed | 62 ±52 · low precision | 2.8% ±2.4 pp · low precision |
These estimates describe residents of Surf City wherever they work; jobs at workplaces inside the city appear under jobs located in Surf City. They are 2020–2024 averages, not a current monthly unemployment rate.
Which industries employ residents?
Education, health care and social assistance is the largest of the published broad industry groups among employed residents: 27.7% (589 people; ±8.6 percentage points). The estimate covers residents’ industries wherever they work, rather than employers located inside the place.
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting and mining | 16 ±16 · low precision | 0.8% ±0.7 pp · low precision |
| Construction | 182 ±115 · low precision | 8.5% ±5.3 pp · low precision |
| Manufacturing | 70 ±45 · low precision | 3.3% ±2.1 pp · low precision |
| Wholesale trade | 9 ±21 · low precision | 0.4% ±1.0 pp · low precision |
| Retail trade | 253 ±133 · low precision | 11.9% ±6.2 pp · low precision |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 53 ±42 · low precision | 2.5% ±2.0 pp · low precision |
| Information | 51 ±41 · low precision | 2.4% ±1.9 pp · low precision |
| Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing | 248 ±125 · low precision | 11.6% ±5.7 pp |
| Professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste services | 346 ±128 | 16.2% ±5.8 pp |
| Education, health care and social assistance | 589 ±193 | 27.7% ±8.6 pp |
| Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services | 140 ±66 | 6.6% ±3.0 pp |
| Other services, except public administration | 51 ±33 · low precision | 2.4% ±1.5 pp · low precision |
| Public administration | 122 ±86 · low precision | 5.7% ±4.0 pp · low precision |
Occupations among employed residents
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Management, business, science and arts | 1,088 ±223 | 51.1% ±9.1 pp |
| Service occupations | 328 ±141 | 15.4% ±6.4 pp |
| Sales and office | 360 ±127 | 16.9% ±5.7 pp |
| Natural resources, construction and maintenance | 215 ±120 · low precision | 10.1% ±5.5 pp · low precision |
| Production, transportation and material moving | 139 ±94 · low precision | 6.5% ±4.4 pp · low precision |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Management occupations | 297 ±133 | 13.9% ±6.1 pp |
| Computer and mathematical occupations | 100 ±90 · low precision | 4.7% ±4.2 pp · low precision |
| Educational instruction and library occupations | 181 ±119 · low precision | 8.5% ±5.5 pp · low precision |
| Health practitioners and technical occupations | 177 ±115 · low precision | 8.3% ±5.3 pp · low precision |
| Sales and related occupations | 219 ±117 · low precision | 10.3% ±5.4 pp · low precision |
| Transportation occupations | 56 ±55 · low precision | 2.6% ±2.6 pp · low precision |
The detailed groups are subsets of the broad groups and should not be added to them.
How residents get to work
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 1,487 ±259 | 65.7% ±9.6 pp |
| Carpooled | 130 ±83 · low precision | 5.7% ±3.6 pp · low precision |
| Public transportation | 0 ±14 · low precision | 0.0% ±0.6 pp · low precision |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | 0 ±14 · low precision | 0.0% ±0.6 pp · low precision |
| Motorcycle | 0 ±14 · low precision | 0.0% ±0.6 pp · low precision |
| Bicycle | 8 ±13 · low precision | 0.4% ±0.6 pp · low precision |
| Walked | 38 ±50 · low precision | 1.7% ±2.2 pp · low precision |
| Other means | 0 ±14 · low precision | 0.0% ±0.6 pp · low precision |
| Worked from home | 602 ±168 | 26.6% ±7.0 pp |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 minutes | 614 ±182 | 36.9% ±9.2 pp |
| 15–29 minutes | 328 ±143 | 19.7% ±8.0 pp |
| 30–44 minutes | 489 ±237 | 29.4% ±13.5 pp |
| 45–59 minutes | 192 ±121 · low precision | 11.5% ±7.0 pp · low precision |
| 60 minutes or longer | 40 ±27 · low precision | 2.4% ±1.6 pp · low precision |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available | 43 ±35 · low precision | 2.4% ±1.9 pp · low precision |
Travel times cover workers who did not work from home. Vehicle availability is counted per household, not per driver.
Households and residents
Median age is 36.9 years (±2.8). The demographic profile covers age groups, race and Hispanic origin, household types, nativity, languages, education and moves, each compared with North Carolina and the U.S.
How many jobs are located in Surf City?
Employers in Surf City reported 2,242 jobs in 2023, +37.6% compared with 2019 (1,629 jobs). That is 46.9 jobs for every 100 residents in the July 2023 population estimate. These are jobs at workplaces inside the city limits, wherever the workers live, unlike resident employment figures.
| Industry | Jobs | Share of local jobs | North Carolina share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and food services | 654 | 29.2% | 9.1% |
| Retail trade | 597 | 26.6% | 11.3% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 181 | 8.1% | 1.5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 171 | 7.6% | 7.0% |
| Public administration | 153 | 6.8% | 4.8% |
| Construction | 118 | 5.3% | 5.5% |
| Health care and social assistance | 57 | 2.5% | 13.9% |
| Finance and insurance | 49 | 2.2% | 4.7% |
| Manufacturing | 41 | 1.8% | 10.0% |
| Educational services | 40 | 1.8% | 8.1% |
| Wholesale trade | 37 | 1.7% | 4.4% |
| Administrative, support and waste management services | 36 | 1.6% | 6.9% |
| Other services, except public administration | 36 | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 35 | 1.6% | 3.8% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 33 | 1.5% | 1.7% |
| Information | 3 | 0.1% | 1.8% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 1 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Group | Jobs | Share | North Carolina share |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,250 a month or less | 739 | 33.0% | 18.1% |
| $1,251 to $3,333 a month | 749 | 33.4% | 27.5% |
| More than $3,333 a month | 754 | 33.6% | 54.4% |
| Age 29 or younger | 817 | 36.4% | 22.7% |
| Age 30 to 54 | 983 | 43.8% | 53.1% |
| Age 55 or older | 442 | 19.7% | 24.3% |
Accommodation and food services is the largest sector for jobs located in Surf City (29.2% of local jobs, compared with 9.1% statewide). Earnings bands describe what each job pays per month, not household income, and a worker can hold more than one job.
Source: Census LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (LODES) 8.4, workplace area characteristics, all jobs, second-quarter reference date. Census blocks are summed to 2024 place boundaries. Includes private, state and local government and federal civilian jobs; excludes self-employment, military and informal work. Counts include confidentiality noise and are less precise for small places.
Nearby station climate normals
No station in the retained NOAA release meets our complete standard-normal criteria within 25 km of this place’s Census internal point. We leave local climate values unavailable. Use NOAA’s station lookup to inspect other locations and their coverage.
Check a specific address before moving
City averages help compare places. A particular home’s school assignment, transit service and flood-map coverage need checks at the address.
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center — search the address, read the effective map and its date, and check any map changes. An unmapped location does not establish an absence of flood risk.
- NCES public school district directory — find district contact information, then use the district’s official address locator or enrollment office to confirm school assignment. A city name or district boundary alone does not assign a school.
- FCC National Broadband Map — check reported service at the exact location, then confirm availability and terms with the provider.
- Check the official transit operator’s route map and timetable for the address and your actual travel hours; the citywide commuting shares above do not measure service on a particular street.
Sources and data notes
Population: Census PEP Vintage 2025, published May 14, 2026. Survey measures: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates, published January 29, 2026, dollar figures in 2024 dollars. Geography: Census 2025 Gazetteer, with simplified 2024 state outlines for the locator. Statistical estimates and derived values use the same retained records in profiles, comparison, filters and downloads.
Climate uses NOAA 1991–2020 station normals (v1.0.1); jobs located in the city use LEHD LODES 8.4. Crime, school assignments and hazard scores are not inferred from these datasets, and missing values are never treated as zero. Inspect original sources, read calculation details, download this place’s source observations , or submit a correction.