Median Age
60 Years
Largest Age Group
65-74 Years
Approximately 24% of Residents
Under 20
11%
Over 65
40%
Oak Island
Oak Island, NC Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,310
Population
16,695
Renter Mix
18% Rent
A calm, low-key beach town on the coast of the Carolinas
Beach
•
Scenic
•
Fishing
•
Great Location
•
Peaceful
•
Oak Island is a small beach town on the southern coast of North Carolina, about 40 minutes southwest of Wilmington. Spread across miles of shoreline, Oak Island features sandy beaches, fishing piers, boat ramps, and marinas, making it the ultimate location for watersports from fishing to boating. Along with relaxing on the beach, residents play mini-golf or ride their bikes to grab an ice cream on a summer day. When you move into your beach house or waterfront apartment, be sure to check out the Oak Island Nature Center to see some interesting displays on fossils and more. After a day of fun, try one of the local eateries serving up casual fare like hamburgers and fried seafood. Oak Island has been attracting tourists since the 19th century, but beaches here tend to be uncrowded, great for renters looking for a coastal oasis without constant excitement.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$80,038
Average: $102,300
Education
6,322
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
7,292
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Oak Island has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
18%
Non-Renters
82%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
35%
Other Education
65%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Oak Island, NC is $1,316 for one bedroom, $1,485 for two bedrooms, and $1,778 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Oak Island has decreased by -6.6% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,316/month
804 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Oak Island, NC is for everyday living.
Not Walkable
Walkability
10
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
30
/ 100
Scores provided by
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Oak Island Nature Center
- North Carolina Maritime Museum-Southport
Airports
- Wilmington International
Top Apartments in Oak Island
Houses for Rent in Oak Island
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.