City Town Info

Oak Island, NC


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Oak Island, North Carolina

Introduction to Oak Island, North Carolina

Oak Island, North Carolina, in Brunswick county, is 24 miles SW of Wilmington, North Carolina and 131 miles S of Raleigh, North Carolina. The town is part of the Wilmington metropolitan statistical area. About 6,571 people live in Oak Island.

Oak Island History

Oak Island was settled by European in the early 19th century, with development beginning in 1826. Fort Caswell was built on the eastern portion of the island in 1838, and the Oak Island Lighthouse was constructed in 1889. The area became popular for fox hunting, and development of the rest of the island did not begin until the late 1930s. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel destroyed most of Oak Island, as only five buildings were left standing after the storm. However, Oak Island recovered in a short time and the Towns of Yaupon Beach and Long Beach were incorporated in 1955.

Oak Island and nearby Attractions

  • Brunswick Town State Historic Site
  • Carolina Beach State Park
  • Cape Fear Museum
  • Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
  • Oak Island Golf and Country Club

Things To Do In Oak Island

Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher State Recreational Area provide boating, fishing, hiking and swimming opportunities. Carolina Beach State Park is also popular as a picnic spot. The Cape Fear Museum is popular among those hoping to learn more about the social and cultural history of the area.

Oak Island Transportation

Flights are available from Wilmington International Airport.

Oak Island Higher Education

Cape Fear Community College, the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and Horry-Georgetown Technical College are some of the local colleges and universities.

High Points

Oak Island strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in North Carolina):

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 8%Oak Island Public Transportation Use
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. State)
Top 16%Oak Island Walking and Biking to Work
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)
Top 16%Oak Island People in Middle Class or Better

Comparative Profile of Oak Island, NC

Comparing Oak Island to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in North Carolina (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Age of the Population1010
Senior Citizens109
Male Share of the Population78
Well-Paid Single Women68
Well-Paid Single Men68
Female Share of the Population43
Racial Diversity11
Children Under 5 Years Old11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Portion of People Married89
Average Household Size12

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People in Middle Class or Better69
People Above Poverty68
Median Family Income68
College Educated Adults57

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work89
Working at Home78
Public Transportation Use710
Short Commute Times43

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing1010
Housing Recently Built109
Affordability of Property Taxes73
People Living Alone54
Affordability of Rents31
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals12

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime47
Low Property Crime47
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