Sunset Beach | Neighborhood Guide | The McKinney Group X SERHANT.

Living in Sunset Beach, North Carolina

Sunset Beach is where timeless coastal beauty meets effortless Southern charm. Located at the southeastern tip of North Carolina’s shoreline, this peaceful barrier island offers one of the most tranquil beach experiences on the East Coast—far removed from high-rises and crowds, yet close enough to enjoy the best of the Carolinas.

With its wide, uncrowded beaches, iconic fishing pier, and legendary sunsets over Bird Island, Sunset Beach has become a haven for those seeking quiet luxury and natural serenity. It's the kind of place where morning walks on the sand, bike rides through maritime forests, and evenings on the porch are simply part of daily life.

Real estate in Sunset Beach ranges from oceanfront homes with panoramic views to tucked-away cottages and golf course communities just over the bridge. Whether you’re searching for a second home, vacation rental investment, or a full-time coastal retreat, the area offers a wide array of options that feel both elevated and grounded.

The community is tight-knit, with a deep appreciation for preservation, simplicity, and Southern hospitality. Just minutes from the shops and restaurants of Calabash and the fairways of Sea Trail and Ocean Ridge, Sunset Beach strikes a rare balance between peaceful seclusion and modern convenience. Plus, with Myrtle Beach International Airport under an hour away, it’s an accessible escape for buyers from all over the Southeast and beyond.

At The McKinney Group, we specialize in showcasing the unique lifestyle and value Sunset Beach offers. Whether buying or selling, we provide a tailored, strategic approach that matches the luxury and authenticity this coastal gem is known for.

Overview for Sunset Beach, North Carolina, NC

4,844 people live in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, where the median age is 67.7 and the average individual income is $55,847. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

4,844

Total Population

67.7 years

Median Age

Low

Population Density Population Density
This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$55,847

Average individual Income

Around Sunset Beach, North Carolina, NC

There's plenty to do around Sunset Beach, North Carolina, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

1

Car-Dependent

Walking Score

25

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Doug’s Seafood Market, SweetcakesTbc, and Sunset Slush of Sunset Beach.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Doug’s Seafood Market page on Yelp Search 121 Causeway Dr on Google Maps	Dining	4.62 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the SweetcakesTbc page on Yelp Search 7026 Beach Dr on Google Maps	Dining	2.58 miles	33 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Sunset Slush of Sunset Beach page on Yelp Search 426 Sunset Blvd S on Google Maps	Dining · $	2.42 miles	20 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Calabash Sweets and Ice Cream page on Yelp Search 9936 Beach Dr SW on Google Maps	Dining	2.71 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Movement Works page on Yelp Search 9500 Ocean Hwy W on Google Maps	Active	3.5 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Carolinas Coastal Adventure Tours page on Yelp	Active	3.58 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Sunset Beach Umbrellas Beach And Cottage Gear R... page on Yelp Search 434 Sunset Blvd S on Google Maps	Active	2.44 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Massage In Your Home page on Yelp	Beauty	2.74 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Jamie Hendricks, LMT page on Yelp Search 6810 Beach Dr Sw on Google Maps	Beauty	3.28 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Sassy Cuts page on Yelp Search 9188 Beach Drive SE on Google Maps	Beauty	2.22 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Hi-Lites Salon page on Yelp Search 925 Seaside Rd on Google Maps	Beauty	2.05 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Oceans Massage & Skin Care page on Yelp Search 7199 Beach Dr SW on Google Maps	Beauty	2.22 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the SeaSide MedSpa page on Yelp Search 10195 Beach Dr SW on Google Maps	Beauty	3.28 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Buzzed And Clipped Barbershop page on Yelp Search 6600 Beach Dr SW on Google Maps	Beauty	3.74 miles	12 reviews	4.9/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Sunset Beach, North Carolina, NC

Population Households Employment

Sunset Beach, North Carolina has 2,537 households, with an average household size of 1.91. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Sunset Beach, North Carolina do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 4,844 people call Sunset Beach, North Carolina home. The population density is 253 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

4,844

Total Population

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

67.7 years

Median Age

46 / 54%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

2,537

Total Households

1.91

Average Household Size

$55,847

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, NC

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Portfolio

Sold
$2,400,000

740 Dune Ridge Court, Surf City, NC 28445
- 6 Beds
- 7 Baths
- 3,358 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$2,325,000

738 Dune Ridge Court, Surf City, NC 28445
- 6 Beds
- 7 Baths
- 3,358 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$1,890,000

Lot 46 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 3,835 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$1,885,000

Lot 63 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$1,885,000

Lot 69 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$1,730,000

Lot 64 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$1,730,000

Lot 65 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$1,730,000

Lot 66 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$1,730,000

Lot 67 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$1,730,000

Lot 68 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
Sold
$1,320,000

404 E Blackbeard Road, Wilmington, NC 28409
- 5 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 4,030 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$1,320,000

15 Shipyard Lane, Hampstead, NC 28443
Sold
$1,250,000

402 17th Street, Sunset Beach, NC 28468
- 5 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2,326 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$1,010,000

Lot 61 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
Sold
$975,000

3960 Island Drive, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 1,859 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$885,000

Lot 56 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$885,000

Lot 57 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$885,000

Lot 58 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$885,000

Lot 59 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$885,000

Lot 60 Harbor Master Point, Wilmington, NC 28412
Sold
$730,000

2003 W Yacht Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,361 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$720,000

97 NE 19th Street, Oak Island, NC 28465
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,489 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$710,000

Lot 47 Mariners Cove Circle, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$710,000

Lot 48 Mariners Cove Circle, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$710,000

Lot 49 Mariners Cove Circle, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$710,000

Lot 52 Mariners Cove Circle, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$710,000

Lot 53 Mariners Cove Circle, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$710,000

Lot 54 Mariners Cove Circle, Wilmington, NC 28412
Sold
$691,783

569 Crown Pointe Drive, Hampstead, NC 28443
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2,884 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$690,000

104 Island Palms Drive, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 1,966 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$682,064

114 Summer Winds Place, Surf City, NC 28445
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 1,973 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$676,908

202 Planters Walk, Hampstead, NC 28443
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,689 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$665,000

144 NE 4th Street, Oak Island, NC 28465
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,474 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$644,820

4025 Watersail Drive 128, Wilmington, NC 28409
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,636 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$630,000

6502 Lowman Place SW 80, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
- 5 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2,756 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$628,700

1017 Trout Lane Unit B, Kure Beach, NC 28449
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 1,700 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$572,500

790 New River Inlet Road, Unit 206a, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,237 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$497,500

2061 Course Lane Lot 281, Surf City, NC 28445
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,817 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$475,000

Lot 43 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412
Sold
$440,000

108 Ridgepath Lane, Hubert, NC 28539
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,817 Sq.Ft.
Sold
$425,000

4173 Englishtown Road, Wallace, NC 28466
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2,310 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$420,000

Lot 36 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$420,000

Lot 38 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$420,000

Lot 39 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$420,000

Lot 41 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$400,000

Lot 34 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$390,000

Lot 30 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412
Sold
$366,500

126 S 13th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 1,529 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$359,000

Lot 19 Grand Shoreline Way, Wilmington, NC 28412
For Sale

$359,000

Lot 23 Beacons End Terrace, Wilmington, NC 28412