NC

Real Estate in Brunswick County, NC

45 miles of Brunswick Islands coast, six island beaches from Oak Island to Sunset Beach, in the fastest-growing county in North Carolina.

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Living in Brunswick County

Local to Coastal Realty works the Brunswick Islands: Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Caswell Beach, Sunset Beach, and Bald Head Island. The Brunswick Islands tourism board counts 45 miles of coastline across six island beaches, and each one has its own character, from the piers and splash pad on Oak Island to the car-free streets of Bald Head Island. The mainland towns of Southport, Shallotte, Leland, and Calabash fill in the rest of the map.

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The Beaches, Town by Town

Oak Island runs 12 miles long and averages about a mile across, with a 10-mile beach, two ocean piers, the Oak Island Nature Center, a splash pad at Middleton Park, and a skate park named for Kevin Ball. Seven designated paddle trails, from two to seven miles, wind through the protected waterways behind Oak Island and Holden Beach. Caswell Beach, at the east end of the island, is the quieter neighbor, and it holds the Oak Island Lighthouse, which is free to climb with a reservation.

Holden Beach is known for fresh seafood, boat tours, and a waterpark and mini golf on its causeway. Ocean Isle Beach has a pier, mini golf, and the Museum of Coastal Carolina. Sunset Beach sits next to Bird Island Reserve, more than 1,200 acres of salt marsh and tidal creeks, and the Kindred Spirit Mailbox in the dunes, where visitors leave notes in the notebooks. Bald Head Island can only be reached by ferry or private boat, and cars are not allowed on the island.

Beyond the Beach: Parks, History, and Preserves

Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow marks the spot where the Cape Fear region's first established town was founded in 1726. British troops burned the town in 1776 and it was never rebuilt, and Fort Anderson went up on the site in 1862. Admission is free. Out on Bald Head Island, Old Baldy is the state's oldest lighthouse, and visitors can climb its 108 steps.

For time outdoors, Brunswick Nature Park near Leland covers more than 900 acres with trails for walking, biking, and horseback riding, plus a kayak launch. Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve near Leland has seven miles of maintained trails. Green Swamp Preserve, off Highway 211 near Supply, covers 15,000 acres and shelters at least 14 species of insect-eating plants, including Venus flytraps. Shallotte's Riverwalk, opened in 2021, adds a third-of-a-mile boardwalk along the river, and the North Carolina Maritime Museum sits in Southport.

Seafood, Golf, and Time on the Water

Calabash gave the coast its signature style of seafood, fried light and crisp, and you can find it throughout the county alongside waterfront dining that leans on local catch. The water is the county's real economic engine, with charter boats and rental vessels, marinas supporting fishing and boating from town to town, and boat tours out of Holden Beach. On the golf side, the tourism board counts over 20 championship courses and calls the region "NC's Golf Coast."

A County That Is Growing Fast

Brunswick County was the fastest-growing county in North Carolina between April 2020 and July 2024, according to the state demographer, adding about 33,000 residents for a 24 percent increase and reaching roughly 169,000 people. The Census Bureau's next estimates showed it growing another 4.7 percent in the year to July 2025, the largest percentage increase of any North Carolina county and the seventh-largest in the nation.

Growth like that changes what is on the market and how quickly it moves, so I look at current sales instead of guessing. If you are thinking about where this county fits next to nearby coastal markets, compare it with Wilmington to the north and North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach to the south.

Where to Eat and Drink

Here are places worth knowing in Brunswick County, organized by town and drawn from the area's official local guides. Menus, hours, and ownership change, so check before you go.

Oak Island and Caswell Beach

  • Island Way (Oak Island). Steaks and seafood with 18 large windows.
  • KoKo Cabana (Oak Island). Near the Oak Island Pier; seafood, burgers, tacos.
  • Shagger Jacks (Oak Island). Island pub feel with seasonal and daily dinner specials and a kids' menu.
  • 49th Street Grill, Bar & Patio (Oak Island). Casual island spot with live music Thursday through Saturday in spring and summer.
  • Lazy Turtle Oceanfront Grille (Oak Island). Dog-friendly patio and tiki bar, with live music and karaoke on summer weekends.
  • Old Bridge Diner (Oak Island). Classic diner for breakfast and lunch.
  • Duffer's Pub & Grille (Oak Island Golf Club, Caswell Beach). Pub and grill with ocean views at the golf club.

Ocean Isle Beach

  • Jinks Creek Waterfront Grille (Ocean Isle Beach). Sunset views, raw oysters, and tiki bars.
  • Sharky's Restaurant (Ocean Isle Beach). Ocean Isle Beach's oldest eatery, on the Intracoastal Waterway with 200 feet of boat docking; the only one open year-round.
  • Ocean Isle Fish Company (Ocean Isle Beach). Upper-deck tiki bar with views of boats bringing fresh seafood to the dock.
  • Le Volte Oceanfront Dining (Ocean Isle Beach). One of the newest restaurants in the Brunswick Islands; upscale waterfront dining.
  • Roberto's Restaurant (Ocean Isle Beach). Serving the area since 1985: local seafood, hand-cut steaks, and Italian pasta.
  • 59 Causeway Grill (Ocean Isle Beach). Waterway views; bagels, pastries, and seasonal treats.

Holden Beach

Sunset Beach

Southport

  • Fishy Fishy Café (Southport). Seafood small plates and an outdoor deck.
  • Oliver's on the Cape Fear (Southport waterfront). Elevated Southern cooking with waterfront views.
  • The Frying Pan (Southport). Casual coast-and-South menu with views of the Oak Island Lighthouse flashing in the distance.
  • Edgewater 122 (Southport). Signature crab dip, fresh-caught seafood, and steakhouse options.
  • Mr. P's Bistro (Historic Southport). Low Country seafood in the heart of the historic district.
  • Cafe Koa (Water tower district, Southport). Near the downtown waterfront.
  • Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill (Intracoastal Waterway, Southport). Local seafood and weekend live music at the Sunset Tiki Bar and Big Deck.
  • American Fish Company (Southport Yacht Basin). Waterfront bar for sunset cocktails, with live music on weekends.
  • The Mullet Bar (Southport Yacht Basin). Live music most Thursday through Sunday evenings.
  • Cape Side Brewing (Southport). Southport's newest brewery, opened in 2026.
  • Southport Tap and Cellar (827 N. Howe St.). Taproom and cellar on Howe Street.

Calabash and Shallotte

  • Waterfront Seafood Shack (Calabash). Owns its own fishing and shrimp boats; tiki-style waterside tables.
  • Captain Nance's Seafood (Calabash). River views and Calabash-style seafood.
  • The Oyster Rock (Calabash). Outdoor oyster pit and waterside seating.
  • Beck's Restaurant (Calabash). One of the restaurants along the Calabash River.
  • The Boundary House (Calabash). One of the restaurants along the Calabash River.
  • Calabash Seafood Hut (Calabash). One of the restaurants along the Calabash River.
  • Toasted (Calabash). Loaded biscuit bottoms, chicken and waffles, and more than 50 mimosas.
  • Inlet View Bar & Grill (Shallotte). Family-owned for nearly 40 years at the mouth of the Shallotte River, with shrimp from the family's own boat.
  • Salty Cow Tavern (Shallotte). Newer waterfront spot with shareable plates, sandwiches, and cocktails.

For more places to eat and drink, browse the Brunswick Islands restaurant directory.

Buying or Selling in Brunswick County

Wilmington is nearby for the hospital, the airport, and city amenities when you need them. Property taxes are set by the county and the town, so I confirm the actual rate for a specific address before you make an offer. Coastal homes also bring questions inland homes do not, such as flood zone and insurance, and I raise those before you fall for a house. Whether you are buying a home or selling one here, get in touch and we will walk through which island actually fits. If you are moving from out of the area, start with relocating to the Carolinas, or find out what your home is worth.

Sources

The facts above come from these sources, checked in October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What towns make up the Brunswick Islands?

Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Caswell Beach, Sunset Beach, and Bald Head Island, six island beaches along 45 miles of coast, according to the Brunswick Islands tourism board.

Can you drive to Bald Head Island?

No. Bald Head Island is reachable only by ferry or private boat, and cars are not allowed on the island.

Is Brunswick County growing?

Yes. The North Carolina state demographer reports it was the fastest-growing county in the state from April 2020 to July 2024, with a 24 percent increase, and Census estimates showed it growing another 4.7 percent in the year to July 2025.

What are property taxes like in Brunswick County?

They vary by property and by town, so I confirm the rate for a specific address before you make an offer.

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