There’s a reason Brunswick County keeps showing up on moving lists, housing reports, and conversations about where to live along the North Carolina coast. Actually, there are quite a few.
You’ve got beautiful beaches nearby, small coastal towns with actual personality, plenty to do outdoors, and easy access to both Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. Add in a growing selection of new homes and communities, and it’s easy to see why more buyers are taking a closer look at this corner of North Carolina. And the growth numbers back it up.
Brunswick County Is Growing. Fast.
Brunswick County has been one of the fastest-growing areas in North Carolina for several years, and recently, one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county’s estimated population reached 174,702 in 2025, up nearly 28% from 2020.
From 2024 to 2025 alone, Brunswick County grew another 4.7%, ranking sixth in the nation for percentage population growth among counties with at least 20,000 residents.
Housing is growing right along with it. Between 2023 and 2024, Brunswick County’s housing stock increased 6.4%, the second-highest percentage increase of any U.S. county during that period. In other words, people aren’t just vacationing here. They’re moving here.
Calabash: Coastal Living Without the Beach-Town Crowds
Calabash has long been known for seafood, waterfront restaurants and that easygoing little fishing-town feel. But it’s also becoming a popular home base for buyers who want to live close to the beach without necessarily living right on top of it.
Sunset Beach is just minutes away. Ocean Isle Beach is nearby too. The Intracoastal Waterway, boating, golf, and plenty of local restaurants are all part of everyday life.
And when you want something bigger, North Myrtle Beach is just down the road. That makes Calabash especially appealing for buyers looking for new homes in North Carolina near the beach while still wanting room to breathe.
Sunset Beach: Your Neighborhood Beach
There are beach towns that feel like they belong entirely to vacationers, and then there’s Sunset Beach. Yes, summer is busy. It’s the beach. That comes with the territory.
But the area still has a quieter, more residential feel than many larger coastal destinations. Outside of the beach itself, there’s boating, kayaking, golf, trails, local restaurants and plenty of ways to spend time outside.
For people living in nearby Calabash, it’s almost like having a neighborhood beach. No oceanfront mortgage required.
Right Between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach
One of southern Brunswick County’s biggest advantages is its location. You don’t really have to choose between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach because you can enjoy access to both.
The Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach metro area grew 3.2% from 2024 to 2025, ranking second among U.S. metro areas for percentage growth. The Wilmington metro grew 2.6%, ranking seventh.
That puts this part of Brunswick County right between two of the fastest-growing coastal markets in the country. Head south for North Myrtle Beach shopping, dining, entertainment and attractions. Head north for Wilmington’s restaurants, healthcare, airport, businesses and historic downtown.
Then come home to somewhere a little quieter. Not a bad setup.
Why Buyers Keep Looking at Southern Brunswick County
There isn’t one type of buyer moving to the area anymore. Some are relocating full-time. Some are still working remotely. Some want to be within reach of Wilmington or Myrtle Beach. Others are buying a second home now with plans to spend more time here later.
Families, couples, singles and people planning their next chapter are all finding different reasons to make the move. What they tend to have in common is pretty simple: they want to be near the coast without feeling like they live in a vacation rental district.
Southern Brunswick County checks a lot of those boxes.
New Homes Near the North Carolina Coast
Growth has also created more opportunities for buyers searching for North Carolina new homes. Communities throughout Calabash and southern Brunswick County offer everything from low-maintenance homes to larger residences and custom home opportunities, giving buyers more choices than they might expect from a smaller coastal market.
Kingfish Bay in Calabash is part of that growth, offering new homes in a coastal setting near Sunset Beach while keeping Wilmington and Myrtle Beach within reach.
You can have the beach nearby, the restaurants and activities you want, access to two larger coastal cities, and still come home to a place that feels a little more relaxed. For anyone searching for one of the best places to buy a home near the beach in North Carolina, southern Brunswick County deserves a spot near the top of the list.
