Brunswick County, North Carolina Real Estate Investing Guide

Brunswick County is in southeastern/coastal North Carolina, directly south of Wilmington and along the Atlantic coast (often marketed as the “Brunswick Islands” barrier-island stretch). visitbrunswickbeaches.com+1

Major cities/towns and markets (investor-relevant):

  • Leland (largest community; Wilmington-commuter/suburban demand) Wikipedia
  • Southport, Shallotte, Oak Island, Calabash, Bolivia (county seat), plus beach towns like Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Bald Head Island brunswickcountync.gov+2ncbrunswick.com+2

Why investors watch this county (non-hype):

  • Strong in-migration / growth (demand tailwind; especially retirement and coastal relocation). Census.gov+1
  • Wilmington adjacency (Leland/Belville area can behave like a commuter submarket). Wikipedia
  • Tourism + beach lifestyle supports premium pricing/rents in specific coastal pockets (but seasonality and HOA/insurance matter). visitbrunswickbeaches.com+1

Population & Demographic Overview

  • Current population: 167,112 (U.S. Census estimate, July 1, 2024). Census.gov
  • Growth since 2020: +22.3% (Census estimate base → 2024). Census.gov
  • Median household income: $74,034 (2019–2023, inflation-adjusted). Census.gov+1
  • Age skew (tenant profile signal): Brunswick has a high share of 65+ residents (35%) and a high median age. Census.gov+1

General tenant demographics (investor lens):

  • Mix of workforce renters (healthcare, education, services) and retiree-driven households (which can increase demand for smaller/low-maintenance housing). Census Reporter+1
  • In commuter pockets near Wilmington (e.g., Leland), you may see more working-family renter demand relative to purely coastal/tourist zones. Wikipedia+1

Rental Market & Long-Term Rental Potential

HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2025) – Brunswick County HUD Metro FMR Area:

Typical monthly rent range (asking-rent snapshot using Zillow listings):

  • 2BR homes: commonly ~$1,500–$1,900+ in many newer communities/managed rentals (varies by town and proximity to coast/Wilmington). Zillow+1
  • 3BR homes: commonly ~$1,800–$2,300+ depending on size, neighborhood, and coastal proximity. Zillow+1

Primary rent drivers:

Common tenant profile: Workforce renters in inland/commuter nodes; mixed seasonal and longer-term demand nearer the beach towns (strategy should match the submarket).

Fix-and-Flip & Value-Add Opportunities

County pricing / liquidity signal (Redfin, Oct 2025):

  • Median sale price: $360,000 Redfin
  • Days on Market: ~70 days average Redfin

Price dispersion (useful for entry/exit planning):

  • Coastal/amenity zips can run much higher (example: 28465 median sale price ~$625K, Oct 2025). Redfin
  • Inland or non-beach areas can be meaningfully lower (example: 28479 ~$355K, Oct 2025; 28422 ~$350K, Oct 2025). Redfin+1

Investor focus (value-add logic):

  • Entry price points: often best created by buying dated homes below the local median in submarkets with proven resale demand. Redfin
  • Renovation upside: typically strongest where you can reposition an older property to “turnkey” standards without over-improving beyond neighborhood comps.
  • Exit liquidity: ~70 DOM suggests buyers are active but selective—tight scopes + realistic ARVs matter. Redfin

Local Economy & Employment Base

Major stability drivers commonly referenced locally include:

  • Healthcare: Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center (Bolivia area). novanthealth.org
  • Education / public sector: Brunswick County Schools (states it’s the largest employer in the county). bcswan.net
  • Tourism / hospitality & retail: coastal tourism is a major economic component (islands/beaches and visitor economy). visitbrunswickbeaches.com+1

These drivers support rental stability (workforce demand) and help explain why resale demand is often strongest in growth corridors and desirable coastal nodes.

Why Invest in Brunswick County?

  • Fast population growth relative to many NC counties Census.gov+1
  • Coastal lifestyle appeal (location-specific premiums) visitbrunswickbeaches.com+1
  • Wilmington-adjacent commuter demand in parts of the county Wikipedia+1
  • Clear strategy lanes: long-term rentals in growth nodes + selective value-add flips with disciplined submarket comps Redfin+1

Buying or Selling Property in Lenoir County?

JND Real Estate Group, LLC works with local and out-of-state investors looking to buy discounted properties in Lenoir County, North Carolina. If you are searching for off-market deals, long-term rental properties, or fix-and-flip opportunities, contact us today to learn more.

Contact Information:

Janice Shearin – 252-326-1197
Dwight Cox – (919) 944-7248

jdrealestategroup@yahoo.com

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Important Investment Disclosure

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. All market data, population statistics, rental estimates, pricing information, and other metrics are derived from third-party sources believed to be reliable; however, JND Real Estate Group, LLC makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such information. Real estate markets are subject to change, and conditions may vary by property, neighborhood, and time. Investors are strongly encouraged to conduct their own independent due diligence, verify all data independently, and consult with licensed professionals prior to making any investment decision. JND Real Estate Group, LLC assumes no liability for investment decisions made based on the information presented on this website.