HomeNorth CarolinaCarteret County
Carteret County, North Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Carteret County, North Carolina had an estimated 70,259 residents on July 1, 2024, up 3.8 percent since the 2020 census base of 67,687, across 506 square miles. County output reached $3.74 bn in 2024, 2,249 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 60 7(a) approvals worth $38.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Carteret County
How many people live in Carteret County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202469,148
- Households31,977
- Average household size2.16
- Median household income$72,322
- Median age50.5
- Median gross rent$1,108 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$333,300
- Home value to household income4.6 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher34.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree12.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over53,254
- Population under 1811,651
- Share under 1816.8 percent
- Population 65 and over18,665
- Share 65 and over27.0 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6438,832
- Civilian labor force31,878
- Unemployment rate4.0 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over55.4 percent
- Rank by population among North Carolina counties39th of 100
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included793rd of 3,222
Carteret County is the 39th largest of 100 North Carolina counties by population. A median home costs 4.6 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 27.0 percent against 16.8 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Carteret County
Is Carteret County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202470,259
- Census 2020 base population67,687
- Population change since the 2020 census base3.80 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024547
- Births, 2024483
- Deaths, 20241,022
- Natural change, 2024-539
- Net domestic migration, 2024937
- Net international migration, 2024151
- Total net migration, 20241,088
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20244,385
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents728th of 3,144
The county has grown 3.80 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Carteret County
Where are people moving to Carteret County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving2,509
- People arriving, from those returns4,614
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,039
- Net household movement470
- Adjusted gross income arriving$336.1 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$177.2 m
- Average income of an arriving household$133,945
- Average income of a leaving household$77,930
- Largest single originCraven County (243 households)
- Largest single destinationCraven County (314 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craven County | 243 | 450 | $13.8 m |
| Wake County | 236 | 455 | $43.5 m |
| Onslow County | 204 | 389 | $11.2 m |
| Pitt County | 78 | 137 | $5.6 m |
| Johnston County | 59 | 105 | $5.7 m |
| New Hanover County | 55 | 74 | $4.7 m |
| Guilford County | 40 | 66 | $7.1 m |
| Nash County | 36 | 75 | $3.2 m |
Households arriving report $56,015 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Craven County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Carteret County
What is the Carteret County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$3.74 bn
- County GDP, 2023$3.49 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20247.1 percent
- GDP change over five years47.3 percent
- Rank by GDP among the North Carolina areas BEA publishes36th of 100
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes856th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$54,078
Output grew 7.1 percent in the latest year and 47.3 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Carteret County
Employment by industry in Carteret County
- Covered employment, annual average25,022
- Establishments reporting2,721
- Average annual pay$45,708
- Average weekly wage$879
- Accommodation and food services, employment4,617
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$25,243
- Retail trade, employment4,343
- Retail trade, average annual pay$33,967
- Health care and social assistance, employment2,303
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$59,778
- Construction, employment1,627
- Construction, average annual pay$52,230
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment1,222
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment961
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and food services | 4,617 | 290 | $25,243 |
| Retail trade | 4,343 | 380 | $33,967 |
| Health care and social assistance | 2,303 | 261 | $59,778 |
| Construction | 1,627 | 360 | $52,230 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,222 | 178 | $39,697 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 961 | 294 | $82,218 |
| Other services, except public administration | 930 | 234 | $36,025 |
| Manufacturing | 883 | 57 | $50,007 |
Accommodation and food services is the largest private sector at 4,617 jobs, 18.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Carteret County
How many businesses are in Carteret County?
- Establishments, all industries2,249
- Employment at those establishments21,789
- Annual payroll$932.4 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents32.5
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Carteret County
Building permits in Carteret County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024935
- Declared construction value permitted$279.4 m
- Single family units authorized559
- Multifamily units authorized376
- Multifamily share of units40.2 percent
- Average declared value per unit$298,796
- Units authorized per 1,000 households29.2
Multifamily is 40.2 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Carteret County
SBA loans in Carteret County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded60
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$38.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$637,838
- Median 7(a) approval$350,000
- 10th percentile approval$28,050
- 90th percentile approval$1,377,800
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)478
- Jobs per approval8.0
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active28
- Distinct industries receiving approvals41
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer31.7 percent
- Loans on real estate terms19
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter39
- Franchise loans2
- Franchise share of approvals3.3 percent
- Leading industry by approval countHotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (4)
- Most active lenderNortheast Bank (8)
- 504 approvals recorded13
- 504 gross approval dollars$13.1 m
- Average 504 approval$1,009,308
- Median 504 approval$568,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval15.1
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved14.9
- Most active CDCBusiness Expansion Funding Corporation (9)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$51.4 m
The average approval of $637,838 sits well above the median of $350,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. 31.7 percent of approvals run on real estate terms of 240 months or more, so this is a market where SBA credit is buying buildings, not just funding operations.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Carteret County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Carteret County
Do SBA loans in Carteret County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded12
- Paid in full12
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure37
- Status: Paid in full12
- Status: Cancelled10
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed1
Only 12 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Carteret County
SBA lending by place in Carteret County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending8
- Morehead City, approvals20
- Newport, approvals20
- Beaufort, approvals12
- Cape Carteret, approvals3
- Atlantic Beach, approvals2
- Cedar Point, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Morehead City | 20 | $10,678,500 |
| Newport | 20 | $10,649,700 |
| Beaufort | 12 | $8,760,200 |
| Cape Carteret | 3 | $4,681,500 |
| Atlantic Beach | 2 | $2,630,400 |
| Cedar Point | 1 | $675,000 |
| Bogue | 1 | $180,000 |
| Stella | 1 | $15,000 |
Morehead City accounts for 20 approvals against 20 in Newport. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Carteret County
How large is Carteret County?
- Land area506 sq mi
- Rank by land area among North Carolina counties42nd of 100
- Width, east to west64.1 mi
- Height, north to south33.7 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary4
- Residents per square mile of land137
- Establishments per square mile4.44
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Carteret County
Flood risk in Carteret County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Carteret County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 370043
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 9
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book12
- Of those, participating in the NFIP12
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 5
- Communities carrying a CRS class9
- Radon levels in Carteret County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Carteret County (community 370043), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 9, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Carteret County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 5, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Carteret County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Carteret County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202469,148
- Households31,977
- Average household size2.16
- Median household income$72,322
- Median age50.5
Common questions
Carteret County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Carteret County, North Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 70,259 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 69,148, in 31,977 households, ranking 39th of 100 North Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Carteret County's population growing?
The population has grown 3.80 percent since the 2020 census base of 67,687, to 70,259 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 483 births against 1,022 deaths, with net migration of 1,088. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Carteret County?
$72,322. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $333,300, which is 4.6 times income, and median gross rent is $1,108 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Carteret County?
2,249 establishments, employing 21,789 people with an annual payroll of $932.4 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Carteret County?
Accommodation and food services is the largest private sector at 4,617 jobs, 18.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 25,022 jobs at an average annual pay of $45,708, or $879 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Carteret County?
60 7(a) approvals totaling $38.3 m since FY2020, across 28 lenders, with a median approval of $350,000, plus 13 504 approvals worth $13.1 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Carteret County?
935 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $279.4 m. Multifamily was 40.2 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Carteret County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Carteret County come from?
The largest single origin is Craven County, with 243 households. Arriving households report an average income of $133,945 against $77,930 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Carteret County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Carteret County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Carteret County
Cities and places in Carteret.
18 Census places lie wholly or partly in Carteret County. All 18 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morehead City | town | 9,806 | 20 | Wholly in this county |
| Beaufort | town | 4,689 | 12 | Wholly in this county |
| Newport | town | 4,441 | 20 | Wholly in this county |
| Emerald Isle | town | 3,934 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Cape Carteret | town | 2,703 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Cedar Point | town | 1,917 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Broad Creek | CDP | 1,836 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Atlantic Beach | town | 1,719 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Pine Knoll Shores | town | 1,351 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Brandywine Bay | CDP | 1,313 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Harkers Island | CDP | 1,060 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Peletier | town | 1,009 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bogue | town | 756 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Atlantic | CDP | 522 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Marshallberg | CDP | 398 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Gloucester | CDP | 385 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Davis | CDP | 261 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Indian Beach | town | 211 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 1 of the county's 60 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Carteret County, the largest being Stella (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.