Sunset Beach ZIP Codes — Brunswick County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Sunset Beach, North Carolina and it is 28468. Area code: 910.

ZIP codes

19.11

sq mi land

2.03

sq mi water

910

area code

Sunset Beach, NC ZIP code map

About Sunset Beach, NC

Sunset Beach, located in North Carolina, is a picturesque coastal town known for its serene beaches and vibrant community. Nestled in Brunswick County, this charming town draws visitors with its stunning natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere. With its sandy shores and marshlands, Sunset Beach provides a perfect retreat for tourists and residents alike.

Location & geography

Sunset Beach is situated along the southeastern coast of North Carolina, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The town is near several other cities, including Ocean Isle Beach, which is just 5 miles to the northeast, and Calabash, about 6 miles to the northwest. The area encompasses a total land area of 19.11 square miles, along with an additional 2.03 square miles of water, providing a unique blend of beach and marsh environments.

Community & economy

The character of Sunset Beach is defined by its laid-back lifestyle and strong sense of community. The local economy is primarily driven by tourism, with many residents involved in hospitality and related industries that cater to visitors. Daily life in Sunset Beach revolves around outdoor activities such as fishing, beachcombing, and enjoying water sports, fostering a close-knit and active community.

Transportation

Sunset Beach is accessible via Highways 17 and 904, which connect it to other popular destinations along the coast. The nearest major airport is Wilmington International Airport, located approximately 40 miles to the north, providing air travel options for both residents and visitors. Local transit options are limited, but the town's layout makes it easy to navigate by car or bicycle.

History

Sunset Beach has a rich history dating back to its founding, with development initially driven by fishing and agriculture. The area experienced significant growth during the mid-20th century as a resort destination, attracting tourists seeking its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Notable events include the establishment of the Sunset Beach Town Council in 1990, which helped foster community governance and development.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Sunset Beach is that it is home to the last remaining beachfront cottage on the island, a testament to its coastal heritage. Additionally, the town boasts a unique 1,100-foot-long wooden fishing pier that attracts anglers and offers breathtaking sunset views.

ZIP codes for Sunset Beach, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28468	Sunset Beach	Brunswick	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,645

Population

66.2

Median age

$83,143

Median household income

$51,905

Per capita income

$337,600

Median home value

$1,251

Median monthly rent

84.7%

Home ownership

8.3%

Poverty rate

8.5%

Unemployment

5,063

Housing units

41.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

15–19

20–24

25–34

113

35–44

113

189

45–54

244

190

55–59

245

210

60–64

272

559

65–74

722

469

75–84

607

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	185	4.0%
18 and over	4,460	96.0%
65 and over	2,477	53.3%
Median age	66.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88.7%

Two or more races 4%

Black or African American 3.4%

Hispanic or Latino 2.1%

Asian 1%

Other race 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	4,210	88.7%
Two or more races	191	4%
Black or African American	160	3.4%
Hispanic or Latino	102	2.1%
Asian	49	1%
Other race	35	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 6.2%

$10k–$15k 1.9%

$15k–$25k 10.8%

$25k–$35k 6.1%

$35k–$50k 6.1%

$50k–$75k 14.4%

$75k–$100k 17.5%

$100k–$150k 17.7%

$150k–$200k 8.5%

$200k+ 10.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.2%
$10k–$15k	1.9%
$15k–$25k	10.8%
$25k–$35k	6.1%
$35k–$50k	6.1%
$50k–$75k	14.4%
$75k–$100k	17.5%
$100k–$150k	17.7%
$150k–$200k	8.5%
$200k+	10.8%
Median income	$83,143

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.1%

$50k–$100k 2.8%

$100k–$150k 3.6%

$150k–$200k 15.1%

$200k–$300k 19.1%

$300k–$500k 41.3%

$500k–$1M 16.3%

$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$337,600
Median rent / month	$1,251
Owner occupied	84.7%
Renter occupied	15.3%
Vacant	54.8%
Single-family detached	55.3%
Large apartment buildings	2.9%
Mobile homes	12.6%
Median rooms	4.7
Avg household size (owned)	1.87

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	7.7%
2000–2009	33.1%
1990–1999	32.2%
1980–1989	16.5%
1970–1979	7.8%
1960–1969	1.3%
1950–1959	0.2%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	0.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	2.6%
2 bedrooms	25.2%
3 bedrooms	50.1%
4 bedrooms	20.2%
5+ bedrooms	0.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.7%
1 vehicle	37.8%
2 vehicles	44.3%
3 or more	16.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.1%
Electricity	89.7%
Propane / LP gas	6.2%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,333	54.2%
Cohabiting couple	69	2.8%
Male householder, no spouse	301	12.2%
Female householder, no spouse	755	30.7%
Households with children under 18	115	4.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,734	70.5%
Average household size	1.89

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	13.6%	12.3%
Married	69.1%	56.6%
Separated	2.1%	0.0%
Widowed	3.1%	19.5%
Divorced	12.2%	11.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.4%

Some HS, no diploma 2.1%

HS graduate 26.4%

Some college, no degree 18.4%

Associate's degree 11.6%

Bachelor's degree 27.9%

Graduate / professional 13.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.5%
Bachelor's or higher	41.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	57	17.1%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	35	10.5%
High school	106	31.7%
College / grad school	136	40.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 16.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.8%

Professional & management 12.1%

Retail trade 11.4%

Construction 10.6%

Other services 10.2%

Finance & real estate 8.0%

Transportation & utilities 6.0%

Manufacturing 5.0%

Public administration 4.7%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Information 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	46.4%
Service	17.4%
Sales & office	19.5%
Natural resources & construction	9.0%
Production & transportation	7.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.9%
Government	12.2%
Self-employed	3.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	74.3%
Carpool	4.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.1%
Other means	3.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.2

Poverty

All people 8.3%

Under 18 years 18.9%

18 and over 7.8%

Married-couple families 3.4%

Female-led households 5.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	70.6%
Retirement income	53.1%
Supplemental Security	4.5%
Cash public assistance	0.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	2.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	44.9%
High cholesterol	46.6%
Heart disease	10.2%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	8.4%
Arthritis	36.0%
Kidney disease	4.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.6%
Cancer	11.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	11.9%
No physical activity	20.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.6%
Fair or poor health	13.8%
Poor mental health	10.4%
Poor physical health	11.2%
No health insurance	12.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	84.7%
Visited dentist	73.4%
Cholesterol screening	95.6%
Teeth loss	9.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	441	9.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.4%
Under 18	5.9%
18–64 years	11.9%
65 and over	20.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.8%
Public insurance	59.7%
Uninsured under 19	7.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,574	98.5%
Spanish	62	1.4%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	41	0.9%
Other languages	21	0.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,484	96.5%
Born in same state	4,423	95.2%
Born in different state	1,268	27.3%
Foreign born	61	1.3%
Naturalized citizen	161	3.5%
Not a US citizen	139	86.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	935	20.1%
French	683	14.7%
Arab	489	10.5%
Polish	87	1.9%
English	65	1.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	49	1.1%
Irish	47	1%
Dutch	8	0.2%
Norwegian	6	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	52.9%
Internet access	97.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Sunset Beach, NC have?

Sunset Beach, NC has one ZIP code: 28468. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.