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Brunswick County, North Carolina

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Not to be confused with Brunswick, North Carolina.

Brunswick County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the southernmost county in the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 136,693.[1] Its population was only 73,143 in 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.[2] With a nominal growth rate of approximately 47% in ten years, much of the growth is centered in the eastern section of the county in the suburbs of Wilmington such as Leland, Belville and Southport. The county seat is Bolivia, which at a population of around 150 people is among the least populous county seats in the state.[3]

Brunswick County
County
Brunswick County Courthouse
Brunswick County Courthouse
Flag of Brunswick County
Flag
Official seal of Brunswick County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Brunswick County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°02′20″N 78°13′40″W / 34.038754°N 78.227765°W / 34.038754; -78.227765
Country United States
State North Carolina
FoundedMarch 9, 1764
Named forDuchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg
SeatBolivia
Largest communityLeland
Area
 • Total
1,049.543 sq mi (2,718.30 km2)
 • Land850.069 sq mi (2,201.67 km2)
 • Water199.474 sq mi (516.64 km2)  19.00%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
136,693
 • Estimate 
(2023)
159,964 Increase
 • Density160.80/sq mi (62.09/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.brunswickcountync.gov

Brunswick County is part of the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. From 2013 to 2023, the county was part of the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. During that time, Brunswick County and Wilmington area leaders disputed the change, including many government leaders like Senator Richard Burr. Ultimately, their efforts were a success because the county was added back into the MSA after a 2023 realignment.[4][5][6][7]

Much of the economy of the county is built around tourism, with beach communities lying along the south-facing beaches past Cape Fear such as Bald Head Island (the southernmost point of North Carolina) and Oak Island being popular destinations. Calabash, on the border of South Carolina, is renowned for its fried seafood, with "Calabash-style" restaurants dotting the region. The proximity to Cinespace Wilmington in nearby Wilmington has made Brunswick County a popular filming location for many movies and TV shows.

History

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The county was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County.[8] It was named for the colonial port of Brunswick Town, which itself was named for George I, the King of England and Duke of Brunswick.[9]

Following the destruction of Brunswick Town during the American Revolutionary War, the southern portion of the county increased in population, with the town of Smithville being incorporated in 1805. Three years later it was designated the county seat. During the antebellum era, Brunswick experienced some growth. The slave labor force increased to serve plantations in their production of naval stores, corn, cotton, and rice; by 1860 over 44 percent of the county's population were slaves. During the American Civil War, forces of the Confederate State of America erected Fort Anderson near the ruins of Brunswick Town to defend against federal attacks on the Cape Fear River and the Port of Wilmington. Brunswick County did not experience much growth in the latter half of the 19th century. Smithville was renamed Southport in 1887. Beginning in the 1930s, development along the county's beaches occurred, and between 1955 and 1975, six communities on the county's barrier islands were incorporated.[8]

Geography

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Interactive map of Brunswick County

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,049.543 square miles (2,718.30 km2), of which 850.069 square miles (2,201.67 km2) is land and 199.474 square miles (516.64 km2) (19.00%) is water.[10] It is the fourth-largest county in North Carolina by total area. The Brunswick River and the Cape Fear River provide access to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Brunswick Nuclear Generating Station is to the north of Southport.

Hydrogeology

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The principal ground-water-supply sources for Brunswick County are the surficial aquifer for domestic supplies and the Castle Hayne aquifer for municipal supplies.[11]

State and local protected area/sites

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Major water bodies

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Major islands

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Major beaches

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Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Major infrastructure

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17903,071—
18004,11033.8%
18104,77816.3%
18205,48014.7%
18306,51618.9%
18406,255−4.0%
18507,27216.3%
18608,40615.6%
18707,754−7.8%
18809,38921.1%
189010,90016.1%
190012,65716.1%
191014,43214.0%
192014,8763.1%
193015,8186.3%
194017,1258.3%
195019,23812.3%
196020,2785.4%
197024,22319.5%
198035,77747.7%
199050,98542.5%
200073,14343.5%
2010107,43146.9%
2020136,69327.2%
2023 (est.)159,964[27]17.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[28]
1790–1960[29] 1900–1990[30]
1990–2000[31] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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Brunswick County, North Carolina – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 2000[32] Pop. 2010[33] Pop. 2020[34] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 59,354 86,818 110,716 81.15% 80.81% 81.01%
Black or African American alone (NH) 10,459 12,120 11,392 14.30% 11.28% 8.33%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 473 652 743 0.65% 0.61% 0.54%
Asian alone (NH) 192 560 890 0.26% 0.52% 0.65%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 16 33 75 0.02% 0.03% 0.05%
Other race alone (NH) 68 128 366 0.09% 0.12% 0.01%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 621 1,571 5,457 0.85% 1.46% 3.99%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,960 5,549 7,420 2.68% 5.17% 5.43%
Total 73,143 107,431 136,693 100.00% 100.0% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 136,693 people, 61,496 households, and 42,359 families residing in the county.[35] The population density was 160.8 inhabitants per square mile (62.1/km2). There were 88,330 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 82.2% White, 8.4% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.6% from some other races and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.4% of the population.[36]

2022 American Community Survey (ACS)

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There are 60,915 households accounted for in the 2022 ACS, with an average of 2.28 persons per household. The county's a median gross rent is $1,187 in the 2022 ACS. The 2022 ACS reports a median household income of $71,193, with 83.7% of households are owner occupied. 8.5% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line (down from previous ACS surveys). The city boasts a 48.8% employment rate, with 32.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.5% holding a high school diploma.[37]

The top nine reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (15.1%), Irish (13.1%), German (11.5%), Italian (5.3%), Polish (2.3%), Scottish (2.3%), French (except Basque) (2.2%), Subsaharan African (0.7%), and Norwegian (0.6%).

The median age in the county was 57.6 years.

Between the period from 2020 to 2023, Brunswick County had the highest estimated growth in population among North Carolina's counties at 15.8 percent.[38] Much of the recent growth has been driven by the in-migration of retirees, and as of 2023 the county has the highest median age in North Carolina.[39][40]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 107,433 people, 46,298 households, and 32,220 families residing in the county. The population density was 126.8 inhabitants per square mile (49.0/km2). There were 77,482 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 83.0% White, 11.4% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from some other races and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.2% of the population.

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census, there were 73,143 people, 30,438 households, and 22,037 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 inhabitants per square mile (33.2/km2). There were 51,431 housing units at an average density of 60 inhabitants per square mile (23.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.30% White, 14.38% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.32% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.68% of the population.

There were 30,438 households, out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 29.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,888, and the median income for a family was $42,037. Males had a median income of $30,138 versus $22,066 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,857. About 9.50% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.40% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

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Brunswick County is a member of the regional Cape Fear Council of Governments.

The county lies in the inner coastal plain, most of which was highly pro-secession, and part of the Democratic Solid South from the late 19th century through 1964. However, Brunswick County was less fertile than the “Black Belt” and consequently had significant pro-Union and Populist sympathies. The county frequently backed Republicans at state and local levels even when the state was consistently Democratic apart from Herbert Hoover’s 1928 victory. Only three times since the Civil War – Grover Cleveland in 1888, Alton B. Parker in 1904 and Jimmy Carter in 1980[41] – has Brunswick County backed a losing Democratic presidential candidate. Carter in that 1980 election remains the last Democrat to win a majority of Brunswick County’s ballots, although Bill Clinton won a plurality in 1992.[citation needed] In recent years the county has reliably favored Republican candidates, though in 2024, elections for local office were competitive. In the 2024 North Carolina elections, Brunswick voters favored Republicans for state legislative seats and the county commission, but favored a Democratic gubernatorial candidate for the first time since 2004.[42]

United States presidential election results for Brunswick County, North Carolina[43][44]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 67,658 61.86% 40,557 37.08% 1,163 1.06%
2020 55,850 61.94% 33,310 36.94% 1,015 1.13%
2016 42,720 62.50% 23,282 34.06% 2,349 3.44%
2012 34,743 60.57% 22,038 38.42% 581 1.01%
2008 30,753 58.46% 21,331 40.55% 524 1.00%
2004 22,925 60.37% 14,903 39.24% 149 0.39%
2000 15,427 53.49% 13,118 45.49% 294 1.02%
1996 10,065 45.70% 10,041 45.59% 1,917 8.70%
1992 8,833 39.43% 10,177 45.43% 3,390 15.13%
1988 10,007 55.78% 7,881 43.93% 51 0.28%
1984 9,673 58.67% 6,774 41.08% 41 0.25%
1980 5,897 45.35% 6,761 52.00% 345 2.65%
1976 3,636 32.86% 7,377 66.66% 53 0.48%
1972 6,153 69.06% 2,500 28.06% 256 2.87%
1968 2,404 27.52% 2,972 34.03% 3,358 38.45%
1964 3,721 46.74% 4,240 53.26% 0 0.00%
1960 2,915 40.37% 4,305 59.63% 0 0.00%
1956 3,299 50.02% 3,297 49.98% 0 0.00%
1952 2,958 50.06% 2,951 49.94% 0 0.00%
1948 1,896 40.49% 2,052 43.82% 735 15.70%
1944 1,997 45.98% 2,346 54.02% 0 0.00%
1940 1,522 35.90% 2,717 64.10% 0 0.00%
1936 1,625 37.49% 2,710 62.51% 0 0.00%
1932 1,798 44.29% 2,245 55.30% 17 0.42%
1928 1,931 65.48% 1,018 34.52% 0 0.00%
1924 1,296 52.79% 1,118 45.54% 41 1.67%
1920 1,362 52.08% 1,253 47.92% 0 0.00%
1916 989 54.94% 810 45.00% 1 0.06%
1912 280 18.51% 777 51.35% 456 30.14%
1908 841 58.08% 607 41.92% 0 0.00%
1904 487 46.34% 564 53.66% 0 0.00%
1900 643 53.85% 525 43.97% 26 2.18%
1896 878 40.69% 1,279 59.27% 1 0.05%
1892 446 23.65% 755 40.03% 685 36.32%
1888 965 48.44% 1,023 51.36% 4 0.20%
1884 936 50.21% 928 49.79% 0 0.00%
1880 889 53.33% 746 44.75% 32 1.92%

Economy

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Due to its rapidly growing population, the economy in Brunswick County is relatively robust and growing. Jobs in the food service and retail sectors have experienced the greatest expansion in the recent past. Owing to the large presence of retirees, a substantial amount of income in the county is generated through the collection of dividends from investments and various benefits including pensions and Social Security payments.[40] Less than half of county residents participate in the work force. Of those that do, a significant proportion commute outside the county for work.[45]

Culture

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The town of Calabash is nationally known for its style of lightly-breaded fried seafood.[8][46] The town of Navassa is a historically Gullah community, though due to frequent contact with the outside world and involvement in industry the descendants of Gullah people in the area do not speak the Gullah language.[47]

Communities

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Map of Brunswick County with municipal and township labels

Incorporated communities

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Brunswick County includes to 19 incorporated communities:[48]

Townships

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  • Lockwoods Folly
  • Northwest
  • Shalotte
  • Smithville
  • Town Creek
  • Waccamaw

Unincorporated communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "Brunswick is once again the fastest-growing county". WUNC. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Regional fight continues to move Brunswick County back into Wilmington's MSA | WWAY NewsChannel 3 | Wilmington NC News". Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013. Wilmington disputes move
  5. ^ Still, Johanna F. (July 21, 2023). "Brunswick back in Wilmington MSA". WilmingtonBiz. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  6. ^ WECT Staff (July 25, 2023). "Brunswick Co. returns to Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area". WECT. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Medlin, Eric (May 4, 2023). "From pivotal beginnings, Brunswick County history lives on". Coastal Review. North Carolina Coastal Federation. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Ballard, Allison (October 7, 2016). "What's In A Name? Brunswick County Places". Coastal Review. North Carolina Coastal Federation. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  10. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  11. ^ Harden, Stephen L. (2003). Hydrogeology and Ground-water Quality of Brunswick County, North Carolina. Raleigh, NC: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  12. ^ "Bird Island Reserve | NC DEQ". deq.nc.gov. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  13. ^ Ochota, Krystyna. "Brunswick County Botanical Garden". brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  14. ^ "Brunswick Nature Park". www.ncbrunswick.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  16. ^ "EV Henwood". NC Coastal Land Trust. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  17. ^ "OCC: Myrtle Head Savanna North Carolina". www.orchidconservationcoalition.org. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "Oyster Restoration and Protection Plan for North Carolina" (PDF). www.nccoast.org. September 14, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  19. ^ "Alligator Creek in Brunswick County NC". northcarolina.hometownlocator.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  20. ^ "Elizabeth River in Brunswick County NC". northcarolina.hometownlocator.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  21. ^ Spencer, Renee (June 6, 2023). "Dam reconstruction to begin in Boiling Spring Lakes despite cost-cutting measures". Wilmington Star-News. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  22. ^ "Orton Pond". lib.digitalnc.org. The Forest History Society. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  23. ^ Still, Johanna F. (April 10, 2023). "Refilling the water in Boiling Spring Lakes". WilmingtonBiz. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  24. ^ "Pre-recession subdivision plans on Brunswick Peninsula revived by new owner". Port City Daily. October 13, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  25. ^ "Town Creek Initiative". NC Coastal Land Trust. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  26. ^ Island, Preserve Eagles. "Preserve Eagles Island". Preserve Eagles Island. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  27. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  28. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  29. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  30. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  31. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  32. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Brunswick County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  33. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Brunswick County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  34. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Brunswick County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  35. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  36. ^ "How many people live in Brunswick County, North Carolina". USA Today. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  37. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Brunswick County, North Carolina". www.census.gov. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  38. ^ Eanes, Zachery (March 15, 2024). "The Triangle suburbs continued to see rapid growth in 2023". Axios Raleigh. Axios Media. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  39. ^ Harrison, Steve (December 19, 2022). "Brunswick County changes help explain why NC Democrats keep losing races for Senate and president". WFAE 90.7. WFAE. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  40. ^ a b Dill, Emma (November 17, 2023). "Economic Snapshot: Brunswick County Economy Fueled By Growing, Aging Population". Wilmington Biz. SAJ Media. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  41. ^ Melendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 265-270 ISBN 0786422173
  42. ^ Mather, Nickolai (November 6, 2024). "Digging into the election result data shows a few surprises in Brunswick County". WHQR Public Media. WHQR. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  43. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  44. ^ "Géographie électorale" (in French). Archived from the original on November 18, 2005. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  45. ^ Cross, Jamey (January 13, 2024). "While residents call for development to stop in Brunswick, advocates say it's crucial". Wilmington Star-News. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  46. ^ Wallace, Emily (May 29, 2023). "Lightly Breaded & Perfectly Fried: The Legacy of Calabash". Our State. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  47. ^ Talton, Trista (March 9, 2020). "Navassa History Misunderstood: Planner". Coastal Review. North Carolina Coastal Federation. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  48. ^ "Municipalities". Brunswick County, North Carolina. Brunswick County Government. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
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