RANK #536 / 996 · POP 68,353 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.6%
Beaufort, the county seat and one of North Carolina's oldest towns, anchors Carteret County, a coastal region known as the Crystal Coast. Located on North Carolina's central coast, the county boasts over 85 miles of beaches and hundreds of miles of sound and river shorelines. This area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, the second most visited state park in North Carolina, and the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Commutes within the county are generally quick, with an average of 23.9 minutes, and traffic is lighter than in larger metropolitan areas.
Life in Carteret County blends coastal living with a community atmosphere. Many residents own their homes, and the public school system is highly rated, with Carteret County Schools consistently ranking among the best in North Carolina. The economy is significantly influenced by tourism and recreational pursuits, drawing visitors to its beaches and historic towns like Morehead City and Emerald Isle. The county is also a center for marine sciences, hosting institutions such as the Duke University Marine Laboratory and the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Radio Island Offshore Wind Supply Chain Development
North Carolina State Ports Authority (proposed)
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Workforce Center for Construction Trades and Transportation Technology
Carteret Community College
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Carteret County has a Boom Town Index score of 46/100, ranking #536 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $66,965, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Carteret County is $277,400 with median rent at $1,009/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2414, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +1.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.29% of Carteret County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.