Moving to Caswell Beach, NC: Oak Island Living Guide

Caswell Beach is one of the smallest and quietest towns on the North Carolina coast. It covers the eastern end of Oak Island, where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic, and it is home to the Oak Island Lighthouse, historic Fort Caswell and a long stretch of uncrowded beach. Fewer than 400 people lived here year-round at the 2020 Census, and most of the town’s homes sit empty part of the year as second homes and rentals.

It suits retirees, second-home owners and anyone who wants a true beach town without the traffic, with Southport’s shops and restaurants about 8 miles away. Our Caswell Beach movers handle full-time moves, furnished second homes and everything in between.

Planning a move to Caswell Beach? Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081 or get your price online.

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Where Is Caswell Beach, NC?

Caswell Beach sits on the eastern part of Oak Island in Brunswick County, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Oak Island itself is a barrier island that became separated from the mainland when the Intracoastal Waterway was dug in the late 1930s. You reach Caswell Beach by crossing onto Oak Island and heading east until the road becomes Caswell Beach Road, which runs the length of town. The Town of Oak Island is the only neighbor by land; everything else is river, marsh or ocean.

Road distances from Caswell Beach, measured with OpenStreetMap routing:

Oak Island (central): about 7 miles
Southport: about 8 miles
Leland: about 30 miles
Downtown Wilmington: about 32 miles
Wilmington International Airport (ILM): about 38 miles
Calabash: about 41 miles
Myrtle Beach, SC: about 67 miles
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): about 71 miles
Raleigh: about 163 miles
Charlotte: about 213 miles

Wilmington International is the closest commercial airport. For groceries and errands, most residents shop in Oak Island or Southport.

Caswell Beach Population & Demographics

Caswell Beach counted 395 residents in the 2020 Census, almost unchanged from 398 in 2010. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimates 491, but with a margin of error of plus or minus 176, which tells you how hard it is to survey a town this small. What the data shows clearly: an older, highly educated, mostly owner-occupied community where year-round residents are outnumbered by empty homes. The ACS counts 675 housing units in town, and 447 of them were vacant at the time of the survey, most of them seasonal or rental homes.

Measure (2020–2024 ACS unless noted)	Caswell Beach	Brunswick County	North Carolina
Population, 2020 Census	395	—	—
Population (ACS estimate)	491	152,568	10,730,404
Median age	60.6	56.4	39.1
Median household income	$130,750	$77,024	$72,388
Bachelor’s degree or higher, age 25+	63.8%	34.7%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	93.4%	84.6%	66.6%
Median home value	$648,400	$349,800	$288,900
Housing units / vacant units	675 / 447	99,077 / 29,953	4,895,668 / 613,323

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 and 2020 Census (via Wikipedia) and American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (via Census Reporter). Estimates for a town this size have wide margins of error (the median income is plus or minus about $29,900).

Is Caswell Beach Safe?

Caswell Beach has its own small police department, headquartered at Town Hall on Caswell Beach Road. Emergency calls go through Brunswick County 911, and the town asks callers to say they are in Caswell Beach so the county dispatcher can radio the on-duty town officer. We have not found a published crime rate for the town that we would feel comfortable quoting. With so few permanent residents and only one road in and out, it is a very quiet place, but for questions about a specific property, call the Caswell Beach Police Department’s non-emergency line through Town Hall.

Cost of Living in Caswell Beach

Housing is the big cost here. Caswell Beach is almost entirely single-family homes, townhomes and condos on or near the water, and there is very little land left to build on.

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index for Caswell Beach was about $648,500 in August 2026, up about 1.8% from a year earlier. That is well above Brunswick County (about $404,800), North Carolina (about $334,800) and the U.S. (about $368,700). The Census Bureau’s survey-based median home value lines up closely at $648,400 (2020–2024 ACS). Oceanfront homes run far above the town median, while condos and townhomes near the golf course are the most common entry point.

Beyond the purchase price, budget for flood and wind insurance, which are part of owning any home on a barrier island. Get insurance quotes before you are under contract.

Rent

Long-term rentals are rare. The Census survey did not record enough renter households in Caswell Beach to publish a median rent, and most rental homes here are weekly vacation rentals. Zillow’s Observed Rent Index for the Wilmington metro area, which has included Brunswick County since a 2023 federal redefinition, was about $1,734 a month in August 2026. Expect to look in Oak Island or Southport if you need a year-round rental.

Best Neighborhoods in Caswell Beach

Caswell Beach is small enough that it is really one neighborhood strung along Caswell Beach Road, but there are three distinct kinds of places to live.

The Oceanfront Along Caswell Beach Road

The houses on the ocean side of Caswell Beach Road have direct beach access over the dunes, and many are large raised homes built to handle storms. This is where most second-home owners and rental investors buy. It suits people who want to hear the surf from the porch and are comfortable with the insurance, maintenance and storm prep that come with the front row.

The Golf Course Area

Streets around the Oak Island Golf Club, a George Cobb-designed course that opened all 18 holes in 1975 (the same year the town incorporated), hold a mix of single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums. It suits full-time residents and retirees who want lower-maintenance living a short walk or golf-cart ride from the beach. The club’s website showed only a “launching soon” page in 2026, so ask about current membership options if golf is part of your plan.

The East End Near the Lighthouse

Toward the lighthouse and Fort Caswell, the town gets even quieter, with marsh and maritime forest views and the lighthouse beam sweeping overhead at night. It suits buyers who value privacy and nature over being close to shops. Keep in mind that Fort Caswell itself is a retreat center owned by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, not a residential area.

Weather & Climate

The nearest full weather station is at Wilmington International Airport, about 38 miles away by road. NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Wilmington show:

January: average high 57.2°F, low 36.3°F
July: average high 90.0°F, low 73.0°F
Annual precipitation: about 60 inches, with August (8.16 inches) and September (8.69 inches) the wettest months
Annual snowfall: 0.9 inches on average

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and NOAA notes most storms come from August through October. For a move to Caswell Beach, October through early December and March through May are ideal: pleasant weather, no summer traffic onto the island and fewer rental guests competing for parking.

Things to Do in Caswell Beach

Oak Island Lighthouse

The lighthouse, first lit in May 1958, is 153 feet tall and was among the last lighthouses built in the U.S. The town owns it, and the volunteer Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse run tours. Top tours climb 131 ship-style stairs to an outside gallery; they require advance reservations and climbers must be at least 9 years old. In 2020 it became the first U.S. lighthouse to use rotating LED technology.

The Beach

Caswell Beach’s shoreline is wide, soft and far less crowded than most North Carolina beaches. The town maintains public parking and allows street parking on the Caswell Beach Road right-of-way, and it offers beach wheelchairs and walkers. Bonfires need a permit.

Sea Turtle Nesting

The beach is an active sea turtle nesting area with protected dunes. Residents learn to keep lights low at night in summer and to stay off the dunes and sea oats, which the town actively protects.

Fort Caswell

Fort Caswell dates to 1825 and was named for Richard Caswell, North Carolina’s first governor. Since 1949 it has been a retreat and conference center run by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the historic fort grounds are part of the Fort Caswell Historic District.

Birding, Fishing and Paddling

The marshes along the Intracoastal Waterway and the river mouth make Caswell Beach a good place for birdwatching, surf fishing, bike rides and sunrise or sunset paddles.

Southport

About 8 miles away, Southport adds a historic downtown, a waterfront park and the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, which make an easy outing for visiting family.

Where to Eat in Caswell Beach

There are no restaurants in Caswell Beach itself, so residents head west into Oak Island. Three spots on the east end of the island:

Island Jo Coffee & Cafe (E. Oak Island Drive)

One of the closest coffee stops for Caswell Beach residents, on the 7900 block of East Oak Island Drive. Good for breakfast, a morning coffee on the way off the island or a place to meet the neighbors.

Shagger Jacks (E. Oak Island Drive)

An American grill at 8004 East Oak Island Drive with burgers, grilled favorites and appetizers, and the slogan “You chill. We grill.” It offers pickup and delivery, which comes in handy on move-in night.

Salt64 (E. Oak Island Drive)

An upscale American restaurant at 6404 East Oak Island Drive and one of the island’s better-reviewed dinner spots. It is a good choice for a celebration dinner once the boxes are unpacked.

Jobs & Economy

With a median age over 60, many Caswell Beach residents are retired, and the town’s economy revolves around tourism, vacation rentals and property services. Working residents commute to jobs across Brunswick County and the Wilmington area. The NC Rural Center lists the Brunswick County Board of Education as the county’s largest employer (1,000+ workers in 2023) and retail trade as its largest industry by employment. Many residents commute to Wilmington, about 32 miles away. Brunswick County’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in 2023.

Schools in Caswell Beach

Caswell Beach is served by Brunswick County Schools, which had 13,561 students in 20 schools in 2024–25, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The nearest schools are in Southport: Southport Elementary, South Brunswick Middle and South Brunswick High. Brunswick County Early College High School is in Bolivia. Confirm your assigned schools with the district for a specific address. Brunswick Community College has a Southport Center on North Lord Street,, and downtown Wilmington, home to UNC Wilmington, is about 32 miles away.

Caswell Beach Quick Facts

County	Brunswick County
Incorporated	1975
ZIP code	28465
Area codes	910, 472
Area	About 4.1 square miles (2.97 land, 1.13 water)
Population	395 (2020 Census)
Main road	Caswell Beach Road
Nearest airport	Wilmington International (ILM), about 38 miles
Police	Caswell Beach Police Department
Trash service	GFL, weekly on Wednesdays
Town Hall	1100 Caswell Beach Road

Moving to Caswell Beach: Tips From Our Crew

Time your trash with the Wednesday pickup. GFL collects garbage every Wednesday and recycling every other Wednesday. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, homes on Caswell Beach Road and a few nearby streets also get Saturday pickup. Cardboard is accepted with mixed paper, so break boxes down flat and plan to fill the cart over a couple of weeks.
Stairs are the norm. Most homes are raised on pilings with long exterior staircases and sometimes a small elevator. Tell us about stairs, elevator size and any decks we have to cross so we bring the right crew size and padding.
Plan parking for the truck. Driveways are short and the road is narrow. Parking at the lighthouse lot is limited to one hour, dawn to dusk, so don’t count on it for a moving truck. We scout the street before move day and may shuttle with a smaller truck if needed.
Avoid summer Saturdays. Saturday is turnover day for weekly rentals, and the roads on and off Oak Island get crowded. A weekday move is faster and cheaper on your crew hours.
Keep hurricane season in mind. From August through October, build a backup date into your plan. A & M never charges a rescheduling fee.
Register the golf cart. Only registered, street-legal low-speed vehicles are allowed on Caswell Beach Road and Oak Island’s public streets. If your cart is coming with you, register it with the town before you drive it.
Protect the dunes. Never carry furniture over the dunes to an oceanfront deck; use the walkway or the street side of the house.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Caswell Beach

How much does it cost to hire movers in Caswell Beach?

Every beach move is a little different. Stairs, elevators, the distance the crew has to carry from the truck and how much you want packed all affect the price, along with the distance and time of year. Call our NC & SC office at 910-758-0081 or request a free quote online; an owner calls you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Is Caswell Beach part of Oak Island?

Caswell Beach is on Oak Island, but it is its own town. The Town of Oak Island covers most of the island, while Caswell Beach covers the eastern end, including the lighthouse and Fort Caswell. The two towns share the 28465 ZIP code.

Can you live year-round in Caswell Beach?

Yes. Fewer than 400 people did at the 2020 Census, and many homes are second homes or rentals, so winters are very quiet. Groceries, pharmacies and restaurants are in Oak Island and Southport, a short drive west.

What is the closest airport to Caswell Beach?

Wilmington International Airport is about 38 miles away by road and is the closest commercial airport. Myrtle Beach International is about 71 miles away and sometimes has cheaper fares.

When is the best time to move to Caswell Beach?

Fall and spring weekdays are ideal. The weather is mild, rental traffic is light and it is easier to park a truck on Caswell Beach Road. If you must move in summer, avoid Saturdays, and if you move in peak hurricane months, keep a backup date.

Move to Caswell Beach With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our NC & SC office serves all of Brunswick County. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center; if anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days. We can also help with packing and unpacking, storage between closings and long-distance moves with a binding estimate and your own dedicated truck.

Call 910-758-0081 or visit our Caswell Beach moving page to get started.