Moving to Oak Island, NC: Living in Oak Island Guide

Oak Island is the classic family beach town of the Brunswick Islands. It sits on a long, south-facing barrier island between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, with two ocean fishing piers, more than 60 public beach access points, and a relaxed pace that draws retirees, second-home owners and families who want a real neighborhood by the water instead of a high-rise strip.

The town was formed in 1999 when Long Beach and Yaupon Beach merged, and it has kept a small-town feel even as it has grown. About 9,300 people live here year-round, and the summer population is close to 50,000. That seasonal swing shapes everything from traffic to parking rules to when you should book your move.

This guide covers the numbers, the neighborhoods, the weather and the practical details our crews have learned from moving families onto and off the island.

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

Where Is Oak Island, NC?

Oak Island is in southeastern Brunswick County, in the southeastern corner of North Carolina. The town covers 19.9 square miles, 18.5 of them land. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south, the separate town of Caswell Beach to the east, Holden Beach across Lockwood Folly Inlet to the west, and St. James across the Intracoastal Waterway to the north. Part of the town also extends onto the mainland along Long Beach Road (NC 133).

Two high-rise bridges connect the island to the mainland: the G.V. Barbee Bridge, which opened in 1975, and the Swain’s Cut Bridge, built in 2010. From the mainland side, NC 133 and NC 211 lead to US 17, the main coastal highway.

Approximate driving distances from the center of town:

Southport: about 9 miles
Wilmington: about 34 miles
Wilmington International Airport (ILM): about 37 miles
Myrtle Beach, SC: about 63 miles
Raleigh: about 163 miles

Wilmington International is the closest airport with commercial flights. Oak Island is part of the Wilmington metropolitan area, so most residents head to Wilmington for big-box shopping, specialty medical care and flights.

Oak Island Population & Demographics

Oak Island is growing quickly. The town counted 8,396 residents at the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau estimates it reached 9,337 by July 2025, an 11.2% increase. Brunswick County as a whole is growing even faster: its population rose from 136,693 in 2020 to an estimated 174,702 in 2025, a 27.8% jump.

This is a retirement-friendly town. The median age is 62.3, and 42% of residents are 65 or older, more than twice the state and national shares. Nine out of ten homes are owner-occupied.

Measure	Oak Island	Brunswick County	North Carolina	United States
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	9,337	174,702	—	—
Population (2020 Census)	8,396	136,693	—	—
Median age	62.3	56.4	39.1	38.9
Residents 65 and older	42.0%	33.8%	17.2%	17.2%
Median household income	$85,872	$77,024	$72,388	$80,734
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	43.6%	34.7%	35.7%	35.7%
Owner-occupied homes	89.7%	84.6%	66.6%	65.2%
Poverty rate	8.7%	9.2%	13.0%	12.5%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2020 Census); all other rows are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates via Census Reporter. Small-town ACS figures carry margins of error (Oak Island’s median income is ±$7,281).

Oak Island is also home to about 1,060 veterans, according to the same ACS data, which is one reason military moves are a regular part of our work in this corner of the state.

Is Oak Island Safe?

We did not find a recent, reliable crime-rate source for Oak Island that we felt comfortable quoting. Like most beach towns, the day-to-day concerns tend to change with the seasons, since the island’s population swells in summer. The Oak Island Police Department serves the town and is the best place to ask about a specific street. If you are looking at the eastern end of the island, remember that Caswell Beach is a separate town with its own government. Before you buy or sign a lease, drive the area on a summer weekend and again on a winter weeknight to see both sides of island life.

Cost of Living in Oak Island

Home Prices

Oak Island is one of the pricier places to buy in Brunswick County, which makes sense for a town where most homes are on or near the water. Zillow’s Home Value Index for Oak Island was about $604,000 in August 2026, up 4.5% from a year earlier. For comparison, Zillow puts the typical North Carolina home at about $334,800 (flat over the year) and the typical U.S. home at about $368,700.

The Census Bureau’s median value for owner-occupied homes in Oak Island is $456,500 (2020–2024), compared with $349,800 for Brunswick County, $288,900 for North Carolina and $332,700 nationally. The Census figure is lower than Zillow’s because it averages several years of owner estimates and includes older cottages; Zillow tracks current market values.

Price varies a lot by location on the island. Oceanfront homes along Beach Drive, canal-front homes on the Davis Canal and Intracoastal Waterway homes on Yacht Drive each sit in their own price category, and flood zone designations (AE versus VE) affect insurance costs. Get flood insurance quotes early in your search.

Rent

Year-round rentals are limited because so much of the housing stock is used for vacation rentals. Zillow’s Observed Rent Index for Oak Island was about $2,078 a month in August 2026, though Zillow’s data here is thin and it does not publish a year-over-year comparison. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent for the town is $1,339 (±$148), close to the Brunswick County median of $1,351 and above the North Carolina median of $1,228. Nationally, Zillow’s typical rent is about $1,948.

If you plan to rent before you buy, start looking in the off-season. Many owners switch to weekly vacation rentals from spring through fall.

Best Neighborhoods in Oak Island

Oak Island does not organize itself around branded subdivisions. Its sections come from the two old towns that merged to form it, plus the type of water a home sits on.

Central Island Near Middleton Park

The middle of the island around East Oak Island Drive and Middleton Park is the most practical choice for year-round living. Local real estate descriptions point to wooded lots, quieter streets, and short walks or bike rides to shops, splash pads and town parks. You give up direct ocean frontage, but you gain a regular neighborhood feel and easier errands. It suits full-time residents, families with kids and anyone who plans to ride a bike to the grocery store more than to the surf.

The West End

Local real estate sources consistently describe the west end as one of the most sought-after parts of the island. It is generally quieter than the central commercial stretch and has a more residential feel, with the marsh and Lockwood Folly Inlet at its far tip. It suits buyers who want the beach without the busiest summer traffic, and second-home owners who plan to retire here later. Confirm current pricing with a local agent, since we could not find a reliable source comparing west end values to the rest of the island.

Canal-Front and Waterway Homes

Homes on the Davis Canal offer private docks and boat lifts without oceanfront pricing, and they are generally mapped in AE flood zones rather than the VE zones along the oceanfront. On the north side, Yacht Drive East and Yacht Drive West face the Intracoastal Waterway, with sunset views and direct boat access. The public NE 55th Street boat ramp is nearby. These sections suit boaters who want to launch from their own backyard.

Weather & Climate in Oak Island

Oak Island has a mild, humid coastal climate. NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearby Southport 5 N weather station put the annual average temperature at 65.0°F. January is the coolest month, with an average high of 60.0°F and a low of 35.5°F. July is the warmest, averaging a high of 91.6°F and a low of 72.8°F.

The area gets about 54.6 inches of precipitation a year. Late summer is the wettest stretch: August averages 6.77 inches and September 8.16 inches, largely because of tropical systems. Snow is rare.

Hurricanes are part of life here. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the National Hurricane Center puts the peak on September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. Oak Island has taken direct hits over the years, from Hurricane Hazel in 1954 to Matthew in 2016, Florence in 2018 and Isaias in 2020, whose storm surge reached about 9 feet.

Best months to move: Late October through April offers cooler weather, lighter traffic and no paid-parking enforcement. May and early October are also good choices. If you move in summer, schedule early in the morning and early in the week.

Things to Do in Oak Island

Oak Island Pier

The newly rebuilt Oak Island Pier at 705 Ocean Drive is 880 feet long and stands 27 feet above the water. The town manages the pier, which is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can buy daily, multi-day or seasonal fishing passes, or just walk out for the view. The pier house carries snacks, drinks and basic supplies.

Ocean Crest Pier

The island’s second fishing pier sits at 1409 East Beach Drive and stretches 893 feet into the Atlantic. It has an on-site restaurant and tackle shop, which makes it an easy morning outing even if you do not fish.

Oak Island Lighthouse

Completed in 1958, the Oak Island Lighthouse is North Carolina’s youngest lighthouse. It stands 153 feet tall, and its color bands were created by mixing pigment into the concrete, so it never needs repainting. The lighthouse is run entirely by volunteers. Climbs up its 131 steps of ship’s ladders are available year-round by appointment for climbers 9 and older. Note that the lighthouse is technically in the Town of Caswell Beach, on the island’s east end.

Oak Island Nature Center

The town’s Nature Center is a treehouse-style building raised 11 feet off the ground among pines, oaks and salt marsh. It has a tree trail, butterfly garden, floating dock and fishing tee, and town recreation staff and volunteers run seasonal nature programs there. It is a good first stop for kids who just moved to the coast.

Oak Island Golf Club

Designed and built in 1962 by golf architect George Cobb, Oak Island Golf Club is open to the public. Its clubhouse restaurant, Duffer’s Pub & Grille, is also open to non-members.

Sea Turtle Season

The Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection Program is an all-volunteer group founded in 1989 with more than 200 volunteers. It monitors nesting sea turtles along roughly 10 miles of beach in town limits. Volunteering is one of the fastest ways for new residents to meet neighbors.

Where to Eat in Oak Island

Island Way

Island Way, at 1407 East Beach Drive, is Oak Island’s special-occasion restaurant. It serves steaks and fresh seafood in a casual oceanfront dining room with window tables and an outdoor deck that is popular at sunset. Reservations are recommended.

Shagger Jacks

Shagger Jacks, at 8004 East Oak Island Drive, lives by its motto, “You Chill. We Grill.” It is a relaxed spot for burgers, grilled favorites and appetizers, and it is a local go-to for a casual dinner.

KoKo Cabana

KoKo Cabana sits at the Oak Island Pier at 705 Ocean Drive. The town owns the pier and leases the restaurant space, and the outside deck has ocean views and a steady breeze. It is an easy lunch after a morning on the beach.

Jobs & Economy

Tourism is Oak Island’s main industry. Vacation rentals, restaurants, retail, property management, construction and home services all follow the summer season. Many full-time residents are retired, and others commute to Southport, Leland or Wilmington.

Across Brunswick County, retail trade is the largest industry by employment, with 6,437 workers in 2023, and the Brunswick County Board of Education is the county’s top employer with more than 1,000 employees, according to the NC Rural Center. The county’s average weekly wage was $953 in 2023. Nearby, Duke Energy’s Brunswick nuclear plant, adjacent to Southport, has operated since 1975. Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport is the closest hospital to the island.

Schools in Oak Island

Oak Island is served by Brunswick County Schools, which had 13,561 students across 20 schools in the 2024–2025 school year, with about 15 students per teacher, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Schools closest to Oak Island include Southport Elementary (701 W. 9th Street, Southport), South Brunswick Middle (100 Cougar Drive, Southport) and South Brunswick High (280 Cougar Drive, Southport). The district has a redistricting process underway, so confirm your assignment with the district’s “Which school will my child attend?” tool before you choose a home.

For higher education, Brunswick Community College has a Southport Center at 701 N. Lord Street and its main campus in Bolivia.

Oak Island Quick Facts

County	Brunswick
Incorporated	1999 (merger of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach)
ZIP code	28465
Area codes	910 (with the 472 overlay)
Population	9,337 (2025 estimate); 8,396 (2020 Census)
Land area	18.5 square miles
Bridges to mainland	G.V. Barbee Bridge (NC 133) and Swain’s Cut Bridge
Nearest commercial airport	Wilmington International (ILM), about 37 miles
Nearest hospital	Dosher Memorial Hospital, Southport
Public schools	Brunswick County Schools
Beach parking	Paid, April 1–September 30, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Moving to Oak Island: Tips From Our Crew

Plan around the bridges. Every truck and car reaches the island over the Barbee or Swain’s Cut bridge. According to US Beach Life, the Barbee Bridge closes when sustained winds reach roughly 40 mph, so a tropical storm can cut off access before the storm itself arrives. If weather threatens, our Oak Island moving crew would rather move your date than put your belongings on a bridge in high wind.
Know the parking rules. Paid parking is enforced from April 1 to September 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the beachfront areas south of the Davis Canal and East Oak Island Drive. During enforcement hours, parking is not allowed in unmarked or streetside right-of-way areas in those zones. Tell us your exact address when you book so we can plan where the truck will sit.
Get resident parking permits early. The town issues digital resident permits tied to license plates, not physical decals, and residents can buy up to three. You will need your water utility account number, so set up utilities first.
Avoid summer weekends if you can. The island goes from about 9,000 people to nearly 50,000 in summer. A weekday move in May, early June or fall means less traffic and faster unloading.
Measure for raised homes. If your new home sits on pilings, plan for the extra time it takes to carry furniture up exterior stairs, and measure tight landings and doorways before moving day. Our packing and unpacking crews can wrap large pieces so they fit without damage.
Build hurricane season into your plan. Moving between June and November? Keep a flexible backup date in mind. We never charge a rescheduling fee, so changing plans for a storm will not cost you extra.
Check which town you are in. Homes on the island’s east end may be in Caswell Beach, which has its own ordinances. Confirm zoning, rental and permit rules with the correct town before you sign.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Oak Island

Is Oak Island a good place to retire?

Many people think so. The median age is 62.3, and 42% of residents are 65 or older, according to Census data. The town offers a quiet beach, golf, fishing piers, volunteer groups and a hospital in nearby Southport. The trade-offs are hurricane risk, flood insurance costs and busy summers. Visit in both July and January before you decide.

How much do movers cost for a move to Oak Island?

It depends on the size of your home, the distance, access at both ends (stairs, pilings, parking) and the date. The best way to get a real number is to call our owners for a free quote. For long-distance moves, we give a binding estimate, so the price never changes after you book, and military families get 5% off.

Is Oak Island the same as Caswell Beach?

No. Both towns share the same barrier island, but Caswell Beach chose to stay independent when Long Beach and Yaupon Beach merged in 1999. Caswell Beach had just 395 residents at the 2020 Census and has its own town government. The Oak Island Lighthouse and Fort Caswell are both in Caswell Beach.

Can you live on Oak Island year-round?

Yes. About 9,300 people live here full-time, and the town has year-round services, a police department, parks and a nature center. Wilmington, about 34 miles away, is the regional hub for larger stores and specialty care. Expect a real seasonal rhythm: busy summers and very quiet winters.

When is the best time to move to Oak Island?

Late fall through spring is easiest. The weather is mild, paid parking is not enforced after September 30, rental traffic is light and it is outside peak hurricane season. If you must move in summer, choose a weekday morning and book several weeks ahead.

Move to Oak Island With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our owners, Matthew Treharn and Amber Hallaman, stand behind every move 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 60–90 days. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee. We never use subcontractors.

From moves across Brunswick County to households coming down from another state with our long-distance moving service, our Oak Island movers know the bridges, the parking rules and the stairs. Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081. An owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

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