Moving to Shallotte, NC: Living in Shallotte Guide

Shallotte (say it “shuh-LOHT”) is the hometown of western Brunswick County. It is a river town, not a beach town, but it sits just a few miles from Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach, and its Main Street and US 17 corridor are lined with shops, restaurants and services, with West Brunswick High School on the north side of town. The Shallotte River runs through the middle of town, and a riverwalk, farmers market and summer concerts give it a real downtown feel.

Shallotte suits people who want coastal living without paying island prices or dealing with island traffic. Families have schools and parks close by, retirees have a quick drive to the beach and golf, and commuters sit about halfway between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. It is also one of the younger communities in a county known for retirees.

Here is what to know before you move, from home prices and weather to the local tips our crews use on moving day.

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

Where Is Shallotte, NC?

Shallotte is in west-central Brunswick County, in the southeastern corner of North Carolina. It was incorporated as a town in 1899 and covers about 9.3 square miles. U.S. Route 17 (Ocean Highway) passes through town, bypassing the center to the northwest, while Main Street carries US 17 Business through downtown.

Approximate driving distances from the center of town:

Calabash: about 14 miles
Southport: about 24 miles
Wilmington: about 34 miles
Wilmington International Airport (ILM): about 38 miles
Myrtle Beach, SC: about 40 miles
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): about 43 miles
Raleigh: about 164 miles

That in-between location is one of Shallotte’s biggest selling points. You can fly out of Wilmington or Myrtle Beach, and both cities are within about an hour on US 17.

Shallotte Population & Demographics

Shallotte is small but growing. The town had 3,675 residents at the 2010 Census and 4,185 at the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey puts it at about 4,639. It is also part of one of the fastest-growing counties in the country: Brunswick County grew from 136,693 people in 2020 to an estimated 174,702 in 2025, a 27.8% increase.

Compared with its beach neighbors, Shallotte skews younger. The median age is 45.5, well below the Brunswick County median of 56.4, and fewer than one in four residents is 65 or older.

Measure	Shallotte	Brunswick County	North Carolina	United States
Population (2020 Census)	4,185	136,693	—	—
Population (ACS 2020–2024)	4,639	152,568	10,730,404	334,922,500
Median age	45.5	56.4	39.1	38.9
Residents 65 and older	23.7%	33.8%	17.2%	17.2%
Median household income	$88,367	$77,024	$72,388	$80,734
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	23.1%	34.7%	35.7%	35.7%
Owner-occupied homes	63.7%	84.6%	66.6%	65.2%
Poverty rate	10.3%	9.2%	13.0%	12.5%

Sources: 2010 and 2020 Census counts from Wikipedia and U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts; all other rows are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates via Census Reporter. Because Shallotte is small, some ACS figures have wide margins of error (median age ±5.4 years; median income ±$21,272), so treat them as rough guides.

Shallotte has a higher share of renters than the county overall, with about 36% of homes renter-occupied, which gives newcomers more options if they want to rent first.

Is Shallotte Safe?

We did not find a recent, reliable crime-rate source for Shallotte that we felt comfortable quoting. The town has its own police department, and the Shallotte Police Department is the best place to ask about a particular street or neighborhood. Homes just outside town limits are served by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. As with any move, visit the area at different times of day before you commit. One helpful safety note for homeowners: the town reports that the Shallotte Fire Department has received an ISO Class 2 rating, which is worth mentioning to your insurance agent.

Cost of Living in Shallotte

Home Prices

Shallotte is one of the more affordable places to buy near the Brunswick County beaches. Zillow’s Home Value Index for Shallotte was about $317,600 in August 2026, up 0.8% from a year earlier. That is below the typical U.S. home value of about $368,700 and not far from the North Carolina figure of about $334,800. For comparison, Zillow puts nearby Oak Island at about $604,000.

The Census Bureau’s median value for owner-occupied homes in Shallotte is $349,500 (2020–2024), almost identical to the Brunswick County median of $349,800, and above the North Carolina median of $288,900. The ACS number has a margin of error of about ±$22,600, so the two sources are telling a similar story: Shallotte homes cost roughly what the county average does, and far less than island homes.

Rent

Zillow’s Observed Rent Index for Shallotte was about $1,725 a month in August 2026, though Zillow’s sample here is small and it does not publish a year-over-year comparison. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent for Shallotte is $1,256 (±$152), a little below the Brunswick County median of $1,351 and close to the North Carolina median of $1,228. Zillow’s national typical rent is about $1,948, so Shallotte renters generally come out ahead of the national average.

Best Neighborhoods in Shallotte

Downtown and Main Street

The streets around Main Street, Mulberry Park and the riverwalk are the heart of town. Town Hall is on Cheers Street, Mulberry Park has a playground, amphitheater and community garden, and the riverwalk hosts Market-Fest and the summer concert series. Living here means you can walk to local cafes and events and still reach the beach in minutes. It suits people who want a small-town routine, older adults who want services close by, and renters who want to be near everything.

Shallotte Point

Shallotte Point is where the Shallotte River meets the Intracoastal Waterway, south of downtown along Village Point Road. It is home to Inlet View Bar & Grill and some of the town’s best water views. Homes near the water here appeal to boaters and anyone who wants marsh and river views without buying on an island. Ask about flood zones and insurance before you fall in love with a waterfront lot.

Whiteville Road and the North Side

The north side of town along Whiteville Road and the US 17 corridor is where you will find West Brunswick High School, Shallotte Crossing Parkway shopping and restaurants, and indoor entertainment like Planet Fun. Union Elementary and Shallotte Middle are also in the Shallotte area. This side of town suits families who want short school runs and quick access to US 17 for commuting toward Wilmington or Myrtle Beach.

Weather & Climate in Shallotte

Shallotte has a warm, humid coastal climate. The closest long-term NOAA station with a full set of 1991–2020 climate normals is at North Myrtle Beach’s airport. There, the annual average temperature is 64.0°F. January is the coolest month, with an average high of 55.7°F and a low of 36.7°F. July is the warmest, averaging a high of 87.6°F and a low of 73.7°F.

The station averages about 48.5 inches of precipitation a year. August (6.25 inches) and September (6.65 inches) are the wettest months, mostly because of summer storms and tropical systems. Snow is rare.

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. Being on the mainland means no island bridge to worry about, but homes near the river and the waterway should still check flood zones and insurance.

Best months to move: March through May and October through November bring comfortable temperatures and less beach traffic on US 17 and the island roads. If you move in summer, start early in the day to beat the heat and afternoon storms.

Things to Do in Shallotte

Shallotte Riverwalk and Market-Fest

The town manages the Riverwalk along the Shallotte River and Riverside Park. Market-Fest at the Riverwalk and the summer concert series are two of the town’s signature events, and they are an easy way for newcomers to meet neighbors.

Mulberry Park

Mulberry Park, at 123 Mulberry Street off Main Street, has a playground, amphitheater, community garden and picnic shelter. The town also runs the Mulberry Community Center and hosts seasonal events like an Easter egg hunt, a Spooktacular Halloween, Touch a Truck and a Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Shallotte District Park

At the north end of Main Street (5550 Main St.), Shallotte District Park is managed by Brunswick County Parks and Recreation. It has facilities for tennis, basketball, baseball, football and soccer, plus a picnic area and children’s play area.

Rivers Edge Golf Club

Rivers Edge Golf Club is at 2000 Arnold Palmer Drive, reached from NC 179 by turning onto Copas Road. It is the golf course the town itself points visitors to, and it is a quick drive from downtown.

Planet Fun

For rainy days and kids’ birthdays, Planet Fun at 349 Whiteville Road is the town’s big indoor entertainment spot, with Starz Grille inside.

The Beaches Next Door

Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach are both close by. In Ocean Isle Beach, the Museum of Coastal Carolina (21 East 2nd Street) has live fish, turtles, a saltwater touch tank and natural history exhibits, which makes it a good outing with kids on a cloudy beach day.

Where to Eat in Shallotte

The Purple Onion Cafe

The Purple Onion is a downtown cafe on Main Street (the town lists it at 4647 Main St.) with an associated catering business. It is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch and a comfortable place to meet a friend after running errands.

El Coqui’s Restaurant & Bar

El Coqui’s, at 5211 Main Street, serves Puerto Rican food, which is not easy to find along this stretch of coast. It is a nice change from the seafood and chain options along US 17.

Inlet View Bar & Grill

Inlet View sits at 1800 Village Point Road at Shallotte Point, where the Shallotte River meets the Intracoastal Waterway. It is a restaurant and tiki bar with waterfront views, and it reopened for the 2026 season. It does not take reservations or call-ahead orders, so plan to arrive early on summer evenings.

Jobs & Economy

Shallotte is a busy commercial area for western Brunswick County. The town’s own restaurant list includes dozens of places along Main Street, Holden Beach Road and Shallotte Crossing Parkway, and the weekly Brunswick Beacon newspaper is based here.

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 top employer with more than 1,000 employees, according to the NC Rural Center. The county’s average weekly wage was $953 in 2023, and total employment grew 38% from 2013 to 2023. Wilmington and the Grand Strand in South Carolina are both within commuting distance.

Schools in Shallotte

Shallotte 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 in the Shallotte area include Union Elementary (180 Union School Road NW), Shallotte Middle (225 Village Road) and West Brunswick High (550 Whiteville Road NW). Attendance zones are based on your address, and the district has a redistricting process underway, so check the district’s “Which school will my child attend?” tool before you buy or sign a lease.

Brunswick Community College’s main campus is in Bolivia, and its Brunswick Educational & Trades Center is in nearby Supply at 104 Ocean Highway East.

Shallotte Quick Facts

County	Brunswick
Incorporated	1899
Pronunciation	shuh-LOHT
ZIP codes	28470 (most addresses); 28459 (Town Hall P.O. box)
Area codes	910 (with the 472 overlay)
Population	4,185 (2020 Census)
Area	9.3 square miles
Main roads	US 17, US 17 Business (Main Street), NC 179
Nearest commercial airports	Wilmington (ILM), about 38 miles; Myrtle Beach (MYR), about 43 miles
Public schools	Brunswick County Schools
Town Hall	106 Cheers Street

Moving to Shallotte: Tips From Our Crew

Know which Main Street you are on. Main Street is US 17 Business, and the US 17 bypass runs northwest of downtown. Depending on your address, the bypass can be the easier route for a large truck. Give our Shallotte moving crew your full address and we will plan the route in advance.
Pick a weekday in summer. Shallotte sits on the way to Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach, so summer weekends add vacation traffic. A Tuesday through Thursday move keeps things simpler for everyone.
Sign up for CodeRED alerts. The town uses CodeRED for emergency and service notices. You can enroll by texting SHALLOTTE to 99411, which is worth doing before hurricane season.
Set up sewer service with the town. The Town of Shallotte runs the local sewer system and bills residents directly, and new construction pays a capital reserve fee. If you are building, ask the town about fees before closing.
Plan for storms from June to November. If you are moving during hurricane season, keep a backup date in mind. We never charge a rescheduling fee if weather forces a change.
Use storage if your dates don’t line up. If you are building a new home or your closing dates don’t match, our storage service can hold your belongings between your old home and your new one.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Shallotte

How do you pronounce Shallotte?

It is pronounced “shuh-LOHT,” with the emphasis on the second syllable. Locals will know right away if you are new, but nobody minds. The name comes from the Shallotte River, which runs through the middle of town and meets the Intracoastal Waterway at Shallotte Point.

Is Shallotte a good place for families?

Many families think so. The median age is 45.5, younger than Brunswick County overall, and the town has an elementary, middle and high school nearby, several parks, a county athletic park and year-round events. Home prices are also lower than on the islands, which leaves more room in the budget.

How far is Shallotte from the beach?

Shallotte is a mainland town, but Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach are both short drives away. Many people choose Shallotte because they can reach the beach quickly while paying mainland prices and skipping the island bridges.

How much do movers cost for a move to Shallotte?

Cost depends on the size of your home, the distance, the date and access at both ends. The fastest way to get an accurate number is a free quote from one of our owners. For long-distance moves, we give a binding estimate, so your price never changes after you book, and military families save 5%.

Is Shallotte close to Myrtle Beach and Wilmington?

Yes. Shallotte sits roughly halfway between the two on US 17: about 34 miles to Wilmington and about 40 miles to Myrtle Beach. That makes it a practical base if you work in one city, fly out of either airport, or want easy access to both.

Move to Shallotte With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. Our owners, Matthew Treharn and Amber Hallaman, back every job 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, never a subcontractor.

From local moves across Brunswick County to long-distance moves into the area, our Shallotte movers handle packing, storage and heavy items like pianos and safes. Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081, and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

Get My Price