Brunswick County is located on the coast of south east North Carolina where peace and harmony await you on the county's islands and beaches. While other beach towns have seen an explosion of clutter and traffic in recent years, the Brunswick Islands have managed to retain their charm and solitude. The county moves at a slower pace than the big cities, and that is part of the Brunswick Island's appeal. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the un-paralleled beauty of the beaches, southern hospitality and the freshest seafood around!
Many people who visit Brunswick County on vacation find themselves coming back permanently. Residents also enjoy close proximity to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina without having to live in the tourist-packed regions. Brunswick County is a true Coastal Paradise, so come and experience it for yourself! The lifestyle is relaxed and friendlyvsovit doesn't take long for newcomers to unwind and join the fun.
The weather, a sub-tropical climate, is ideal year-round and keeps outdoor activities always enjoyable.
Summer
Winter
Rainfall
73 degrees
51 degrees
41 inches
The county was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County. It was named for the colonial port of Brunswick, NC (now in ruins) which was itself named for Duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg, at the time held by the British kings of the House of Hanover.
Rice was an important crop for Brunswick County. In 1772, while most rice was produced for local consumption, more than 500 barrels were shipped from Port Brunswick. In 1860, Brunswick County produced 6,775,286 pounds of rice, which was about 90% of the state's total rice production.
Over many years, rice crops have been replaced with homes and businesses and Brunswick County has become a nice, quiet vacation lovers destiny.
Census Report 2000
Population
Median Household Income
Median Family Income
Median Age
73,143
$35,888
$42,037
42 years
Brunswick County is served by the Brunswick County School District, with 9 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools and 1 early college. The county is committed to the teaching of excellency. The district focuses on test scores for each grade level, ensuring that each child will meet the required scores for the NCSCOS end of year test by coordinating district-level teams to compile pacing guides and teacher resource materials that are fully aligned with the NCSCOS.
Cities and Towns
Bald Head Island Belville Boiling Spring Lakes Bolivia Calabash Carolina Shores Caswell Beach Holden Beach Leland Navassa
Northwest Oak Island Ocean Isle Beach Sandy Creek Shallotte Southport St. James Sunset Beach Varnamtown Winnabow
Unincorporated Communities
Supply
Other Areas
Bird Island
Townships The county is divided into six townships: Lockwood's Folly, Northwest, Shallotte, Smithville, Town Creek, and Waccamaw.
Brunswick County offers top notch entertainment and fun activities for its residents and visitors. You can tour the whole county and get a taste of all of the treasures it has to offer - pristine beaches, quaint fishing villages and historic landmarks. The Brunswick Islands have a vast number of arts and crafts dealers, antique shops and roadside produce stands where you can soak up the local flavors.
Driving through the area from south to north, you may want to plan a few days to visit each of the five islands and six area beaches and stop by local merchants and restaurants. The Brunswick Islands boast over 45 miles of beach. The beaches are widely-known for their cleanliness and family-friendly atmosphere. Locals also take special pride in a care and concern for local wildlife. You will most likely come across more than one friendly reminder to respect the sea turtle nesting sites and fragile beach dunes.
Brunswick County has been rated one of the top areas to play golf in several national golf publications. The county offers over 35 beautifully-maintained public golf courses.
