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Advertise here →Emerald Isle, NC · Market Data
Emerald Isle, North Carolina real estate market data.
Real estate market data for Emerald Isle, NC (Carteret County) — Census median home value $563,600, county listing prices up about 4.3% over the past year.
Emerald Isle, NC is in Carteret County, North Carolina — covering the whole local market here: resale homes, condos, land, and new construction. The most recent Census estimate puts the population at 3,915, with a median household income of $89,432. Census data puts Emerald Isle's median home value at $563,600 (all owner-occupied homes); Carteret County's current median listing price runs $577,450, up about 4.3% over the past year.
At a glance
Emerald Isle market snapshot
Population
3,915
Median Household Income
$89,432
Median Home Value (city)
$563,600
Median Listing Price (Carteret County)
$577,450
Median Gross Rent
$1,688/mo
Price Trend (YoY)
+4.3%
Market data compiled from public sources; deemed reliable but not guaranteed; verify independently. Full source list ↗
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Advertise here →Why Emerald Isle
What makes Emerald Isle different
Home Value, By Source
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimate) puts Emerald Isle's median home value — across all owner-occupied homes, not just recent sales — at $563,600. Separately, Carteret County's current median listing price (via Realtor.com data, 2026-06-01) runs $577,450. These cover different geography (city vs. county) and different measures (assessed value vs. active listings), which is why we show both rather than picking one — full source list on our data sources page.
County Price Trend
Carteret County's FHFA house price index shows a 9.52% annual change in 2025.
Population & Income
Emerald Isle has an estimated population of 3,915 and a median household income of $89,432, per the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimate).
Affordability Snapshot
Emerald Isle's Census-reported median home value works out to about 6.3x the area's median household income, and median gross rent runs roughly 23% of that same income on an annualized basis. Housing economists commonly flag a price-to-income ratio above 4x as historically elevated -- useful context, not a personal affordability verdict.
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Common questions
Emerald Isle FAQ
What are home values like in Emerald Isle, NC?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey puts Emerald Isle's median home value at $563,600. Carteret County's current median listing price runs $577,450, up about 4.3% over the past year.
What is the population of Emerald Isle, NC?
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimate) puts Emerald Isle's population at approximately 3,915.
What's the median rent in Emerald Isle, NC?
The Census ACS estimates median gross rent in Emerald Isle at approximately $1,688 per month.
What is the median household income in Emerald Isle, NC?
Census ACS data puts the median household income in Emerald Isle at approximately $89,432.
Is the Emerald Isle housing market growing?
Carteret County's FHFA house price index shows a 9.52% annual change in 2025.
Is Emerald Isle, NC affordable relative to income?
Census ACS data puts Emerald Isle's median home value at about 6.3 times the median household income, with median gross rent equal to roughly 23% of that income annually. This is a general benchmark, not a personal pre-qualification -- your own income, debt, and down payment determine what you can actually afford.
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