Brunswick County, North Carolina

Not to be confused with Brunswick, North Carolina.

Brunswick County
County
Brunswick County Courthouse
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°02′N78°14′W / 34.04°N 78.23°W / 34.04; -78.23
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
Founded	March 9, 1764
Named for	Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Seat	Bolivia
Largest community	Leland
Area
• Total	1,049.54 sq mi (2,718.3 km2)
• Land	850.08 sq mi (2,201.7 km2)
• Water	199.46 sq mi (516.6 km2)  19.00%
Population  (2020)
• Total	136,693
• Estimate  (2023)	159,964
• Density	160.80/sq mi (62.09/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	7th
Website	www.brunswickcountync.gov

Brunswick County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the southernmost county in the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 136,693. ^[1] Its population was only 73,143 in 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. ^[2] With a nominal growth rate of approximately 47% in ten years, much of the growth is centered in the eastern section of the county in the suburbs of Wilmington such as Leland, Belville and Southport. The county seat is Bolivia, which at a population of around 150 people is among the least populous county seats in the state. ^[3]

Brunswick County is part of the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. From 2013 to 2023, the county was part of the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. During that time, Brunswick County and Wilmington area leaders disputed the change, including many government leaders like Senator Richard Burr. Ultimately, their efforts were a success because the county was added back into the MSA after a 2023 realignment. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Much of the economy of the county is built around tourism, with beach communities lying along the south-facing beaches past Cape Fear such as Bald Head Island (the southernmost point of North Carolina) and Oak Island being popular destinations. Calabash, on the border of South Carolina, is renowned for its fried seafood, with "Calabash-style" restaurants dotting the region. The proximity to Cinespace Wilmington in nearby Wilmington has made Brunswick County a popular filming location for many movies and TV shows.

History

The county was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County. ^[8] It was named for the colonial port of Brunswick Town, which itself was named for George I, the King of England and Duke of Brunswick. ^[9]

Following the destruction of Brunswick Town during the American Revolutionary War, the southern portion of the county increased in population, with the town of Smithville being incorporated in 1805. Three years later it was designated the county seat. During the antebellum era, Brunswick experienced some growth. The slave labor force increased to serve plantations in their production of naval stores, corn, cotton, and rice; by 1860 over 44 percent of the county's population were slaves. During the American Civil War, forces of the Confederate State of America erected Fort Anderson near the ruins of Brunswick Town to defend against federal attacks on the Cape Fear River and the Port of Wilmington. Brunswick County did not experience much growth in the latter half of the 19th century. Smithville was renamed Southport in 1887. Beginning in the 1930s, development along the county's beaches occurred, and between 1955 and 1975, six communities on the county's barrier islands were incorporated. ^[8]

Geography

Interactive map of Brunswick County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,049.54 square miles (2,718.3 km²), of which 850.08 square miles (2,201.7 km²) is land and 199.46 square miles (516.6 km²) (19.00%) is water. ^[10] It is the fourth-largest county in North Carolina by total area. The Brunswick River and the Cape Fear River provide access to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Brunswick Nuclear Generating Station is to the north of Southport.

Hydrogeology

The principal ground-water-supply sources for Brunswick County are the surficial aquifer for domestic supplies and the Castle Hayne aquifer for municipal supplies. ^[11]

State and local protected area/sites

• Bald Head Island Conservancy
• Bald Head Island Natural Area
• Bald Head Woods Maritime Forest Preserve
• Bird Island Reserve ^[12]
• Brunswick County Botanical Garden ^[13]
• Brunswick Nature Park ^[14]
• Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
• Columbus County Game Land (part) ^[15]
• Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve ^[16]
• Fort Caswell Historic District
• Green Swamp Game Land ^[15]
• Green Swamp Preserve (part)
• Juniper Creek Game Land (part) ^[15]
• Museum of Coastal Carolina
• Myrtle Head Savanna ^[17]
• North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport (Fort Johnston also located on property)
• Oak Island Lighthouse
• Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum
• Orton Creek Preserve
• South of Onslow County Mechanical Harvesting of Oysters Prohibited Area (part) ^[18]
• Zekes Island Estuarine Reserve Dedicated Nature Preserve (part)
• Zeke's Island Reserve (part)

Major water bodies

• Alligator Creek ^[19]
• Atlantic Ocean (North Atlantic Ocean)
• Brunswick River
• Cape Fear River
• Elizabeth River ^[20]
• Frying Pan Shoals
• Intracoastal Waterway
• Lockwood Folly River
• Little River
• Long Bay
• North Lake ^[21]
• Northeast Cape Fear River
• Onslow Bay
• Orton Pond ^[22]
• Patricia Lake ^[23]
• Saucepan Creek ^[24]
• Shallotte River
• Town Creek ^[25]
• Waccamaw River

Major islands

• Bald Head Island
• Bird Island
• Eagles Island ^[26]
• Oak Island

Major beaches

• Caswell Beach
• Holden Beach
• Long Beach
• Ocean Isle Beach
• Sunset Beach
• Yaupon Beach

Adjacent counties

• Pender County – north
• New Hanover County – east
• Columbus County – west-northwest
• Horry County, South Carolina – west

Major highways

• 
  Future I-74
• I-140  / NC 140
• US 17
• 
  US 17 Bus. (Bolivia)
• 
  US 17 Bus. (Shallotte)
• US 74
• US 76
• US 421
• NC 87
• NC 130
• 
  NC 130 Bus.
• NC 133
• NC 179
• 
  NC 179 Bus.
• NC 211
• NC 904
• NC 906

Major infrastructure

• Bald Head Island Ferry, private ferry that serves Bald Head Island
• Cape Fear Regional Jetport, near Oak Island
• Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, military terminal near Southport
• Odell Williamson Municipal Airport
• Southport–Fort Fisher Ferry (to New Hanover County)

Demographics

2020 census

Brunswick County racial composition ^[27]

Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	110,716	81.0%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	11,392	8.33%
Native American	743	0.54%
Asian	890	0.65%
Pacific Islander	75	0.05%
Other/Mixed	5,457	3.99%
Hispanic or Latino	7,420	5.43%

As of the 2020 census, there were 136,693 people, 59,416 households, and 39,806 families residing in the county. ^[1]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, ^[28] there were 73,143 people, 30,438 households, and 22,037 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile (33 people/km²). There were 51,431 housing units at an average density of 60 units per square mile (23 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.30% White, 14.38% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.32% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 2.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,438 households, out of which 25.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 29.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,888, and the median income for a family was $42,037. Males had a median income of $30,138 versus $22,066 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,857. About 9.50% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.40% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Demographic change

Historical population

Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1790 3,071 — 1800 4,110 33.8% 1810 4,778 16.3% 1820 5,480 14.7% 1830 6,516 18.9% 1840 6,255 −4.0% 1850 7,272 16.3% 1860 8,406 15.6% 1870 7,754 −7.8% 1880 9,389 21.1% 1890 10,900 16.1% 1900 12,657 16.1% 1910 14,432 14.0% 1920 14,876 3.1% 1930 15,818 6.3% 1940 17,125 8.3% 1950 19,238 12.3% 1960 20,278 5.4% 1970 24,223 19.5% 1980 35,777 47.7% 1990 50,985 42.5% 2000 73,143 43.5% 2010 107,431 46.9% 2020 136,693 27.2% 2023 (est.) 159,964 [1] 17.0% U.S. Decennial Census [29] 1790–1960 [30] 1900–1990 [31] 1990–2000 [32] 2010 [33] 2020 [1]

Between the period from 2020 to 2023, Brunswick County had the highest estimated growth in population among North Carolina's counties at 15.8 percent. ^[34] Much of the recent growth has been driven by the in-migration of retirees, and as of 2023 the county has the highest median age in North Carolina. ^{[35] [36]}

Government and politics

Brunswick County is a member of the regional Cape Fear Council of Governments.

The county lies in the inner coastal plain, most of which was highly pro-secession, and part of the Democratic “Solid South” from the late 19th century through 1964. However, Brunswick County was less fertile than the “Black Belt” and consequently had significant pro-Union and Populist sympathies. The county frequently backed Republicans at state and local levels even when the state was consistently Democratic apart from Herbert Hoover’s 1928 victory. Only three times since the Civil War – Grover Cleveland in 1888, Alton B. Parker in 1904 and Jimmy Carter in 1980 ^[37] – has Brunswick County backed a losing Democratic presidential candidate. Carter in that 1980 election remains the last Democrat to win a majority of Brunswick County’s ballots, although Bill Clinton won a plurality in 1992.

United States presidential election results for Brunswick County, North Carolina ^{[38] [39]}

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	55,850	61.94%	33,310	36.94%	1,015	1.13%
2016	42,720	62.50%	23,282	34.06%	2,349	3.44%
2012	34,743	60.57%	22,038	38.42%	581	1.01%
2008	30,753	58.46%	21,331	40.55%	524	1.00%
2004	22,925	60.37%	14,903	39.24%	149	0.39%
2000	15,427	53.49%	13,118	45.49%	294	1.02%
1996	10,065	45.70%	10,041	45.59%	1,917	8.70%
1992	8,833	39.43%	10,177	45.43%	3,390	15.13%
1988	10,007	55.78%	7,881	43.93%	51	0.28%
1984	9,673	58.67%	6,774	41.08%	41	0.25%
1980	5,897	45.35%	6,761	52.00%	345	2.65%
1976	3,636	32.86%	7,377	66.66%	53	0.48%
1972	6,153	69.06%	2,500	28.06%	256	2.87%
1968	2,404	27.52%	2,972	34.03%	3,358	38.45%
1964	3,721	46.74%	4,240	53.26%	0	0.00%
1960	2,915	40.37%	4,305	59.63%	0	0.00%
1956	3,299	50.02%	3,297	49.98%	0	0.00%
1952	2,958	50.06%	2,951	49.94%	0	0.00%
1948	1,896	40.49%	2,052	43.82%	735	15.70%
1944	1,997	45.98%	2,346	54.02%	0	0.00%
1940	1,522	35.90%	2,717	64.10%	0	0.00%
1936	1,625	37.49%	2,710	62.51%	0	0.00%
1932	1,798	44.29%	2,245	55.30%	17	0.42%
1928	1,931	65.48%	1,018	34.52%	0	0.00%
1924	1,296	52.79%	1,118	45.54%	41	1.67%
1920	1,362	52.08%	1,253	47.92%	0	0.00%
1916	989	54.94%	810	45.00%	1	0.06%
1912	280	18.51%	777	51.35%	456	30.14%
1908	841	58.08%	607	41.92%	0	0.00%
1904	487	46.34%	564	53.66%	0	0.00%
1900	643	53.85%	525	43.97%	26	2.18%
1896	878	40.69%	1,279	59.27%	1	0.05%
1892	446	23.65%	755	40.03%	685	36.32%
1888	965	48.44%	1,023	51.36%	4	0.20%
1884	936	50.21%	928	49.79%	0	0.00%
1880	889	53.33%	746	44.75%	32	1.92%

Economy

Due to its rapidly growing population, the economy in Brunswick County is relatively robust and growing. Jobs in the food service and retail sectors have experienced the greatest expansion in the recent past. Owing to the large presence of retirees, a substantial amount of income in the county is generated through the collection of dividends from investments and various benefits including pensions and Social Security payments. ^[36] Less than half of county residents participate in the work force. Of those that do, a significant proportion commute outside the county for work. ^[40]

Culture

The Brunswick town of Calabash is nationally known for its style of lightly-breaded fried seafood. ^{[8] [41]} The town of Navassa is a historically Gullah community, though due to frequent contact with the outside world and involvement in industry the descendants of Gullah people in the area do not speak the Gullah language. ^[42]

Communities

Map of Brunswick County with municipal and township labels

Incorporated communities

Brunswick County includes to 19 incorporated communities: ^[43]

• Boiling Spring Lakes
• Northwest
• Southport
• Belville
• Bolivia (county seat)
• Calabash
• Carolina Shores
• Caswell Beach
• Holden Beach
• Leland (largest community)
• Navassa
• Oak Island
• Ocean Isle Beach
• Sandy Creek
• Shallotte
• St. James
• Sunset Beach
• Varnamtown
• Bald Head Island

Townships

• Lockwoods Folly
• Northwest
• Shalotte
• Smithville
• Town Creek
• Waccamaw

Unincorporated communities

• Antioch
• Ash
• Batarora
• Bell Swamp
• Bishop
• Biven
• Bonaparte Landing
• Boone's Neck
• Bowensville
• Brunswick Station
• Camp Branch
• Cedar Grove
• Civietown
• Clairmont
• Coolvale
• Doe Creek
• Eastbrook
• Easy Hill
• Fort Caswell
• Grissettown
• Half Hell
• Longwood
• Maco
• Old Town
• Piney Grove
• Red Bug
• Sunset Harbor
• Supply
• Thomasboro
• Town Creek
• Winnabow

See also

• List of counties in North Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Brunswick County, North Carolina
• Films and television shows produced in Wilmington, North Carolina
• Colcor, political corruption investigation on government officials in neighboring Columbus County
• GenX, chemical compound found in the Cape Fear River, south of Fayetteville

References

1. "QuickFacts: Brunswick County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
2. "Brunswick is once again the fastest-growing county". WUNC. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "Regional fight continues to move Brunswick County back into Wilmington's MSA | WWAY NewsChannel 3 | Wilmington NC News". Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013. Wilmington disputes move
5. Still, Johanna F. (July 21, 2023). "Brunswick back in Wilmington MSA". WilmingtonBiz. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
6. WECT Staff (July 25, 2023). "Brunswick Co. returns to Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area". WECT. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
7. "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget . July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
8. Medlin, Eric (May 4, 2023). "From pivotal beginnings, Brunswick County history lives on". Coastal Review. North Carolina Coastal Federation. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
9. Ballard, Allison (October 7, 2016). "What's In A Name? Brunswick County Places". Coastal Review. North Carolina Coastal Federation. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
10. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
11. Harden, Stephen L. (2003). Hydrogeology and Ground-water Quality of Brunswick County, North Carolina. Raleigh, NC: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
12. "Bird Island Reserve | NC DEQ". deq.nc.gov. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
13. Ochota, Krystyna. "Brunswick County Botanical Garden". brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
14. "Brunswick Nature Park". www.ncbrunswick.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
15. "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
16. "EV Henwood". NC Coastal Land Trust. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
17. "OCC: Myrtle Head Savanna North Carolina". www.orchidconservationcoalition.org. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
18. "Oyster Restoration and Protection Plan for North Carolina" (PDF). www.nccoast.org. September 14, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
19. "Alligator Creek in Brunswick County NC". northcarolina.hometownlocator.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
20. "Elizabeth River in Brunswick County NC". northcarolina.hometownlocator.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
21. Spencer, Renee (June 6, 2023). "Dam reconstruction to begin in Boiling Spring Lakes despite cost-cutting measures". Wilmington Star-News. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
22. "Orton Pond". lib.digitalnc.org. The Forest History Society. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
23. Still, Johanna F. (April 10, 2023). "Refilling the water in Boiling Spring Lakes". WilmingtonBiz. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
24. "Pre-recession subdivision plans on Brunswick Peninsula revived by new owner". Port City Daily. October 13, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
25. "Town Creek Initiative". NC Coastal Land Trust. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
26. Island, Preserve Eagles. "Preserve Eagles Island". Preserve Eagles Island. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
27. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
28. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
29. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
30. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
31. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
32. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
33. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
34. Eanes, Zachery (March 15, 2024). "The Triangle suburbs continued to see rapid growth in 2023". Axios Raleigh. Axios Media. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
35. Harrison, Steve (December 19, 2022). "Brunswick County changes help explain why NC Democrats keep losing races for Senate and president". WFAE 90.7. WFAE. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
36. Dill, Emma (November 17, 2023). "Economic Snapshot: Brunswick County Economy Fueled By Growing, Aging Population". Wilmington Biz. SAJ Media. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
37. Melendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 265-270 ISBN   0786422173
38. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
39. "Géographie électorale" (in French). Retrieved January 13, 2021.
40. Cross, Jamey (January 13, 2024). "While residents call for development to stop in Brunswick, advocates say it's crucial". Wilmington Star-News. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
41. Wallace, Emily (May 29, 2023). "Lightly Breaded & Perfectly Fried: The Legacy of Calabash". Our State. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
42. Talton, Trista (March 9, 2020). "Navassa History Misunderstood: Planner". Coastal Review. North Carolina Coastal Federation. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
43. "Municipalities". Brunswick County, North Carolina. Brunswick County Government. Retrieved March 24, 2024.

External links

• Geographic data related to Brunswick County, North Carolina at OpenStreetMap
• Official website