Brunswick County: North Carolina's Coastal Gem

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is located in the Coastal Plain region of southeastern North Carolina. It was formed in 1764 from New Hanover and Bladen Counties and was named after King George I, who was also the Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg. The county seat is Southport, and it has a population of around 136,693 people as of 2020, with a total area of 846.97 square miles. Brunswick County is known for its accessible and popular ocean communities, including Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Bald Head Island. It's a popular tourist destination, offering a range of attractions such as golf courses, charter boat fishing, and historic sites such as Fort Anderson.

Brunswick, NC is in Columbus County

Brunswick, North Carolina, is a town in Columbus County. It has a population of 973 people, according to the 2020 census, and a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2). Brunswick is known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, and charming coastal towns.

The town has a diverse racial composition, with 41.94% White, 55.00% African American, 2.78% Native American, and 0.28% of the population being of two or more races as of the 2020 census. The median household income is $15,795, and the median family income is $16,786.

Brunswick holds a significant place in North Carolina's history. During the pre-Revolutionary period, it served as a major port on the Cape Fear River. However, in 1776, British troops razed the town and never rebuilt it. Fort Anderson was constructed on the old village site during the Civil War, serving as a defence for the Confederacy. Today, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson stands as a historic site, allowing visitors to explore the colonial and Civil War history of the region.

In addition to its historical significance, Brunswick, NC, located in Columbus County, offers a range of attractions for visitors. The town boasts six beautiful beaches across five barrier islands, each with its unique character and charm. From resort-style stays to family adventures, there is something for everyone. The maritime town of Southport, known as America's Happiest Seaside Town, is a popular destination with its movie sets and museums.

Brunswick County, where the town of Brunswick is located, is home to several historic sites and cultural institutions. Orton Plantation and Gardens, dating back to 1730, the Bald Head Island Lighthouse ("Old Baldy"), and the Brunswick Inn, built in 1859, are just a few examples. The county also hosts well-attended annual events, such as the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival and the Christmas-by-the-Sea Festival.

Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson

In the mid-19th century, during the American Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed on the ruins of Brunswick Town. It was built as a Confederate Fort by Major General Samuel Gibbs French to protect the Cape Fear River inlets and Wilmington upstream. The fort was pivotal in defending the area against the Union blockade and served as a dropping-off point for blockade runners bringing supplies to the Confederacy. Fort Anderson was originally named Fort St. Philip after the ruins of a nearby church from the Revolutionary period. The name was later changed to honour Colonel George B. Anderson.

Today, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson is a North Carolina State Historic Site and a working archaeological site. Visitors can explore the ancient ruins of Brunswick Town and learn about its history at the on-site museum and visitor centre. The present-day tour trail crosses the earthworks of Fort Anderson and is dotted with colonial foundations. The site has also been used as a filming location for television shows such as Sleepy Hollow.

Brunswick County's beaches

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is home to six beautiful beaches, each with its own unique charm. Stretched across five barrier islands, the beaches offer a range of tastes, activities, and interests for visitors. From resort-style stays to family adventures, there is something for everyone at Brunswick County's beaches, all accented by sea breezes, sunny days, and rolling surf.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is a haven for wildlife and nature lovers. It is known for its wide and flat shoreline, offering unobstructed coastal views and plenty of room to run, bike, play, or relax. Sunset Beach is also home to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox, a hidden gem that adds to the magic of this beach.

Ocean Isle Beach

The palm tree-lined streets and easy-going spirit of Ocean Isle Beach have made it a favourite among families. Its shoreline offers unobstructed views and plenty of space to enjoy a variety of activities. It has been named one of the country's best family beaches by National Geographic Traveler.

Holden Beach

Holden Beach, with its small-town charm and endless family fun, has also been recognised as one of the country's best family beaches. With the Intracoastal Waterway as its backyard, exploring the area by boat, board, or bike is a must. Holden Beach offers a range of vacation rentals, including houses, duplexes, and condos, making it a great choice for those seeking a relaxing getaway.

Oak Island

Oak Island provides the perfect setting for families to create cherished memories. With over 10 miles of uncrowded shoreline, Oak Island offers a traditional summer beach vacation experience. Its beaches are known for being wide and spacious, providing plenty of room for visitors to enjoy a variety of activities.

Caswell Beach

Caswell Beach is the place to go if you're seeking quiet seclusion and seemingly endless sand. As the least inhabited of the Brunswick Islands beaches, it offers peaceful, inviting stretches of sand and sea, guarded by the trusted beacon of the Oak Island Lighthouse.

Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island is a resort-style island that can only be accessed by ferry. Leave your worries and cares behind as you soak up the pristine beaches and relaxing atmosphere of this unique destination.

Brunswick County's golf courses

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is a popular vacation destination, known for its beautiful beaches, temperate seasons, and unique attractions. It is also a golfer's paradise, boasting more than 30 memorable golf courses to accompany its 45 miles of pristine coastline.

The county's majestic Intracoastal Waterway, expansive marshes, and world-class designs draw thousands of golfers each year. The courses are designed by renowned architects such as Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones, and Fred Couples, ensuring a top-flight golfing experience.

• Beau Rivage Golf & Resort: Located along the Cape Fear region, offering a variety of activities, including sunning at local beaches and an 18-hole golf course.
• Bald Head Island Club: An elite island community featuring a championship 18-hole golf course, fine dining, tennis, and fitness facilities.
• Brick Landing Plantation Golf Club: Nestled in the Cape Fear area, known for its scenic beauty and challenging field-of-play, offering brilliant views.
• Leopard's Chase Golf Club: One of the five "Big Cat" golf courses, located in Sunset Beach, offering a world-class golfing experience.
• Lion's Paw Golf Links: Another stunning coastal course that is part of the "Big Cat" collection, providing a challenging field of play for golfers.
• Lockwood Folly Country Club: Voted the "Best Golf Course in Brunswick County" in 2012, this club offers scenic greens and a fun day away from the beach.
• Oak Island Golf Club: A favourite destination among Wilmington residents and visitors, located in the golfer's paradise of Coastal Carolina.
• Thistle Golf Club & Estates: An exclusive golfing destination featuring 27 challenging and eye-catching holes, designed in a traditional Scottish style.
• Tiger's Eye Golf Links: An elite "Big Cat" course carved into a virgin pine forest, offering a daily fee course for golfers.
• Sandpiper Bay Golf and Country Club: Located in Sunset Beach, featuring three classic 9-hole Carolina golf courses—the Sand Course, the Piper Course, and the Bay Course.

Brunswick County's population

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is the southernmost county in the state. It has seen rapid population growth in recent years, with a nominal growth rate of approximately 47% between 2000 and 2020. The population of Brunswick County was 136,693 as per the 2020 census, a significant increase from the 73,143 recorded in 2000. The 2024 estimate puts the population at 167,020, with a growth rate of 4.41% in the past year.

The county seat, Bolivia, has a population of around 150, making it one of the least populous county seats in North Carolina. Leland is the largest community in the county. The population density in the county is 86 people per square mile (as of 2020), with a total area of 1,049.54 square miles, of which 850.08 square miles is land, and 19.00% is water.

The racial makeup of the county, as per the 2020 census, was predominantly White (82.30%), with Black or African American residents making up 14.38%, 0.68% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, and the remaining 1.32% from other races, with 1.01% from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population made up 2.68% of the total.

The median age in the county is 42 years, with a median household income of $35,888, and a median family income of $42,037. The per capita income is $19,857. The county has a poverty rate of 12.6%, with 19.4% of those under 18 and 8.1% of those 65 or older living below the poverty line.

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