Seawatch: Part Of Brunswick County's Commissioner District 5

Seawatch at Sunset Harbor is a community in Brunswick County, North Carolina. Brunswick County is the southernmost county in North Carolina and is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Bolivia, which has a population of around 150 people. Brunswick County is known for its beach communities, such as Bald Head Island and Oak Island, and its fried seafood, particularly in the town of Calabash. The county has a history dating back to the American Revolutionary War and was home to plantations and slave labour during the antebellum era. Today, Brunswick County is a popular filming location and has a growing economy, with a population of 136,693 as of the 2020 census.

Brunswick County's population growth

Brunswick County, North Carolina has seen significant population growth in recent years. As of 2024, the county's population is estimated to be 167,020, with a growth rate of 4.41% in the past year, according to the latest United States census data. This growth trend is not new; since 2010, the county has experienced a population increase of 54.55%, with the population growing from 108,070 in 2010 to 138,168 in 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have accelerated this growth. Between April 2020 and July 2021, the county's population increased by 4.4%, reaching 144,215. During this period, the Leland area, in particular, stood out as one of the fastest-growing regions in North Carolina, with an impressive growth rate of 8.6%, bringing its total population to 25,974.

The growth in Brunswick County is also reflected in its housing market. During the aforementioned period, the county witnessed the fastest-growing housing stock in the state, with a 4.2% increase, translating to 3,743 new units. This housing boom outpaced more populous counties like New Hanover and Durham, highlighting the attractiveness of Brunswick County as a residential area.

Among the towns within Brunswick County, Northwest, Navassa, Leland, and Calabash are notable for their high population increases. Northwest and Navassa saw their populations grow to 777 and 1,525, respectively. Meanwhile, the small border town of Calabash expanded to 2,192 residents. Oak Island, located on the opposite side of the county, also experienced a notable population jump, attracting 377 newcomers and pushing its population to nearly 8,900, a 4.4% increase.

In summary, Brunswick County, North Carolina, has been experiencing substantial population growth, particularly since the onset of the pandemic. This growth has been distributed across the county, with several towns, including Leland, Northwest, Navassa, and Calabash, leading the way in terms of percentage increases. The expansion of the housing market further underscores the county's appeal as a desirable place to live.

The county's economy and tourism

Brunswick County's Economy and Tourism

Brunswick County, located in the U.S. state of North Carolina, has a growing economy driven by its thriving tourism industry and rapid population growth. The county's population, as of the 2020 census, was recorded at 136,693, representing a remarkable 47% increase from the 2000 census. This growth has been particularly evident in the eastern section of the county, with suburbs like Leland, Belville, and Southport experiencing significant expansion.

Tourism plays a pivotal role in the county's economy, with numerous beach communities attracting visitors to its southern-facing beaches past Cape Fear. Bald Head Island, the southernmost point of North Carolina, and Oak Island are popular tourist destinations. The county also boasts a diverse range of attractions, including the Brunswick County Botanical Garden, the Brunswick Nature Park, and the Museum of Coastal Carolina.

In addition to its natural attractions, Brunswick County has become a sought-after filming location for movies and TV shows due to its proximity to Cinespace Wilmington. This has further bolstered the local economy and contributed to its growth.

The food service and retail sectors have experienced notable expansion in recent years, catering to the needs of both locals and tourists. The town of Calabash, renowned for its fried seafood, has put the county on the culinary map, with "Calabash-style" restaurants scattered throughout the region.

The county's growth has been influenced by the in-migration of retirees, resulting in a significant proportion of income being derived from dividends, investments, pensions, and Social Security payments. This demographic shift has shaped the economic landscape, with a large number of residents commuting outside the county for work.

Brunswick County's robust and evolving economy, underpinned by tourism and enhanced by its natural attractions, continues to be a driving force in the region's development and a draw for visitors and new residents alike.

The county's history and formation

Brunswick County, North Carolina, was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County. The area that is now Brunswick County was originally inhabited by Native Americans, including the Cape Fear Indians. In 1662, William Hilton of the Massachusetts Bay Colony explored the Cape Fear area with the intention of establishing a new settlement. In 1663, a group of New Englanders purchased 32 square miles of land from the Cape Fear Indians, but they left soon after, marking the first of several unsuccessful attempts at establishing settlements in the region.

In 1713, Thomas Smith was granted a large portion of land that included Smith Island (now Bald Head Island) and much of what is now Southport. In 1714, Thomas James was granted 1,000 acres of land on the west side of the Cape Fear River. In 1725, land was granted to several men, including Maurice Moore, who founded Brunswick Town in 1726. Brunswick Town was named for the colonial port of Brunswick Town, which was itself named for King George I, Duke of Brunswick.

In 1729, New Hanover County was established, containing the land in present-day Brunswick County. Brunswick Town served as the county seat of New Hanover County from 1729 until 1740 when it was moved to Wilmington, infuriating the Brunswick Town residents and sparking a long rivalry between the two towns. This rivalry eventually led to the formation of Brunswick County in 1764, with Brunswick Town as its county seat.

During the American Revolutionary War, Brunswick Town was destroyed and the southern portion of the county, including the town of Smithville (incorporated in 1792 and renamed Southport in 1887), began to grow. Smithville became the county seat in 1808, and the county experienced some growth in the antebellum era, with a slave labour force serving plantations producing naval stores, corn, cotton, and rice. By 1860, over 44% of the county's population were slaves.

During the American Civil War, Confederate forces 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 see much growth in the latter half of the 19th century. In the 20th century, development along the county's beaches began, and between 1955 and 1975, six communities on the county's barrier islands were incorporated.

Today, Brunswick County is the fourth-largest county in North Carolina by total area, with a population of 136,693 as of the 2020 census, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. The county seat is Bolivia, and the county's economy is largely based on tourism, with popular beach communities and filming locations for movies and TV shows.

The county's demographics

Brunswick County, North Carolina, has a population of 136,693 as of the 2020 census, a rapid increase from 73,143 in 2000. This makes it one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. The county seat, Bolivia, has a population of around 150 people, making it one of the least populous county seats in North Carolina. The county's total area is 1,049.54 square miles, with a population density of 180.1 people per square mile.

The racial makeup of the county as of the 2020 census is predominantly White (non-Hispanic), at 82.30%, with Black or African Americans (non-Hispanic) making up 14.38%, 0.68% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, and 1.32% from other races. About 2.68% of the population identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 1.01% of the population identify with two or more races.

The median age in the county is 56.3 years, significantly higher than the state and national averages. The per capita income is $45,545, and the median household income is $72,820. The median value of owner-occupied housing units is $339,400. The county has a poverty rate of 6.9%, which is lower than the state and national averages.

The county's economy is largely based on tourism, with popular beach communities like Bald Head Island and Oak Island. The food service and retail sectors have also seen significant growth in recent years. The presence of retirees in the county contributes substantially to the local economy through dividends, investments, and various benefits. Less than half of the county's residents are part of the workforce, and a significant number commute outside the county for work.

The county's politics

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is a rapidly growing county, with a population of 136,693 as of the 2020 census, up from 73,143 in 2000. It is the southernmost county in the state and part of the Wilmington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Bolivia, with a population of around 150 people, and the largest community is Leland. The county is named after the colonial port of Brunswick Town, itself named for George I, the King of England and Duke of Brunswick.

Brunswick County has a long and varied political history. It was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County and has frequently backed Republican candidates at the state and local levels. The county has only backed three losing Democratic presidential candidates since the Civil War: Grover Cleveland in 1888, Alton B. Parker in 1904, and Jimmy Carter in 1980. Carter was the last Democrat to win a majority of the county's votes, although Bill Clinton won a plurality in 1992.

In more recent times, the county's politics have been shaped by its growing economy and changing demographics. The economy of Brunswick County is largely built around tourism, with popular beach communities and filming locations for movies and TV shows. The county has also seen a significant influx of retirees, resulting in a high median age and a substantial amount of income generated through dividends, pensions, and Social Security payments. Less than half of the county's residents participate in the workforce, and many commute outside the county for work.

The county is home to the town of Calabash, known for its lightly-breaded fried seafood, and the historically Gullah community of Navassa. Local issues, such as water treatment projects, library services, and hurricane preparedness, also play a role in the county's politics.

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