Oak Island, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oak Island, North Carolina
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Oak Island Beach
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| Motto(s):
"A Place to Coast"
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 Oak Island, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
Oak Island, North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | North Carolina | |
| County | Brunswick | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 20.63 sq mi (53.43 km2) | |
| • Land | 19.27 sq mi (49.91 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.36 sq mi (3.52 km2) | |
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,396 | |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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9,322 | |
| • Density | 435.66/sq mi (168.21/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
28465
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| Area codes | 910, 472 | |
| FIPS code | 37-48345 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2407020 | |
Oak Island is a fun seaside town in the southeastern part of North Carolina, United States. It's mostly located on Oak Island, which it shares with Caswell Beach. The town was created in 1999 when two smaller towns joined together.
Oak Island's main business is tourism, meaning many people visit for vacations. In 2020, about 8,396 people lived there all the time. But in the summer, the population can grow to nearly 50,000! It's part of the larger Wilmington area.
Contents
Discovering Oak Island's Past
The island where much of Oak Island sits has been lived on since the early 1800s. Fort Caswell was built on its east end in 1838. The island grew slowly at first.
By the late 1930s, people from nearby Southport started visiting. They enjoyed activities like fox hunting near the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).
Rebuilding After Hurricane Hazel
In 1954, a very strong storm called Hurricane Hazel hit the island. Only five buildings were left standing on the west side. But the island quickly recovered!
After the hurricane, two towns, Long Beach and Yaupon Beach, were officially formed. As more people moved in, there was a big need for a better way to cross the ICW to get to the island.
Bridges Connecting the Island
When the ICW was finished in the late 1930s, a swing bridge helped people cross. But in 1971, a barge hit and destroyed it. A new, taller bridge, the Barbee Bridge, was built quickly and opened in 1975.
Later, in 2010, a second tall bridge called the Swain's Cut Bridge was built over the ICW. This made it even easier to get to the island.
Forming the Town of Oak Island
In 1999, the towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach decided to combine and form the new Town of Oak Island. Caswell Beach thought about joining too, but decided to stay a separate town.
After Oak Island was formed, it started to include or gain control over land on the mainland to its north. This helped the town grow even more.
Exploring Oak Island's Location
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Oak Island is in the southeastern part of Brunswick County. The town covers about 51.6 square kilometers (about 20 square miles). Most of this area is land (48.0 sq km or 18.5 sq mi), and a smaller part is water (3.6 sq km or 1.4 sq mi).
To the south, Oak Island borders the huge Atlantic Ocean. To the east, it's next to Caswell Beach. Across the ICW to the north, you'll find parts of St. James. To the west, it's separated from Holden Beach by the Lockwood Folly Inlet.
Mainland Additions to the Town
Since 1999, Oak Island has added several areas on the mainland. These include:
- Land along Long Beach Road (NC 133), which has the Cape Fear Regional Jetport (a small airport) and South Harbour Village. South Harbour Village has a nine-hole golf course and a marina for boats.
- Areas west of Middleton Boulevard (NC 906) that are being developed.
- Plots of land north of Southport-Supply Road (NC 211), including the Midway Commons Shopping Center.
Oak Island's Weather
Summers in Oak Island are hot and humid. The average temperature is around 85°F (29°C). However, the beach often feels cooler because of ocean breezes. Ocean water temperatures can range from the 50s°F (10-15°C) in winter to the mid-80s°F (29-30°C) in summer.
Winters are mild, with average temperatures in the 50s°F (10-15°C), though there can be short cold spells. It rains throughout the year, with about 57 inches (145 cm) of rain annually. About 45% of this rain falls between June and September.
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
Tropical storms and hurricanes are a concern for Oak Island. Hurricane Hazel was the most damaging in the past. Between 1996 and 1999, four major hurricanes (Bertha, Fran, Bonnie, and Floyd) hit the area. Hurricane Floyd had a big impact on the town.
More recently, in October 2016, the eye of Hurricane Matthew passed almost directly over Oak Island. It caused a lot of damage to the sand dunes. In September 2018, Hurricane Florence brought severe flooding and strong winds. It also washed away a lot of beach sand.
In August 2020, Hurricane Isaias hit Oak Island as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm surge, which is when the ocean water rises very high, was about 9 feet (2.7 meters). This damaged the fishing pier, many businesses, and hundreds of homes. Sand from the dunes was pushed far inland. Many cars were damaged and seen floating. Power was turned off for safety. The storm also affected tourism, which is important for the town.
Fun Things to Do in Oak Island
Oak Island is mainly a family-friendly beach town. But it also offers many other fun activities!
The Oak Island Golf Club has a course and practice areas open to everyone. Its members can also use an outdoor swimming pool in the summer. Two public fishing piers stretch out into the Atlantic Ocean, perfect for fishing. You'll also see many motorboats and sailboats docked along the ICW, Davis Canal, and Montgomery Slough.
South Harbour Village has a nine-hole public golf course and a marina. This marina can hold boats along 1,000 feet (305 meters) of dock space. All these waterways are also popular for kayaking.
The Oak Island Recreation Center, located in the middle of the island, has both indoor and outdoor exercise areas. You can rent sports equipment and special beach wheelchairs with big tires there.
Exciting Sporting Events
Popular sporting events include the "Run Oak Island" Marathon in February. This event also has a half-marathon, a 5K run, and a one-mile run. In April, the Southport/Oak Island Chamber of Commerce hosts the Oak Island Lighthouse Run. This race includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a fun one-mile run.
Other Fun Activities
The town celebrates the Fourth of July with an amazing fireworks display over the ocean. There's also a parade down Oak Island Drive just before Christmas. The Oak Island Library hosts many events, like "Socrates Cafe" and "Meet the Author" programs.
Major Roads in Oak Island
NC 133
NC 906
NC 211
Oak Island's Population
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 6,571 | — | |
| 2010 | 6,783 | 3.2% | |
| 2020 | 8,396 | 23.8% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 9,322 | 37.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 7,782 | 92.69% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 68 | 0.81% |
| Native American | 34 | 0.4% |
| Asian | 43 | 0.51% |
| Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.04% |
| Other/Mixed | 320 | 3.81% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 146 | 1.74% |
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 8,396 people living in Oak Island. These people lived in 3,662 households, which included 2,395 families.
Population in 2017
In 2017, the Census Bureau estimated that 7,789 people lived in the town. This was about a 14% increase from 2010. Most of the population (97%) was White. About 2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
There were 3,605 households, with an average of 2.05 people per household. The estimated average household income in 2017 was $57,670. About 8.6% of the population lived below the poverty line.
The chart below shows the estimated population by age in 2017:
| Age Group | Percent of Population By Age |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 12.5% |
| 18 to 65 | 56.8% |
| Over 65 | 30.7% |
In 2017, about 52.3% of the population were women, and 47.7% were men.
