Emerald Isle, NC—28594
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Emerald Isle, NC
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Emerald Isle, NC is $736,000, with a year-over-year change of -0.9%. This indicates that home prices in Emerald Isle, NC are flat. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 3.7%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $736,000 | -0.9% |
| Single Family | $850,000 | -0.1% |
| Condos | $513,000 | -1.5% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $290,000 | -4.0% |
2 Bed | $531,000 | -2.0% |
3 Bed | $697,000 | -0.9% |
4 Bed | $1,035,000 | 1.0% |
| 5 Bed | $1,611,000 | 1.1% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Emerald Isle, NC
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Emerald Isle, NC is $2,470, with a year-over-year rent change of -2.0%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Emerald Isle, NC is 1-bedrooms: $1,500, 2-bedrooms: $3,250, 3-bedrooms: $2,610, 4-bedrooms: $3,200. The most common rental property sizes in Emerald Isle, NC are 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom, accounting for 49.7% and 28.2% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,530 | $2,470 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 1 Bed Rent | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $3,250 | $3,250 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $2,600 | $2,610 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $3,200 | $3,200 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Emerald Isle, NC
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Emerald Isle, NC is 94. This is a increase of 24.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 19.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $893,000 | 13.0% |
Listing Count | 118 | 27.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.8% | 27.0% |
Days on Market | 94 | 24.0% |
Demographics — Emerald Isle, NC
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Emerald Isle, NC has a population of 3,920, which has increased by 5.9% over the past 5 years. Emerald Isle, NC is a less popular place for families, as children make up 14.8% of the population. The area has a highly educated workforce, with 52.0% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are some residents working remotely, with 22.8% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 3,920 | 5.9% |
% Under 18 | 14.8% | -3.3% |
% Seniors | 32.8% | 6.1% |
% WFH | 22.8% | 48.1% |
% w/ College Degree | 52.0% | 6.1% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Emerald Isle, NC is a predominantly white area, with 93.2% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 0.9% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Emerald Isle, NC is black, making up 0.3% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 1.6% of the population in Emerald Isle, NC, and this percentage has increased by 14.3% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 93.2% | -0.9% |
% Black | 0.3% | -25.0% |
% Hispanic | 0.2% | -90.5% |
% Asian | 0.0% | N/A |
% Foreign Born | 1.6% | 14.3% |
Mortgage and Risk — Emerald Isle, NC
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 257 mortgage originations in Emerald Isle, NC, of which 95.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 54.0%, with 6.0% above 90% LTV (normal). This implies small mortgage risk in Emerald Isle, NC. Investor activity is low, as 8.0% of loans were by investors. 8.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 257 |
% Conventional Loans | 95.0% |
% Government Loans | 5.0% |
% Investor Loans | 8.0% |
% Second Loans | 46.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 8.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Emerald Isle, NC
Emerald Isle, NC lacks sufficient Section 8 program data for analysis.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | N/A |
Total Units Section 8 | N/A |
% Rentals under Section 8 | N/A |
% Occupied Section 8 | N/A |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | -$230 | $1,500 | $1,270 |
| 2 Bedroom | -$1,590 | $3,250 | $1,660 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$440 | $2,600 | $2,160 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$470 | $3,200 | $2,730 |
Affordability — Emerald Isle, NC
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 7.6 |
| Median Home Price | $736,000 |
| Median Household Income | $89,400 |