2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,867 people, 1,272 households, and 870 families residing in the town.

2000 census

As of the census^[3] of 2000 there were 1,393 people, 689 households, and 403 families residing in the town. The population density was 331.6 inhabitants per square mile (128.0/km²). There were 2,578 housing units at an average density of 613.7 per square mile (237.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.77% White, 0.43% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.01% of the population.

There were 689 households, out of which 12.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.51.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 12.6% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 39.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $40,521, and the median income for a family was $48,854. Males had a median income of $36,600 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,242. About 9.9% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.3% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Piers (from south to north)

• Surf City (last 150 feet, to include the Octagon destroyed by Hurricane Florence)
• Barnacle Bill's (destroyed by Hurricane Fran)
• Scotch Bonnet (destroyed by Hurricane Fran)
• Ocean City (destroyed by Hurricane Fran)