Sunset Beach, North Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Sunset Beach, North Carolina
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
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image_

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Sunset Beach, North Carolina


mapsize1 =
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Brunswick
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 14.9
area_land_km2 = 13.1
area_water_km2 = 1.8
area_total_sq_mi = 5.8
area_land_sq_mi = 5.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.7

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1824
population_density_km2 = 139.4
population_density_sq_mi = 360.9

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 0
elevation_ft = 0
latd = 33 |latm = 53 |lats = 7 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 30 |longs = 27 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 28468
area_code = 910
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 37-65900GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1004755GR|3
website = [http://www.sunsetbeachnc.gov/ www.sunsetbeachnc.gov]
footnotes = . The population was 1,824 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Sunset Beach is located at coor dms|33|53|7|N|78|30|27|W|city (33.885348, -78.507528).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.8 square miles (14.9 km²).5.1 square miles (13.1 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (12.31%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,824 people, 909 households, and 678 families residing in the town. The population density was 360.9 people per square mile (139.5/km²). There were 2,983 housing units at an average density of 590.3/sq mi (228.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.37% White, 0.49% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population.

There were 909 households out of which 7.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.28.

In the town the population was spread out with 6.9% under the age of 18, 2.7% from 18 to 24, 12.1% from 25 to 44, 43.6% from 45 to 64, and 34.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 60 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,356, and the median income for a family was $57,019. Males had a median income of $40,795 versus $27,708 for females. The per capita income for the town was $36,181. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Sunset Beach Bridge

Since most of Sunset Beach and the adjoining Bird Island coastal reserve encompass a barrier island, the only way to get there from the mainland is by crossing a pontoon bridge ("swing bridge") stradling the Intracoastal Waterway and adjacent marshland. It is a wooden structure than can only hold one lane of traffic at any given time, and is the only one of its kind still in use along the East Coast. While this does cause headaches for those trying to get on or off the island, many locals say the bridge does give the town a more relaxed feel. Historically, this has been in stark contrast to the rapid growth affecting other beach communities, including the Grand Strand. However, as of February 2008, the North Carolina Department of Transportation started construction to replace the old bridge with a modern, 65' high arc bridge (non-draw, non-swing) that will eliminate the need for a bridge keeper, and will provide for a continual flow of vehicle traffic on and off the island, and water traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway. [http://www.sunsetbeachnc.gov/vertical/Sites/{F34277FF-C30A-451F-9BE1-D84A8D87A7B2}/uploads/{C7670507-D331-4ED4-A641-2505B37F52A6}.DOC] Check out the Free photo updates at: web.mac.com/johncclegg

Housing in Sunset Beach

The Town consists of both mainland neighborhoods and a barrier island of approximately 1200 homes. Two of the larger mainland neighborhoods in the Town are golf course developments at [http://www.seatrail.com/ Sea Trail Resort] and [http://www.sandpiperbaygolf.com/htmlpages/info.html Sandpiper Bay] . The island is primarily home to vacation rental cottages, although there are close to 100 fulltime residents as well. [http://www.sunsetrealty.com]

References

External links

* [http://www.sunsetbeachnc.gov/ Town website]
* [http://www.sunsetnc.com/ Town resource website]
* [http://www.gribblenation.com/ncpics/bridges/sunset.html Pictures of Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge]
* [http://web.mac.com/johncclegg/Site/Bridge_Construction_Photo_Update.html Bridge Construction Photo Update]