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Most diverse beach towns in north carolina
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If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. Manage Settings Continue with Recommended Cookies. While we still haven’t dealt with racism as a society, the election of Donald Trump to the presidency has only flamed the tensions that have been mounting for years.
Part of the reason for that tension? The country as a whole continues to self segregate across race, income, and party lines. But it’s not all bad on the race relations front. There are parts of North Carolina where there’s a high level of diversity — where people of all walks of life come together. We decided to shine a light on those places today. Using a standard measure of diversity, we ranked all cities in North Carolina from most to least diverse. So what city is the most diverse in North Carolina?
According to the most Census data, Spring Lake took the number one over all spot for diversity in North Carolina. Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. To see where North Carolina ranked as a state, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in Ameria. Next 10 Cities. We still believe in the accuracy of data — especially from the census.
So that’s where we went to get the breakdown of race across North Carolina. Here are the category names as defined by the Census:. We limited our analysis to non-CDPs with a population greater than 5, people. That left us with cities. We then calculated the HHI for each city by finding the racial breakdown of a city in percent terms, squaring them, and then adding the squares together. This left us with scores ranging from 2, Spring Lake to 9, Oak Island.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the HHI with a lower score being more diverse than a high score. Spring Lake took the distinction of being the most diverse, while Oak Island was the least diverse city. You can download the data here. Read on for more information on how the cities in North Carolina ranked for diversity or, for a more general take on diversity in america, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America. If you’re looking for a scientific breakdown of diversity across North Carolina, this is an accurate list.
Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move. If you’ve been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you’ve probably stumbled upon his writing already. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.
Vendor List Privacy Policy. Toggle navigation Home Snacks. Article continues below. Spring Lake. Overall SnackAbility 7. Best States To Live In. Editor’s Note: We updated this article for This is our ninth time ranking the most diverse places in North Carolina. About Chris Kolmar Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now.
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13 Breathtaking North Carolina Beaches You Need to Visit.
She moved to Birmingham, Alabama, in , where she spent many hours exploring and writing about the Southern travel and culture.
Tracey holds a B. Because North Carolina has 3, miles of coastline including miles of barrier beaches alone , there are many wonderful beach towns and harbors that are just a short boat ride away from the sand.
Some of these towns are quiet getaways focused on surf and sand, while others offer shopping and strolling along old-timey boardwalks and adventures on the water. They have plenty of sites to explore, whether you’re a pirate fanatic, intrigued by early colonial history, excited by sea turtles, or anxious to see herds of wild horses.
No matter which of our favorites you choose, you’ll feel restored by an escape to small-town life at the beach. This westernmost community on Bogue Banks is a treasured vacation getaway for families, with its 12 miles of clean shores, clear waters, and old-fashioned neighborhoods and vibe.
Driving on the beach is allowed here with a permit , and there is plenty of public water access and parks. You’ll find both hotels and vacation rentals in which to enjoy a classic beach vacation.
Bright white cottages with red roofs, stately sea captains’ homes, two lighthouses, local shops, and water in seemingly every direction what with the confluence of the river and the Intracoastal Waterway create vistas at every bend in the road. Southport has three museums, but the town itself is a vintage postcard sent from a halcyon past.
Ferry service to Fort Fisher provides a fun all-in-one outing to the Fort Fisher historic site, aquarium, and beach. Not to be confused with the South Carolina town of the same name and pronounced differently , this small and charming harbor town at the southern end of the Outer Banks has a lively downtown marina, is dotted with historic buildings dating back to the s, is home to a wonderful North Carolina Maritime Museum, and is a stone’s throw from the natural riches of the Rachel Carson Reserve —look for wild horses and dolphins across the water while you stroll on boardwalks downtown.
Rent kayaks to explore the islands or take a ferry for prime shelling on Shackleford Banks. Despite lying only two miles off the North Carolina coast and due south of Wilmington, this three-by-one-mile barrier island feels like a secret hideout from a Robert Louis Stevenson story. With nearly 85 percent of its total area a preserved landscape of salt marshes, tidal creeks, and scrubby, subtropical forest, plus 14 miles of pale sands, the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina , locally owned shops, and a community of beautiful beach houses, this is most certainly a Treasure Isle.
Only golf carts and bicycles can travel the roads, making sure you catch everything while you’re in paradise. This family-friendly island near Wilmington has 10 miles of south-facing beaches, not to mention two fishing piers and nostalgic pleasures that include ice cream and miniature golf. There’s plenty to do, with a lighthouse and nature center to visit and prime paddling on the Intracoastal side of the island.
Oak Island is also a dog lover’s dream: Four legged friends are allowed on the beaches year-round, and they can be off the leash from October March A cult favorite, this Outer Banks island is accessible only by boat or ferry from Hatteras and Cedar islands and has a relaxed romance imbued with salt air. This is an escape complete with pirate lore; long stretches of pristine sands all protected by the National Park Service; a fishing village with summer pleasures like ice cream, seafood, and boat charters; and its own bright white, picturesque lighthouse.
Most families rent a vacation home for a week or more, meandering around town, fishing, swimming, and relaxing around the bonfire. With history running through its veins including pre-Civil War Fort Macon , the oldest town on Bogue Banks—with its back to Bogue Sound and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the south—is also home to the nostalgic and 1,foot-long Oceanana Fishing Pier , plus a steady swell for surfing.
This barrier island town has amenities to please the entire family, like a town park with splash pad, skatepark, and mini-golf, and the nearby aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. At the southern end of the coast and a quick hop from buzzy Wilmington, this laid-back beach town on a 4-mile-long barrier island has charm in spades, from a bird nesting sanctuary at the south end to its iconic Johnnie Mercers Pier.
Mix in a surf vibe on the Atlantic, a boating and SUP-centric world on Banks Channel, miles of broad beaches and a deep bench of old-fashioned Carolina beach cottages for sale and rent, and you’ve got a sense of the magic that makes Wrightsville Beach all-out fun. Yes, named with a smile for the abundance of waterfowl that traditionally lured hunters to this northern end of the Outer Banks, this resort town has low-key sophistication that’s utterly winning, including a vibrant small community of independent shops and restaurants and a respected jazz festival.
Duck has devoted extensive energy and funds to the nourishment of its beaches named among the Best Restored Beaches for , but it’s important to note that access is for residents and vacation property renters only. The first stop on the Outer Banks for many, Nags Head has beautiful beaches with free parking, an iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus, and a funky arts and culture scene.
It’s also home to the Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which is the East Coast’s tallest natural dune system and an incredible place to try hang gliding. Whatever you’re seeking, this lively beach community has plenty of watersports, family activities, and beachside events in the summer. It’s not just all about the fun to be had driving on the broad sands of this southern coast getaway at the northern end of Pleasure Island; or hitting its vintage boardwalk which features old-school amusement rides in summer , lively beach bars, and superb seafood spots.
This classic summer vacation spot is also home to natural gifts, including Carolina Beach State Park , with some of the area’s finest fishing and the Flytrap Trail, named for the carnivorous Venus Flytrap plants along its path.
With no high rises and an emphasis on conservation, this small town at the southern end of the mile-long barrier island that shares its name is a magnet for families seeking old-fashioned escape and beach life.
Topsail Island was not even accessible by car until WWII; the Missiles and More Museum shares the island’s history as the former home of a secret missile operation. Now this “Mayberry by the Sea” is an idyllic spot to meander, eat out at area restaurants, and soak up the sun—everyone’s welcome to enjoy beaches on both the Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway sides, including dogs, who can hit the beach with their masters year-round but must stay on a leash from May September This riverfront port is technically a city, but there are so many things to love about visiting and enjoying Wilmington, it’s impossible to leave it off the list.
With its romantic historic mansions; a thriving downtown with great shops, restaurants, and bars; a picturesque Riverwalk on the Cape Fear River; and a youthful vibe thanks to the local University of North Carolina campus, this magnet is also a quick drive to the sands of Wrightsville and Carolina beaches. What’s not to love about Oriental , a town with more than three times as many boats as year-round inhabitants?
That connection to water—fishing, pleasure boating, paddling, and sailing Oriental is known as the sailing capital of North Carolina —defines the maritime charm of this village-like spot on the broad Neuse River as it opens into Pamlico Sound.
Those who need a beach in their life will find tiny Town Beach a quick fix, and the broad strands of Atlantic Beach aren’t far away.
Largely a residential isle, Holden Beach is all about simple pleasures, from biking and kayaking along with playing on the beach during the day, to ghost crabbing at night. Calabash-style seafood is lightly breaded right off the boat, and there are plenty of restaurants featuring the local fare.
Stroll along the picturesque docks on the Calabash River or join a deep-sea fishing tour to catch your own dinner. Just north of Beaufort, this quiet fishing community known for retaining the Down East dialect has also become a popular spot for retirees. Harkers island is served by a post office, a few restaurants, and a grocery store, but is primarily known for slowing life down to a pace that’s nice and easy. Stay in a home on the sound side for a great view of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse.
This quaint, historic town is full of local shops and restaurants where you can happily while away the day. The Olde Town Square is the social center of downtown, drawing crowds for festivals and other family-friendly events.
Initially named for a politician by the name of Swann, the town has since enthusiastically adopted the swan as its mascot, and you’ll see the graceful bird displayed on signs and in private gardens. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies.
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Tracey Minkin. Southern Living’s editorial guidelines. Share Tweet Pin Email. Trending Videos. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Newsletter Sign Up.
16 Best Beaches in North Carolina, From Sunset Beach to Duck | Travel + Leisure – Mobile Menu
Most Diverse Suburbs in North Carolina · High Point · High Point · Monroe · Monroe · Winston-Salem · Winston-Salem · Salem Academy · Sponsored. The Best Beach Towns in North Carolina · Emerald Isle · Southport · Beaufort · Bald Head Island · Oak Island · Ocracoke · Atlantic Beach · Wrightsville.
