Emerald Isle is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Crystal Coast and is located entirely on Bogue Banks. The population was 3,847 at the 2020 census. Today, the oceanfront is lined with large and small homes, duplexes, condominiums, and one oceanfront hotel. Emerald Isle has a family-oriented atmosphere. Recent beach renourishment projects in North Carolina, including Emerald Isle, have been both praised and questioned.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Emerald Isle ranks

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#3Fewest uninsured in NC #7Most walkable in NC #14Fewest smokers in NC All NC rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code28594

Area code252

Living in Emerald Isle

Housing in Emerald Isle

$765K▲ 4.9% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Emerald Isle home is worth about $765,000, up 4.9% in a year, 128% above the North Carolina typical home.

A buyer's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market84

Sale-to-list96.6%

Sold in May22

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Emerald Isle

Safety Grade C

Emerald Isle reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 67% report less. Within North Carolina, it does better than 68% of towns.

Violent crime per 1,000

Emerald Isle 2.7

North Carolina 3.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Emerald Isle 15.6

North Carolina 18.1

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Emerald Isle

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About one in 5 of Emerald Isle’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Jacksonville (7%), Morehead City (7%) and New Bern (3%). Half commute less than 23 miles.

Jacksonville

Morehead City

New Bern

Raleigh

20%Work in townlive and work in Emerald Isle 23 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,486Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Emerald Isle →

Health in Emerald Isle

Health Grade A

Healthier than 87% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with North Carolina

17better than NC·4worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 11 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 4▼ 7 close Habits 2▲ 2 close Care 6▲ 1 close Mind 4▲ 1 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

4.5%Fewer older adults who have lost all their teethNC 13.9% · better 6.2%Fewer adults facing food insecurityNC 15.2% · better 13.6%More adults who have had cancerNC 7.9% · worse

Care nearby

Carteret General HospitalMorehead City · 16.2 mi · ER

Goshen Medical Center - Morehead CityMorehead City · 16.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Emerald Isle · CMS · HRSAHealth in Emerald Isle →

Natural hazards in Emerald Isle

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 99% of U.S. communities.

🌀 Hurricanes🌊 Inland flooding

857Does Emerald Isle flood?paid flood claims since 1983 12Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Emerald Isle

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Emerald Isle →

Climate in Emerald Isle

Full climate →

Emerald Isle has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 88°, a January night drops to 36°, and snow is almost unheard of.

58° / 37°Winter

72° / 52°Spring

87° / 71°Summer

74° / 56°Fall

How much snow does Emerald Isle get?Almost none.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 16, with the last in spring around Mar 26.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.1° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Emerald Isle →