Carolina Shores doesn’t have a beach, a waterfront, or a downtown, and the people who live there will tell you that’s part of the appeal. This small town on the North Carolina–South Carolina line is a quiet, mostly residential community a few minutes from Sunset Beach and Calabash, and it’s having a busy fall. A new Publix opened at the Commons at Carolina Shores on Oct. 28, a Walmart Supercenter opens just down Ocean Highway West today, Nov. 4, and the former golf course in the middle of town is being planned as a new neighborhood. If you’re weighing a move to the southern tip of Brunswick County, here’s what Carolina Shores is like and what to know before you buy.
A Quick Snapshot of Carolina Shores
Carolina Shores began as a planned golf course community in the 1970s, inside what was then the Town of Calabash. After years of disagreement over sewer, garbage collection, and sign rules, residents voted to form their own town, and Carolina Shores was incorporated in 1998. The town’s 2025 CAMA Land Use Plan describes it as “primarily a residential community known for its quiet neighborhoods and convenient access to coastal amenities,” with no major industrial or commercial centers inside its limits.
The town has grown quickly. The U.S. Census Bureau counted 4,588 residents in 2020, up from about 3,000 in 2010, and its most recent estimate puts the population at 5,540 as of July 2025, roughly a 21% jump in five years. According to the town’s land use plan, Carolina Shores ranked as the 23rd fastest-growing municipality in North Carolina between 2020 and 2023. It’s also one of the region’s most retirement-oriented towns: Census figures show about half of residents are 65 or older, and nearly 95% of homes are owner-occupied.
What Daily Life Looks Like
Shopping and errands just got easier
For years, south Brunswick residents drove to Shallotte or across the state line for a big grocery run. That’s changing this fall. Publix opened its 46,791-square-foot store at 9770 Ocean Highway West on Oct. 28, according to Publix’s announcement, with a pharmacy and Instacart delivery. A week later, the new Walmart Supercenter at 9700 Ocean Highway West opens today with a pharmacy, vision center, and auto care center, and WECT reported (Oct. 27) that the store is expected to bring about 450 jobs. For a town where many residents are retirees, having groceries and prescriptions this close is a real quality-of-life change. We covered the bigger retail picture in our post on Calabash’s new Publix and Walmart.
Beaches, golf, and the Grand Strand
Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach are short drives away, and Calabash’s waterfront and its well-known seafood restaurants are practically next door. Because the town sits right at the state line, North Myrtle Beach and the rest of the Grand Strand are also close, which gives residents more choices for dining, shopping, and medical care than the town’s size suggests. Wilmington is roughly an hour’s drive north, so this works best for buyers who don’t need a daily commute there.
Housing in Carolina Shores
Most of the housing stock is single-family homes and townhomes, much of it built from the 1970s onward as the original golf community grew and nearby subdivisions were annexed. That means you’ll see a mix of established homes on mature lots and newer construction on the edges of town. A few things are worth paying attention to when you shop:
- Home age and updates. Older homes can be good value, but plan on a thorough inspection of the roof, HVAC, plumbing, and windows. Insurance carriers increasingly ask about roof age.
- HOA versus no HOA. Some neighborhoods have active associations with dues and architectural rules, and others don’t. Read the covenants before you fall in love with a house.
- Drainage and flood zones. Carolina Shores isn’t on the water, but low spots and ponds still matter. Check the FEMA flood map for the specific lot and ask the seller about any past water issues. Our flood zone buyer’s guide walks through how to read the maps.
- Golf course frontage. If you’re looking at a home near a course, understand who owns the course and what could happen to it. Our golf community buyer’s guide covers the questions to ask.
The Old Golf Course Is Becoming a Neighborhood
The biggest change in town is happening at the former Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club, which closed in November 2024. In October, the Board of Commissioners approved the master plan and first phase of The Forest at Carolina Shores, a 109-home community on one-acre lots, with Ryan Homes under contract to build. Some neighbors have raised questions about soil testing on the old course. We covered the details in our post on the golf course redevelopment. If you’re considering a home that backs up to the former course, that’s worth reading first, because views and surroundings there will change over the next few years.
Schools and Services
Carolina Shores is served by Brunswick County Schools. Attendance zones are set by address, so confirm the assigned schools for any home you’re considering rather than relying on a listing. Our guide to how Brunswick County school assignments work explains how to look them up. Water and sewer service and trash pickup can vary by neighborhood, so ask what serves a property before you make an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carolina Shores part of Calabash?
No. Carolina Shores split from Calabash and became its own town in 1998. The two towns’ limits interlock, so many addresses and businesses near the line use a Calabash mailing address.
Is Carolina Shores on the beach?
No. Despite the name, the town isn’t on the ocean or a large body of water. Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach are a short drive away.
How fast is Carolina Shores growing?
Quickly for a small town. Census estimates show the population grew about 21% between 2020 and July 2025, to roughly 5,540 residents.
What’s happening with the old Carolina Shores golf course?
The town approved the first phase of The Forest at Carolina Shores in October 2026, a planned 109-home community on one-acre lots on the former course.
Thinking About a Move to Carolina Shores?
Every neighborhood in this corner of Brunswick County has its own feel, rules, and price points, and the new shopping and the golf course redevelopment are changing the picture fast. If you’d like help comparing homes in Carolina Shores, Calabash, and Sunset Beach, contact Aspyre Collective and we’ll walk you through the options.
