Ask a Brunswick County beach buyer where they’re looking and you’ll usually hear three names: Oak Island, Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach. All three sit on barrier islands with east-west shorelines along the Atlantic, and all are part of the Wilmington metro area. They feel quite different to live in or own, though. This guide compares them side by side so you can narrow your search before you start touring.
The Quick Comparison
The figures below come from U.S. Census Bureau data as summarized in each town’s public profile.
- Oak Island: 8,396 permanent residents at the 2020 census, with a summer population near 50,000. The town covers 19.9 square miles, including mainland areas north of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).
- Holden Beach: 921 residents at the 2020 census. The town covers 3.4 square miles, centered on an 8-mile barrier island between Lockwood Folly Inlet and Shallotte Inlet.
- Ocean Isle Beach: 867 residents at the 2020 census. The town covers 4.5 square miles, spanning an island about 5 miles long from Tubbs Inlet to Shallotte Inlet, plus a mainland section along NC 904.
The short version: Oak Island is the largest of the three and the most like a year-round town. Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach are much smaller resort communities where most homes are second homes or rentals.
Oak Island: The Most “Year-Round” of the Three
Oak Island was formed in 1999 when the towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach consolidated. It shares its island with Caswell Beach. Two high-rise bridges cross the ICW to the island, the Barbee Bridge (opened 1975) and the Swain’s Cut Bridge (opened 2010). Having two crossings helps with daily traffic and with evacuations.
Because the town reaches onto the mainland, it includes the Cape Fear Regional Jetport area, South Harbour Village with a public nine-hole course and marina, and shopping north of NC 211. Oak Island is also the closest of the three to Southport.
Who it fits: Full-time residents, remote workers and families who want a beach town with year-round services. It also suits investors who want a wide range of housing types. For more detail, see our guide to living on Oak Island year-round and our Oak Island vacation rental investor guide.
Holden Beach: Quiet, Family-Oriented and Island-Focused
Holden Beach was incorporated in 1969. A single road, NC 130, crosses the ICW to the island over the high-rise bridge the town dedicated in 1986. From the bridge, Shallotte is about 10 miles away for everyday shopping. Its roots go back to the Holden family, whose 1924 “Holden Beach Resort” plat was the first beach subdivision in Brunswick County.
The island is mostly residential, with few commercial uses. Canal-front homes are a major part of the market. Those homes raise their own questions about bulkheads, docks and dredging, which we cover in our Holden Beach canal home buyer checks.
Who it fits: Buyers who want a low-key family beach and are comfortable driving to the mainland for errands, plus rental investors. Read our Holden Beach town guide and our Holden Beach investor guide.
Ocean Isle Beach: Compact, Polished and Close to the State Line
Ocean Isle Beach was incorporated in 1959 and calls itself the “Gem of the Brunswick Islands.” It sits between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, which suits buyers who split time between North and South Carolina. Beach access paths are spaced about every 500 feet along the shoreline. It also has a public boat launch with direct ICW access. In 2008, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association named Ocean Isle Beach the winner of its Best Restored Beach Award.
The town is small, and the American Community Survey shows an older full-time population, with a median age of 67.9 for 2019–2023. Many buyers here are second-home owners and retirees.
Who it fits: Second-home buyers, retirees, and people who want quick access to the Myrtle Beach area. See our Ocean Isle Beach second-home guide and our year-round living guide.
What to Check No Matter Which Beach You Choose
Flood zone, elevation and insurance
Every home on these islands carries flood risk. Check the flood zone and the home’s elevation, and get flood and wind insurance quotes early in your due diligence. Our flood zone guide explains the basics.
Inlets and erosion
Homes near inlets can face extra rules and shoreline change. If you’re looking near Shallotte Inlet or Lockwood Folly Inlet, review our post on inlet hazard area changes.
Pilings and structure
Most island homes are elevated. A structural look at the pilings and connections is worth the cost. See our elevated beach home inspection checklist.
Rental rules and town projects
If you plan to rent the home out, review each town’s current rules, fees and capital projects. Piers, parking and beach projects change often, so ask for the latest before you commit.
FAQ: Oak Island vs. Holden Beach vs. Ocean Isle Beach
Which of the three has the most full-time residents?
Oak Island, by a wide margin. It had 8,396 residents at the 2020 census, compared with 921 at Holden Beach and 867 at Ocean Isle Beach.
How many bridges serve each island?
Oak Island has two high-rise bridges over the ICW. Holden Beach is reached by one road, NC 130. Ocean Isle Beach connects to the mainland along the NC 904 corridor.
Which is best for a vacation rental?
It depends on your budget, the property type and your goals. All three have active rental markets. Compare actual rental history on the specific homes you’re considering before deciding.
Which is closest to Myrtle Beach?
Ocean Isle Beach, which sits between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach near the southern end of the North Carolina coast.
Tour All Three With a Local Team
The best way to choose is to spend a day on each island, ideally once in season and once off-season. Contact Aspyre Collective and we’ll help you compare homes, neighborhoods and costs across Oak Island, Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach.
