Surf City, NC Demographics

A map of Surf City's Population by Race

Surf City, North Carolina has an estimated population of 4,396, a large increase from the 3,867 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.9% White, 5.6% Hispanic, 4.3% Black, 2.7% Multiracial, 0.5% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Surf City, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Surf City has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Surf City, that probability was 24.9% in 2020 and 24.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Surf City is ranked the 196th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Surf City was ranked the 207th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Surf City's White Population

3,819 residents of Surf City, or 86.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Surf City is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Surf City ranks 162nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Surf City's White population has grown by an estimated 14.4%. White residents' share of Surf City's population has increased from 86.3% to 86.9%.

Surf City is more White than neighboring Hampstead (79.6% White), and Sneads Ferry (74.8% White). Surf City is less White than neighboring Holly Ridge (87.1% White), Topsail Beach (100% White), and North Topsail Beach (88.1% White).

Surf City's Black Population

187 residents of Surf City, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Surf City is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Surf City ranks 675th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Surf City's Black population has grown by an estimated 345.2%. Black residents' share of Surf City's population has increased from 1.1% to 4.3%.

Surf City is more Black than neighboring Holly Ridge (1.9% Black), Topsail Beach (0% Black), North Topsail Beach (1.9% Black), and Hampstead (2.2% Black). Surf City is less Black than neighboring Sneads Ferry (6.4% Black).

Surf City's Asian Population

22 residents of Surf City, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Surf City is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Surf City ranks 215th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Surf City's Asian population has declined by an estimated 52.2%. Asian residents' share of Surf City's population has decreased from 1.2% to 0.5%.

Surf City is more Asian than neighboring Topsail Beach (0% Asian), and North Topsail Beach (0% Asian). Surf City is less Asian than neighboring Holly Ridge (1.5% Asian), Hampstead (0.7% Asian), and Sneads Ferry (2.6% Asian).

Surf City's Hispanic Population

246 residents of Surf City, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Surf City is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Surf City ranks 418th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Surf City's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 16.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Surf City's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.6%.

Surf City is more Hispanic than neighboring Holly Ridge (4.8% Hispanic), Topsail Beach (0% Hispanic), North Topsail Beach (4.5% Hispanic), and Sneads Ferry (3.7% Hispanic). Surf City is less Hispanic than neighboring Hampstead (11.5% Hispanic).

Surf City's Native American/Other Population

5 residents of Surf City, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Surf City is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Surf City ranks 561st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Surf City's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 75.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Surf City's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Surf City is more Native American/Other than neighboring Holly Ridge (0% Native American/Other), Topsail Beach (0% Native American/Other), and Sneads Ferry (0% Native American/Other). Surf City is less Native American/Other than neighboring North Topsail Beach (1% Native American/Other).

Surf City's Multiracial Population

117 residents of Surf City, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Surf City is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Surf City ranks 100th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Surf City's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 44.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Surf City's population has decreased from 5.5% to 2.7%.

Surf City is more Multiracial than neighboring Topsail Beach (0% Multiracial). Surf City is less Multiracial than neighboring Holly Ridge (4.8% Multiracial), North Topsail Beach (4.5% Multiracial), Hampstead (5.9% Multiracial), and Sneads Ferry (12.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.