St. James: Demographics & People
St. James's population stands at 7,072 people, in 3,533 households. Population grew 2.5% from 6,901 (2022) to 7,072 (2024). Median age 68.0 years. (11.6y older than Brunswick County; 28.5y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 2% of the population. Population is 90% White (non-Hispanic) and 6% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.14). 82% of households are family-led. County is gaining 20,963 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 31% adult obesity, 14% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household.
- 18% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 2.5% from 6,901 (2022) to 7,072 (2024) — about 4.1× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~7,248 (extrapolated at 1.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 7,488.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 136,693 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 2.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 6,901 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 7,072 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 7,072 people |
| Population Estimate | 7,488 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 68.0y is 29.1 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 2% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 68.0 years (vs North Carolina 39.5y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 2.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Population under 18 | 147 |
| Median age | 68.0 years (vs North Carolina 39.5y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 7,072 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.14 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 6,137 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 29 |
| Asian residents | 29 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 454 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 14.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 92.3% |
| Asian population | 0.3% |
| Black population | 0.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.2% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 90.4% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 618 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 5,980 |
| Share born in this state | 8.7% |
| Share born in another state | 91.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 84.6% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 5.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 269 |
| From Europe | 80 |
| From Africa | 66 |
Households & Family Composition
3,533 households. Averaging 2.0 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 82% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 2,889 families, 1% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 108 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 2,889 |
| Married couples with children | 23 |
| Average household size | 2.05 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 3.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 63 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 52 |
| Family households | 2,879 households |
| Households that are families | 81.5% |
| Total households | 3,533 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 10.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 20,963 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 10.4% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 164,532 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 143,569 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 20,963 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 367 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.6% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 7 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | NC-07 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37,019 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 19 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Brunswick |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 23.3% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 20.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 26.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37,019 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Brunswick County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 4,892 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37,019 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Brunswick County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 95.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 71.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 38.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 142,820 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 9.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 16 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 2.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 7,072, growing, retirement community, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 7,072 people |
| Town Summary · County | Brunswick County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade