St. James: Economy & Jobs
$116,383 is the median household income in St. James (1.5× higher than Brunswick County median $77,024; 1.6× higher than North Carolina median $74,321), with homes at a median value of $636,800. The surrounding county supports 41,268 jobs (avg $51,701).
- $84,518 avg taxable income per return — lower than the median household income.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $116,383 — above the North Carolina median ($74,321). Poverty rate 4.3% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 5.5× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | expensive |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 23.3% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 4.3% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 2.5% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $81,140 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $6,857,792 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $84,518 |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $129,528 |
| Median Household Income | $116,383 (vs North Carolina $74,321) |
| Poverty Rate | 4.3% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | affluent |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $116,383 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.4% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 40% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 39.7% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 41,268 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $2,133,594,058 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $51,701 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 4,795,040 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.4% (vs North Carolina 5.0%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 41 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 6,017 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 146.80 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Sod, Crop Totals, Animal Totals, Hogs, Grain |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 2,964 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 31,330 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 1,339,597 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 23 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 47 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 41 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 9 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Bookstores | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 143 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 113 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 11 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 39 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (10)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (3)
| Nearest Snap · Name | 365 Fast Mart #141 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 1.1 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | NORTH BRUNSWICK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $1,908,738,195 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 13,963.69 |
| Federal Spending · Population | 136,693 people |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 39.4% |
|---|---|
| Pct Walked | 39.7% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 68.0 years (vs North Carolina 39.5y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 74.4% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 3 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12