Currituck County

Here are concise, recent demographics for Currituck County, North Carolina.

Population size

• ~31,000 residents (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 Population Estimates; 2020 Census count ~28,100)

Age (ACS 2018–2022, 5-year)

• Median age: ~45 years
• Under 18: ~23%
• 65 and over: ~18%

Gender (ACS 2018–2022)

• Female: ~50%
• Male: ~50%

Racial/ethnic composition (ACS 2018–2022; share of total)

• White, non-Hispanic: ~86%
• Black or African American, non-Hispanic: ~5%
• Hispanic/Latino (any race): ~5%
• Two or more races, non-Hispanic: ~3%
• Asian, non-Hispanic: <1%
• American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: <1%

Household data (ACS 2018–2022)

• Households: ~11,100
• Average household size: ~2.7
• Family households: ~78% (married-couple families ~63%)
• Median household income: ~$80k–$85k
• Poverty rate: ~7%
• Homeownership rate: ~80%–85%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 Population Estimates Program (PEP); American Community Survey 2018–2022 5-year estimates. Figures rounded for brevity.

Currituck County, NC — estimated email usage (2025)

• Estimated email users: 22,000–26,000 residents.
  • Basis: ~30–32k population; 85–95% of ages 13+ use email; limited uptake among children.
• Age distribution of email users (approx.):
  • 13–24: 12–18%
  • 25–44: 25–32%
  • 45–64: 30–36%
  • 65+: 18–25% (slightly lower usage than younger adults, but still high)
• Gender split among users: roughly 50% female, 50% male (usage rates are similar by gender).

Digital access and trends

• Home internet: roughly 70–80% of households have fixed broadband; 10–20% are smartphone‑only users. Adoption and speeds are higher along the US‑158/NC‑168 corridor (Moyock–Barco–Grandy–Point Harbor) and more limited in outlying areas (e.g., Knotts Island, northern Corolla/4WD beaches).
• Infrastructure trend: expanding fiber builds since 2022 via state/federal grants; fixed‑wireless and satellite fill rural gaps. Public Wi‑Fi available at libraries and county facilities.
• Device mix: smartphone ownership >85% of adults; PCs/tablets common among workers and students, supporting heavy email use for work, schools, and services.
• Local density/connectivity facts: population ~30–32k over a largely rural county with many water barriers (Currituck Sound), yielding roughly 100–120 residents per square mile of land and higher last‑mile costs; seasonal tourism increases network load.

Below is a concise, county-focused snapshot that highlights what’s different about Currituck County relative to North Carolina overall. Figures are modeled estimates using recent ACS/Pew/FCC baselines and regional carrier coverage patterns; use them as planning ranges and validate with local datasets (NC Broadband Office, FCC maps, carrier engineering teams).

Headline ways Currituck differs from NC overall

• Bigger seasonal swings: Summer tourism on the Currituck Banks (Corolla/Carova) drives mobile traffic that can reach several times the resident baseline on peak weeks—much more pronounced than the state average.
• Cross‑border commuting: A large share of daily movement is to/from Hampton Roads, VA. Daytime device presence and carrier load often shift north of the state line—unusual versus most NC counties.
• Bimodal infrastructure: Mainland corridors (US‑158/NC‑168) perform like exurban NC with strong 4G/5G, while the northern Outer Banks and 4x4 beach have sparser sites, harsher RF conditions, and weather exposure—creating wider performance variance than typical.
• Demographics that push in opposite directions: Older median age (pulls smartphone adoption slightly down) but higher household incomes and many multi‑line families/commuters (push device quality and 5G adoption up). Net effect: overall usage near state average but with higher peak loads and more high‑end devices.

User estimates (2025 planning ranges)

• Resident population: ~30,000–32,000.
• Resident mobile phone users (all ages): ~22,000–26,000.
• Adult smartphone users: ~20,000–24,000 (roughly 83–88% of adults, close to NC average).
• Mobile-only households (primary internet via cellular, no wireline at home):
  • Currituck: ~8–12% of households (roughly 900–1,300 households).
  • North Carolina: generally ~10–13%.
  • Local nuance: Primary residences on the mainland skew toward cable/fiber use; mobile‑only is more common among seasonal/short‑term homes and in fringe coverage areas.
• Peak‑season uplift: On summer holiday weeks, active devices in Corolla/Carova and along NC‑12 can reach 2–3x the resident baseline during afternoon/evening busy hours; carriers often rely on temporary capacity adds and sector optimizations to keep up.

Demographic patterns that shape usage

• Age: Currituck’s median age is several years higher than NC’s. Smartphone ownership among 65+ is a bit lower than the state average, but nearly all 35–64 and most teens have smartphones. Result: adult smartphone penetration lands roughly on par with NC, but with a slightly larger long‑tail of LTE‑only or budget devices among seniors.
• Income and device mix: Household incomes trend higher than NC overall; expect:
  • More unlimited and premium plans.
  • Higher share of 5G‑capable handsets among working‑age commuters than in the typical rural county.
  • More secondary lines (watches, tablets, hotspots) per household than the NC average.
• Commuting to Virginia: Many subscribers anchor plans to Hampton Roads retail markets. Daytime device counts and usage often “export” to VA cells—an atypical pattern in NC that affects local off‑peak vs. peak profiles.

Digital infrastructure and coverage notes

• Radio access
  • Carriers: All three national MNOs operate in the county; FirstNet coverage is present for public safety.
  • 4G LTE is widespread on the mainland corridors (US‑158/NC‑168, Moyock–Grandy–Jarvisburg–Point Harbor). Mid‑band 5G is common along these routes and in denser residential nodes.
  • Outer Banks (Corolla/Carova, NC‑12): Coverage is adequate in built‑up Corolla but becomes sparse north of the paved road (4x4 area), with terrain, vegetation, and coastal propagation limiting reach. Expect stronger downlink than uplink, and more variability than the NC average.
  • Seasonal capacity: Demand spikes drive sector congestion in beach areas and along the Wright Memorial Bridge approach and NC‑12. Carriers sometimes deploy COWs/COLTs or add carriers/sectors seasonally—more common here than statewide.
• Backhaul and middle‑mile
  • Mainland sites tie into fiber or hybrid fiber/cable backhaul along US‑158/NC‑168; island sites may mix fiber and microwave, with weather‑hardening and backup power due to storm risk.
  • Where available, recent fiber expansions (incumbent telco and competitive providers) improve 5G performance on the mainland more than on the northern beaches, widening the mainland/island performance gap relative to state norms.
• Home and small‑business alternatives
  • Cable/fiber pass much of the mainland housing stock; that keeps primary residences less mobile‑only than many rural NC counties.
  • Fixed wireless (LTE/5G Home) availability is spotty but growing on the mainland; island availability is limited by site density and backhaul.
  • Satellite (e.g., LEO) adoption is higher than the NC average in 4x4 beach zones and among off‑grid/secondary homes.

Implications and planning cues

• Network planning must handle a sharper seasonal peak than typical NC counties, with special attention to NC‑12, Corolla, and the 4x4 area.
• Cross‑state commuting means daytime performance KPIs should be assessed with Hampton Roads spillover in mind.
• Outreach for seniors (device upgrades, Wi‑Fi calling, emergency alerts) will have outsized impact versus a median NC county.
• For reliability, prioritize hardening and diverse backhaul on island sites; for capacity, prioritize mid‑band 5G and additional sectors on mainland corridors and Corolla.

Notes on method and confidence

• Estimates draw on 2020–2024 ACS Computer/Internet Use patterns, Pew smartphone adoption, FCC coverage/availability indicators, and known OBX tourism/commuting dynamics. Currituck’s strong growth and seasonality mean actual counts can swing materially; validate with the NC Broadband Office’s county profiles, FCC National Broadband Map (mobile), and carrier RF engineering where possible.

Below is a concise, locally tuned snapshot for Currituck County, NC. Where exact county-level data aren’t published, figures are modeled from 2023–2024 Pew Research national adoption rates, rural/age adjustments, and Currituck’s demographic profile. Treat percentages as directional (±3–5 pts).

Population base (est.)

• Total residents: ~31,000
• Age 13+: ~26,500–27,500 (used as the “potential social media audience”)

Overall social media usage

• Monthly users (any platform): ~85–90% of 13+ (≈22,500–24,500)
• Daily users (any platform): ~70–75% of 13+ (≈18,500–20,500)

Age mix of social media users (share of users)

• 13–17: 6–7%
• 18–29: 14–16%
• 30–44: 27–29%
• 45–64: 33–35%
• 65+: 15–18% Note: County skews older than the U.S. average, so Facebook/YouTube over-index; TikTok/Snapchat under-index vs national.

Gender breakdown (share of users)

• Women: ~52%
• Men: ~48% Notes: Women over-index on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest; men over-index on YouTube, Reddit, X.

Most-used platforms in Currituck (share of age 13+; single-platform reach, not exclusive; estimated)

• YouTube: 75–80% (≈20.0–22.0k)
• Facebook: 62–70% (≈16.5–19.0k)
• Instagram: 35–45% (≈9.5–12.5k)
• TikTok: 25–35% (≈6.5–9.5k)
• Snapchat: 22–30% (≈5.8–8.2k; concentrated under 30)
• Pinterest: 20–28% (≈5.3–7.6k; strong among women 30–64)
• LinkedIn: 12–18% (≈3.2–4.9k; commuters/professionals, ties to Hampton Roads)
• X (Twitter): 10–15% (≈2.6–4.0k)
• Reddit: 8–12% (≈2.1–3.2k)
• Nextdoor: 10–15% (≈2.6–4.0k; neighborhood/HOA clusters)

Behavioral trends to know

• Community-first on Facebook: Heavy use of local Groups for buy/sell/trade, lost pets, school athletics, church and civic events, and storm updates. Marketplace is a key commerce channel for services and seasonal gear.
• Storms and infrastructure drive spikes: Hurricane/nor’easter tracking, ferry notices (Knotts Island), US-168/OBX traffic, and bridge updates trigger surges in Facebook and YouTube live/video.
• Seasonal rhythm: March–October sees higher posting, video, and Stories/Reels tied to beaches, boating, fishing, weddings, and vacation rentals; TikTok/Instagram usage rises in-season, dips off-season.
• Youth patterns: Teens/young adults lean Snapchat and TikTok (afternoons/evenings), use Instagram for school sports and local food spots; Facebook mainly for events and family.
• Video-forward consumption: Short-form dominates (Reels/Shorts/TikTok) for fishing reports, DIY/maintenance, local restaurant features. YouTube is strong for how-to, boating, and outdoor content.
• Civic engagement: Active discussion around development, schools, and county meetings; Facebook remains the hub for issue-based groups. X usage is niche and news-focused.
• Messaging habits: Facebook Messenger is ubiquitous for local business inquiries and peer-to-peer deals; Snapchat is common among teens; WhatsApp is limited.
• Timing: Peaks around 7–10 pm; morning traffic/school updates 6:30–8:30 am; youth spike 3–5 pm.

Practical implications

• Prioritize Facebook (Pages, Groups, Events, Marketplace) and YouTube (how-to, short-form clips); add Instagram Reels in peak season.
• Use local hooks: weather readiness, fishing/boating tips, school and sports tie-ins, and hyperlocal hashtags.
• Expect overlap across platforms; plan creative variations rather than unique audiences.
• Geo-target 15–30 miles, factoring commuter flow to Chesapeake/Virginia Beach and OBX traffic in season.

Method note: Exact platform counts at the county level aren’t publicly reported. Figures above are modeled from Pew 2023–2024 U.S. adoption, adjusted for Currituck’s older age mix and rural profile; they align with typical Meta/Google audience ranges for similar NC coastal counties.