Map of Brunswick County, North Carolina

Brunswick County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 136,693. Its population was only 73,143 in 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. With a nominal growth rate of approximately 47% in ten years, much of the growth is centered in the eastern section of the county in the suburbs of Wilmington such as Leland, Belville and Southport. A 2019 estimated population of 142,820 makes Brunswick the fourth-fastest-growing county in the country. The county seat is Bolivia, which at a population of around 150 people is among the least populous county seats in the state.

Brunswick County is included in the Myrtle Beach–Conway–North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was formerly part of the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Brunswick County and Wilmington area leaders disputed the change, but unsuccessfully.

Much of the economy of the county is built around tourism, with beach communities lying along the south-facing beaches past Cape Fear such as Bald Head Island (the southernmost point of North Carolina) and Oak Island being popular destinations. Calabash, on the border of South Carolina, is renowned for its fried seafood, with “Calabash-style” restaurants dotting the region. The proximity to EUE/Screen Gems Studios in nearby Wilmington has made Brunswick County a popular filming location for many movies and TV shows.

Brunswick County overview:
Name:	Brunswick County
FIPS code:	37-019
State:	North Carolina
Founded:	March 9, 1764
Named for:	Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Seat:	Bolivia
Largest city:	Leland
Total Area:	1,050 sq mi (2,700 km²)
Land Area:	847 sq mi (2,190 km²)
Total Population:	136,693
Population Density:	130/sq mi (50/km²)
Time zone:	UTC−5 (Eastern)
Summer Time Zone (DST):	UTC−4 (EDT)
Website:	www.brunswickcountync.gov

Brunswick County location map. Where is Brunswick County?

Brunswick County location on the U.S. Map. Where is Brunswick County. — Location of Brunswick County in the the United States.

Brunswick County location on the North Carolina map. Where is Brunswick County. — Location of Brunswick County in North Carolina.

History

The county was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County. It was named for the colonial port of Brunswick Town (now in ruins) which itself was named for Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg; at the time held by the British kings of the House of Hanover.

Brunswick County Road Map

Brunswick CountyStreet Map. — Street map of Brunswick County, North Carolina. Source: OpenStreetMap (OSM)

Brunswick CountyMap — Brunswick Countypolitical map.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,050 square miles (2,700 km), of which 847 square miles (2,190 km) is land and 203 square miles (530 km) (19%) is water. It is the fourth-largest county in North Carolina by total area. The Brunswick River and the Cape Fear River provide access to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Brunswick Nuclear Generating Station is to the north of Southport.

Hydrogeology

The principal ground-water-supply sources for Brunswick County are the surficial aquifer for domestic supplies and the Castle Hayne aquifer for municipal supplies.

Beaches

Islands

Bald Head Island
Bird Island
Oak Island

Major water bodies

Alligator Creek
Atlantic Ocean
Black River, home of the oldest documented Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) at 2,648 years old, located in Bladen County
Brunswick River
Cape Fear River
Elizabeth River
Frying Pan Shoals
Intracoastal Waterway
Lockwood Folly River
Little River
Long Bay
North Lake
Northeast Cape Fear River
Onslow Bay
Orton Pond
Patricia Lake
Saucepan Creek
Shallotte River
Waccamaw River

State and local protected area/sites

Bald Head Island Natural Area
Bald Head Woods Maritime Forest Preserve
Bird Island Reserve
Brunswick Nature Park
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve
Green Swamp Preserve (part)
Myrtle Head Savanna
Oak Island Lighthouse
Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum
Orton Creek Preserve
South of Onslow County Mechanical Harvesting of Oysters Prohibited Area (part)
Zekes Island Estuarine Reserve Dedicated Nature Preserve (part)
Zeke’s Island Reserve (part)

Adjacent counties

Pender County – north
New Hanover County – east
Columbus County – west-northwest
Horry County, South Carolina – west

Major highways

Future I-74 (Concurrency with US 74/76, NC 211, and US 17)
I-140 / NC 140
US 17
US 17 Bus. (Bolivia)
US 17 Bus. (Shallotte)
US 74
US 76
US 421
NC 87
NC 130
NC 130 Bus.
NC 133
NC 179
NC 179 Bus.
NC 211
NC 904
NC 906

Major infrastructure

Cape Fear Regional Jetport, near Oak Island
Fort Fisher – Southport Ferry (To New Hanover County)
MCAS Sunny Point, military base and terminal near Southport.
Odell Williamson Municipal Airport
Southport – Bald Head Island Ferry, Private ferry that services Bald Head Island.