As Americans Flee Miami and Hawaii, These Once Quiet Islands Are Doubling In Population

America is beginning to show signs of domestic climate migration. From 2013 to 2023, the population of Miami Beach fell by more than 8,000 residents, among the most of city nationwide. Other climate vulnerable coastal cities like Darien, Georgia, and Atlantic City, New Jersey experienced net population loss, while others saw population growth slow considerably.

While America is just starting to see its coastal populations dwindle, many islands have exploded in population in recent years. Small islands off the coast of North Carolina have more than doubled in population, while sections of the Florida Keys have also experienced booms. As remote work increases and more Baby Boomers age into retirement, quiet bay islands like Stevensville, Maryland are gaining residents, as well as remote islands off the Alaska coast. A closer look at the data reveals the U.S. islands growing in population the fastest.

To determine the U.S. islands growing in population the fastest, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on population growth from the U.S. Census Bureau. Islands were ranked based on percentage growth in population from 2013 to 2023. Supplemental data on housing stock and median household income are also from the U.S. Census Bureau.

40. Manteo, NC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +12.9% (+212 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 29.1%
• Median household income: $78,594
• Median home value: $384,100
• Total population: 1,853

39. Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +13.0% (+812 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 38.5%
• Median household income: $95,212
• Median home value: $880,200
• Total population: 7,042

38. Fernandina Beach, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +13.3% (+1,558 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 15.0%
• Median household income: $92,535
• Median home value: $483,700
• Total population: 13,239

37. Friday Harbor, WA

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +13.4% (+318 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 7.6%
• Median household income: $69,954
• Median home value: $515,000
• Total population: 2,685

36. Carolina Beach, NC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +14.6% (+848 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 34.3%
• Median household income: $88,239
• Median home value: $487,800
• Total population: 6,665

35. Big Pine Key, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +14.9% (+594 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 22.7%
• Median household income: $92,452
• Median home value: $561,500
• Total population: 4,584

34. Seabrook Island, SC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +16.5% (+298 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 47.4%
• Median household income: $124,519
• Median home value: $899,600
• Total population: 2,107

33. Marathon, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +17.0% (+1,426 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 20.4%
• Median household income: $80,556
• Median home value: $683,700
• Total population: 9,831

32. Bal Harbour, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +17.6% (+452 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 52.1%
• Median household income: $91,061
• Median home value: $1,277,200
• Total population: 3,021

31. Kure Beach, NC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +18.5% (+362 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 45.2%
• Median household income: $102,292
• Median home value: $633,800
• Total population: 2,323

30. Juno Beach, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +18.6% (+602 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 31.5%
• Median household income: $65,203
• Median home value: $644,400
• Total population: 3,835

29. Ocracoke, NC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +19.4% (+115 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 9.9%
• Median household income: $00
• Median home value: $472,200
• Total population: 709

28. Holden Beach, NC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +20.2% (+176 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 64.5%
• Median household income: $110,000
• Median home value: $562,500
• Total population: 1,047

27. Stock Island, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +21.4% (+833 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 3.5%
• Median household income: $67,005
• Median home value: $513,300
• Total population: 4,724

26. Klawock, AK

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +21.8% (+133 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 8.4%
• Median household income: $49,063
• Median home value: $249,000
• Total population: 744

25. Womens Bay, AK

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +23.6% (+190 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 0.0%
• Median household income: $102,292
• Median home value: $462,600
• Total population: 994

24. Kodiak Station, AK

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +23.7% (+372 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 0.0%
• Median household income: $102,069
• Median home value: $00
• Total population: 1,941

23. St. Simons, GA

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +24.2% (+3,124 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 22.1%
• Median household income: $105,944
• Median home value: $484,100
• Total population: 16,026

22. Stevensville, MD

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +25.2% (+1,750 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 2.9%
• Median household income: $131,618
• Median home value: $471,900
• Total population: 8,693

21. Puget Island, WA

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +25.8% (+233 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 14.1%
• Median household income: $65,395
• Median home value: $398,200
• Total population: 1,136

20. Tierra Verde, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +25.8% (+832 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 21.2%
• Median household income: $148,785
• Median home value: $767,900
• Total population: 4,051

19. Palm Beach Shores, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +26.7% (+272 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 27.4%
• Median household income: $82,083
• Median home value: $657,200
• Total population: 1,290

18. Bokeelia, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +27.4% (+460 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 27.4%
• Median household income: $68,829
• Median home value: $328,700
• Total population: 2,136

17. Port Royal, SC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +36.6% (+4,028 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 2.0%
• Median household income: $70,330
• Median home value: $298,000
• Total population: 15,047

16. Big Coppitt Key, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +37.1% (+902 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 14.9%
• Median household income: $104,306
• Median home value: $590,700
• Total population: 3,333

15. Nantucket, MA

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +41.5% (+3,177 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 48.1%
• Median household income: $109,988
• Median home value: $1,359,200
• Total population: 10,837

14. Cudjoe Key, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +42.1% (+734 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 24.3%
• Median household income: $84,890
• Median home value: $707,700
• Total population: 2,478

13. Hatteras, NC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +44.3% (+117 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 27.0%
• Median household income: $48,980
• Median home value: $00
• Total population: 381

12. Surfside Beach, TX

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +47.9% (+244 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 36.7%
• Median household income: $96,250
• Median home value: $310,700
• Total population: 753

11. Anderson Island, WA

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +48.3% (+437 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 20.4%
• Median household income: $72,074
• Median home value: $477,600
• Total population: 1,341

10. Madaket, MA

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +51.2% (+128 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 72.3%
• Median household income: $106,615
• Median home value: $1,226,600
• Total population: 378

9. Duck Key, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +52.2% (+259 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 35.6%
• Median household income: $135,000
• Median home value: $989,900
• Total population: 755

8. Kiawah Island, SC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +60.9% (+831 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 64.3%
• Median household income: $236,607
• Median home value: $1,723,200
• Total population: 2,196

7. Cobb Island, MD

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +76.6% (+504 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 21.5%
• Median household income: $161,141
• Median home value: $246,100
• Total population: 1,162

6. Diamond Beach, NJ

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +92.0% (+138 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 89.0%
• Median household income: $114,914
• Median home value: $603,800
• Total population: 288

5. Juno Ridge, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +96.9% (+620 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 2.9%
• Median household income: $125,556
• Median home value: $288,200
• Total population: 1,260

4. Shelter Island, NY

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +97.5% (+1,126 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 34.4%
• Median household income: $129,410
• Median home value: $1,019,000
• Total population: 2,281

3. Coffman Cove, AK

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +109.2% (+130 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 42.0%
• Median household income: $60,417
• Median home value: $256,300
• Total population: 249

2. Fisher Island, FL

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +259.3% (+599 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 48.7%
• Median household income: $00
• Median home value: $2,000,000
• Total population: 830

1. Frisco, NC

• Population growth, 2013 to 2023: +506.9% (+512 residents)
• Housing units vacant for seasonal or recreational use: 35.0%
• Median household income: $43,162
• Median home value: $430,100
• Total population: 613

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