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

By Evan Comen Updated Aug 25, 11:05AM EDT · Published Aug 24, 6:30AM EDT

Key Points

In recent years, thousands of Americans have left climate vulnerable coastal cities like Miami.
Many U.S. islands, however, have experienced substantial population growth.
Several once quiet islands off the coast of North Carolina and Florida have more than doubled in population.

As Americans Flee Miami and Hawaii, These Once Quiet Islands Are Doubling In Population — © twabian / Shutterstock.com

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

Escambia+County+Florida+view | A Day At The Beach

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

North+Carolina+people | Surfer Dude

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

Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. Lake Clark in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Turquoise lake with rugged mountains, islands and shore. Denaʼina: Qizhjeh Vena. Tommy Island, wake.

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

Sunset on Pine Island, Florida with a dock and palm trees

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

Atlantic Ocean on sunny day, Harbor Island, South Carolina, USA

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

meditative seascape at Boneyard Beach on Bull Island in South Carolina at sunrise

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

Drone Fly view over beach in Siesta Key, Florida. Beautiful Siesta Key beach on a sunny day. Turquoise transparent water and blue sea in Siesta Key beach.

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

Texas+coastline | Galveston Island texas

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

Kingston+Washington+view | View of Puget Sound from Bremerton-Seattle Ferry

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

Madaket, Massachusetts | Madaket Harbor - Nantucket

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

Maryland+coastline | Looking N across St George Creek - St Georges Island Maryland - 2012-01-15

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

Sunrise at Ship Bottom Beach, Long Beach Island, New Jersey

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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About the Author Evan Comen →

Evan Comen is a writer for 24/7 Wall St. He has worked as a data journalist since 2015, covering climate change and urban economics. His work is regularly featured on MSN, and has been cited in many major online and print publications, including The Boston Globe, the Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times.