Population growth is often viewed through the lens of housing, schools, roads, and public services. But for businesses, a growing population represents something equally important: a growing market.
That is especially true in Brunswick County, where population growth has been among the fastest in North Carolina and the country. The county’s population increased from about 136,700 in 2020 to nearly 169,500 in 2024, a 24% increase that made Brunswick the fastest-growing county in the state during that period.
And the momentum has continued. U.S. Census Bureau estimates put Brunswick County’s population at approximately 174,700 in July 2025, representing a 4.7% increase from the previous year.
For manufacturers, distributors, and service providers, that growth creates opportunities that extend well beyond simply having more potential customers. A larger population supports a broader workforce, increases demand for goods and services, attracts additional businesses, and strengthens the case for continued investment in infrastructure and commercial development.
A Growing Population Means a Growing Customer Base
At its most basic level, population growth creates demand.
As more people move to Brunswick County and new households are established, they need products and services. They buy building materials, furniture, appliances, food, vehicles, and other consumer goods. They need healthcare providers, contractors, restaurants, financial services, professional services, and countless other businesses.
That creates opportunities for companies that serve consumers directly, but it also benefits businesses that operate behind the scenes.
Manufacturers can produce goods for a larger regional market. Distributors can move more products through the area. Suppliers can support the construction, hospitality, healthcare, retail, and other industries that grow alongside the population.
For companies evaluating where to expand, this type of sustained population growth can be an important indicator of long-term market potential.
Population Growth Also Supports Business Growth
People do not move into an area in isolation. Population growth tends to create a ripple effect throughout the local economy.
New residents need homes, which creates demand for construction companies, building suppliers, equipment providers, and other businesses. New neighborhoods require landscaping, maintenance, utilities, and professional services. Growing communities also support new retail, restaurants, healthcare facilities and other commercial development.
That means a growing population can create opportunities for businesses that may never interact directly with individual residents.
For example, a manufacturer supplying components to the construction industry may benefit from increased residential development without selling a single product directly to a homeowner. A distributor may see demand increase as retailers, contractors and other businesses expand their operations. A commercial service provider may find new opportunities as more companies establish themselves in the region.
The result is an expanding network of business activity.
A Larger Workforce Creates Another Advantage
Population growth can also help businesses address one of their most important considerations: finding and retaining employees.
Brunswick County’s growth is contributing to a larger regional labor pool, while the broader southeastern North Carolina region provides access to additional workers. The region offers more than 200,000 skilled workers in the surrounding area, along with customized training programs and access to universities and community colleges.
For manufacturers and distributors in particular, workforce availability can play a major role in deciding where to locate or expand.
A company may need production workers, technicians, warehouse employees, drivers, supervisors, engineers, or administrative staff. As a region grows, the potential labor pool grows with it.
Population growth can also make it easier for businesses to recruit employees who are looking for a place to live and build a career, not simply a place to work.
Growth Strengthens the Case for Infrastructure Investment
Businesses need more than customers and employees. They need the infrastructure to move products, receive materials, and operate efficiently.
Brunswick County offers access to major transportation assets, including the Port of Wilmington, the CSX rail system, and major highways. Businesses also have access to multiple airports for commercial, regional, and private travel.
These connections become increasingly valuable as population and economic activity expand.
For distributors, transportation access can help connect facilities with suppliers and customers across the region and beyond. For manufacturers, proximity to transportation infrastructure can influence the cost and efficiency of moving raw materials and finished products.
A growing population can further strengthen the business case for maintaining and expanding these assets. As more people and businesses arrive, demand for transportation, utilities, commercial space, and other infrastructure increases.
Opportunity for Manufacturers, Distributors and Service Providers
Different industries can benefit from population growth in different ways.
Manufacturers can take advantage of a growing regional customer base, access to transportation infrastructure and an expanding workforce. Companies involved in building products, food and beverage, consumer goods, components, and other industries may find opportunities to serve both local and regional markets.
Distributors benefit when there are more products to move and more businesses and consumers to serve. Brunswick County’s location and transportation connections can make it a strategic place for companies involved in warehousing, logistics, and distribution.
Service providers benefit from both residential and commercial growth. Healthcare, construction, professional services, maintenance, financial services, hospitality, and other industries can all see increased demand as the population and business community expand.
The opportunity isn’t limited to companies already operating in Brunswick County. Businesses looking for their next location can use population trends as one factor in determining where future demand is likely to develop.
A Place to Plan for the Future
Population growth is not the only consideration when selecting a business location. Companies also need to evaluate land availability, transportation, utilities, workforce, operating costs, incentives, and quality of life.
Brunswick County brings many of those factors together.
Businesses can find access to major transportation infrastructure, available land and resources, workforce development opportunities, and a coastal quality of life. For companies that need room to expand, Brunswick also offers megasites and other development opportunities designed to accommodate significant investment.
That combination gives businesses the opportunity to think beyond their immediate needs and plan for what comes next.
Growing With Brunswick County
Brunswick County’s population growth is more than a statistic. It is an indication of increasing demand, a larger workforce, new development, and an expanding economic base.
For manufacturers, distributors and service providers, that creates an opportunity to establish a presence in a market with room to grow.
The Brunswick Business & Industry Development (BID) team works with companies considering relocation, expansion, or new investment in the county, helping businesses evaluate available resources and plan for long-term success.
As Brunswick County continues to attract residents and investment, businesses that establish themselves today have an opportunity to grow alongside the community.