High employee churn is extremely expensive, especially in manufacturing. Replacing a skilled worker typically costs on the order of 30-33% of annual pay ( For example, a worker earning $45K/year can cost roughly $15K to replace). And that’s just direct hiring expenses.
Hidden losses compound the pain: remaining staff pile on extra work, hurting morale, production and quality suffer, and valuable on-the-job expertise walks out the door. The bottom line: high turnover drains productivity, reduces customer satisfaction, and weakens the employer brand. By contrast, stable, long-tenured workforces keep institutional knowledge and skills in-house, a powerful competitive advantage.
The Brunswick County Retention Advantage
Brunswick County manufacturers consistently report lower turnover and longer tenures than their urban counterparts. While state and national reports put manufacturing turnover around 30-40% annually, employers here often see single-digit or low double-digit attrition rates. This retention edge reflects local conditions: Brunswick’s smaller, tight-knit industry cluster means firms aren’t all poaching the same workers.
Unlike congested metros, Brunswick County’s employees mostly live and work locally. According to the NC Commerce county profile, 65.9% of Brunswick workers live in-county. By contrast, urban factories often draw from distant areas, increasing competition for labor.
Why Employees Stay: Quality of Life Drives Stability
Affordable Housing, Financial Stability
Housing is relatively affordable in Brunswick County. The median home sale price here is roughly $426K (2025 data). That compares to about $429K in Charlotte, and $454K in Raleigh. Most Brunswick workers own their homes (over 80% homeownership rate), and only about 26% of Brunswick households spend over 30% of their income on housing. By comparison, roughly 32-34% in Mecklenburg and New Hanover counties are cost-burdened.
This affordability means employees feel financially secure. A 2-bedroom apartment’s fair-market rent in Brunswick is only about $1,282/month (vs. approx. $1,580 in Wilmington).
Short Commutes = Work-Life Balance
Brunswick residents enjoy shorter drive times than urban workers. The average one-way commute here is only about 24.3 minutes. By contrast, in Charlotte it’s roughly 28-30 minutes, and in the Raleigh area it’s around 23-26 minutes. This difference may seem small, but over 250 workdays, it adds up to dozens of “free” hours annually, time that families spend together rather than battling traffic. This can translate into fewer late arrivals and absences.
Community and Family Ties
Brunswick County is defined by small communities and strong social connections. Many workers here have long family ties in the area or have relocated their extended families to be nearby. In fact, Brunswick County’s population jumped 15.8% from 2020-2023, driven largely by families drawn to its lifestyle. New residents often cite the combination of community feel and good schools as reasons to stay. Smaller class sizes, modern facilities, and safe neighborhoods all help keep employees’ personal lives stable, which feeds back into job stability.
Coastal Lifestyle
Employees here live just minutes from beautiful beaches, fishing piers, marshland parks, and boating waterways. This coastal lifestyle is a powerful retention tool. Many employers use the location itself as a selling point: why would someone leave a job that lets them surf or fish in their free time? Brunswick is a “perfect blend of coastal living and modern amenities”. Even when career opportunities arise elsewhere, employees often weigh them against the question, “Why give up this beach life?”
Lower Overall Cost of Living
North Carolina does not tax Social Security or military retirement, which encourages older workers to stay here. Combined with generally lower costs, these factors mean a $55K salary stretches farther in Brunswick than in Charlotte or Raleigh. Less financial stress means employees aren’t scrambling for pay raises year after year. Stable personal finances translate into more stable careers.
A Multi-Generational Stability Factor
Brunswick’s workforce spans all ages, and every generation has reasons to stay. Almost one-third of residents are seniors, many retired here for the climate and lifestyle. Young adults and families can afford homes and childcare (the area’s median household income is about $74K, enough to support a middle-class life with homeownership). This multi-generational “embeddedness” means turnover is low: spouses, siblings, and even parents and children often all work locally, reinforcing a culture of loyalty.
How Brunswick County Supports Retention
It’s not accidental that Brunswick companies keep workers. Workforce training programs (through Brunswick Community College and apprenticeship consortia) mean employees can upskill without leaving town. Also, world-class healthcare keeps the workforce healthy. Novant Health’s Brunswick Medical Center earned an “A” grade for safety and quality, and multiple hospitals provide excellent care.
As the local economy grows, Brunswick’s social scene is improving: new restaurants, breweries, cultural events, and recreation centers are opening. When companies highlight these investments (and the strong school performance) to employees, it reinforces pride in the community.
The Bottom Line
Brunswick County’s workforce stability is a unique competitive edge for employers. If your company faces retention challenges, consider what Brunswick County offers. With fewer vacancies to fill and more experienced staff on the floor, your operation will run smoothly and at a lower expense.
Ready to discuss how Brunswick County’s workforce stability could impact your operations? Contact Brunswick Business & Industry Development to explore available sites, connect with local employers about their retention experience, and discover how location choice can transform your workforce strategy.