Intro

The 1950 Census came out earlier this year in April 2022. As someone who likes genealogy, this subject came of interest. However, due to the nature of the 2020 census not being thoroughly analyzed, statistics are still not available. While looking over resources of the census bureau the historical census of housing for vacation homes grew steadily from 1940 to 2000. Keep in mind, that the US population grew by about 150 Million during that time period.

Since, I go to school in North Carolina, may focus was on the Tar Heal state. My aim for this project was to compare the county with the highest percentage of vacation homes and the county with the highest number of vacation homes. And then look further into the analysis of comparing the zip codes between the two counties.

Hypothesis

I argued that the county with the highest percentage of vacation homes in North Carolina with the highest percentage zip code the would have more vacation homes then the county with the sheer largest number of vacation housing with the highest Zipcode by percentage. In other words, I argued that the zipcode with the highest percentage (based on highest county percentage) was more dense then the zipcode with the highest percentage(based on largesy county.)

Set Up

I first wanted to see an overall sense of vacation data in the US with available data from the census bureau website ranging from 1940 to 2000.

I received this data from https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/coh-vacation.html

I then extracted this data into an excel file and plugged it into excel.

Then, I collected data from the 2010 Census NC website that includes residential data by county and by zip code and made my further analysis, respectfully.

I got this collection of data from https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2012/dec/cph-1-35.pdf

Note: The vacation house data was found under the ‘For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use’. In other words, the number of vacation homes may not be as accurate due to recreational and occasional use included as descriptions.

##Map of US

Explain

Over time NC has grown substanially from 1960 (1.3%) to 1980(3.7%). And in 2000, NC is ranked ranked 13th at for vacation homes in the US with a percentage score of 3.9%. This was also 3rd in the Southeast for vacation homes.

North Carolina by County Vacation Homes

Please see data on Page 351 at https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2012/dec/cph-1-35.pdf

###Explain

The outer banks, Wilmington area and Western part of the state had the largest amount of vacation homes in the States.

Dare County had the highest percentage of vacation homes at 44%. This was just in front of New Hanover and Avery county which both had 43%.

The county with the highest amount of vacation homes was Brunswick county (right beneath New Hanover County) with a total of 23,941 vacation homes.

Dare County Vacation Home by Zip Code

Please see page 328 for details at https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2012/dec/cph-1-35.pdf. ### Explain

Dare County’s highest rated zipcode for vacation homes is Frisco(27936) with a highest percentage of 70.1% vacation homes. However, the total amount of vacation homes is only 255. This is followed by Hatteras 27943 at 65.4% with 573 vacation homes. Both of these counties are lined up next to each other.

Finally the highest amount of vacation homes in this area is 27949 which is Duck Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores with 5,130 vacation homes (61.9%). This is followed by 27948, which is Kill Devil Hills at 3,468 vacation homes (52.7%). These two counties are also next to one another North/South.

Brunswick County Vacation Home by Zip Code

Please see page 322/323 for data at https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2012/dec/cph-1-35.pdf.

Explain

Brunswick County’s highest zipcode by percentage was Ocean Isle Beach (28469) with 75.1% and 3,206 vacation homes. This was followed by Holden Beach (28462) with 74.2% and 1,732 vacation homes.

Brunswick County’s highest number of vacation homes was Shallote(28470) with 9,243 Vacation Homes and 35.8% This is followed by Caswell Beach and Oak Island(28465) with 5,122 Homes and 54.6%..

Conclusion

My first hypothesis was wrong. Brunswick County largely outnumbered Dare County in both highest percentage and highest amount of vacation homes in their particular zipcodes.

Brunswick County’s Ocean Isle Beach (28470) had much more vacation homes then Dare County’s Frisco (27936). As well Brunswick County’s Shallote (28470) had a much larger amount then Dare County’s Duck, Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores(27949) beach by over 4,000 vacation homes. However, Duck/Kitty Hawk/Southern Shores beat Caswell Beach and Oak Island by approximately 8 vacation homes.

So, if you’re looking for a smaller place for a beach vacation Dare County may be more suitable then Brunswick County. Although, some places in Dare may be just as high of Brunswick, Dare’s most crowded places is still smaller then the most crowded places in Brunswick.

Future research may be done to measure particular demographics such as the amount’s of income, age range and maetrial status between each particular county.

This could be a great resource for travel agencies, real estate agents and businesses to for make plans for the future.