Identifiers: city · town · CDP
| Rank | Community | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Havelock (city), NC | 16,621 |
| 2 | Morehead City (town), NC | 9,556 |
| 3 | James City (CDP), NC | 5,291 |
| 4 | Beaufort (town), NC | 4,464 |
| 5 | Newport (town), NC | 4,364 |
| 6 | Emerald Isle (town), NC | 3,847 |
| 7 | Swansboro (town), NC | 3,744 |
| 8 | Cape Carteret (town), NC | 2,224 |
| 9 | Broad Creek (CDP), NC | 1,968 |
| 10 | Cedar Point (town), NC | 1,764 |
| 11 | Pine Knoll Shores (town), NC | 1,388 |
| 12 | Atlantic Beach (town), NC | 1,364 |
| 13 | Cherry Branch (CDP), NC | 1,211 |
| 14 | Brandywine Bay (CDP), NC | 1,153 |
| 15 | Peletier (town), NC | 769 |
| 16 | Bogue (town), NC | 695 |
| 17 | Indian Beach (town), NC | 223 |