General Description
     Holden Beach is a barrier island located on the southern edge of Brunswick Country in southeastern North Carolina (33.9 degrees north latitude and 78.3 degrees west longitude). The island is south facing running generally east and west, bounded on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and on the north by the Intercoastal Waterway.
     By 1954 the island had about 300 homes and a turn-bridge for access from the mainland.  After that year's destructive hurricane Hazel, rebuilding was slow.  On February 14, 1969 the island was incorporated and on May 13, 1986 the Town of Holden Beach dedicated a high rise steel and concrete bridge, allowing better access to the then more than 1700 homes on the island.
     The island is about eight miles long and one half mile wide with a permanent population of approximately 900 residents. The community projects a "family beach: image through zoning and appearance rules, including a building height limit. The modest amount of commercial development consists of a fishing pier, two fish houses and several charter boats operations. Additionally, there is a pizza restaurant, two general stores, an apparel store and real estate/rental agencies.
     The tourist industry, which produces much of the town's income, has been growing and now lasts from March to September increasing the town's peak population to approximately 15,000 residents and visitors combined. The income from this industry is almost entirely derived from seasonal property rentals. Current development is directed toward supporting peak population in mid summer to over 20,000 residents and visitors combined. Two private subdivisions, Holden Beach West at the western end and Dunescape at the eastern end, are currently under development.