Bald Head Island, North Carolina
Bald Head Island, historically Smith Island, is a village located on the east side of the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. Compared to the nearby city of Wilmington to the north, the village of Bald Head Island is small and somewhat remote. It is accessible by ferry from the nearby town of Southport and by four-wheel drive vehicle along the beach strand from Fort Fisher to the north. Only government officials are allowed to drive the beach strand route. There are few cars on the island; instead, residents drive modified electric golf carts. Bald Head Island is nationally recognized for its sea turtle nesting activity.
Bald Head Island | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Bald Head Island Marina with Old Baldy lighthouse | |
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Seal | |
| Nickname: Old Baldy | |
Bald Head Island Location within the state of North Carolina | |
| Coordinates: 33°51′55″N 78°00′19″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Brunswick |
| Township | Smithville Township |
| Founded | 1817 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Peter Quinn |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.86 sq mi (15.18 km2) |
| • Land | 3.91 sq mi (10.14 km2) |
| • Water | 1.95 sq mi (5.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 268 |
| • Density | 68.47/sq mi (26.43/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 28461 |
| Area codes | 910, 472 |
| FIPS code | 37-03150 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2407414 |
| Website | www |
The population of the village was 158 at the 2010 census. The village is part of the Wilmington metropolitan area.
The village is revered for its picturesque nature and is a popular location for vacationing. It was the primary filming location for the film Weekend at Bernie's in 1989 as well as a major location in The Butcher's Wife in 1991. "Old Baldy", its out-of-service lighthouse built in 1817, is the oldest still standing in the state.