Bald Head Island has approximately 1150 private residences and is home to approximately 200 year-round residents. The island is home to Old Baldy, a lighthouse completed in 1817. Old Baldy is North Carolinas oldest lighthouse.

Yes, Bald Head Island is a lived-in village with a small but dedicated year-round population. As of 2026, the permanent resident count is approximately 286 people. While the year-round community is modest, consisting mostly of retirees and those who work in the island's unique service economy, the population swells dramatically during the summer months. In the peak of July and August, the island hosts upwards of 5,000 people, including homeowners with secondary residences and vacationers. Life on the island is famously unique because cars are prohibited; residents and visitors alike navigate the maritime forest and beaches using electric golf carts, bicycles, or by walking. This permanent community supports a small post office, a chapel, and several year-round businesses, creating a close-knit "village" feel that persists even when the seasonal tourists depart for the winter.