Centrally located in the South Brunswick Islands, Shallotte has been the area’s commercial hub since the 1800s. In those days, river pilots traveled the Shallotte River to deliver food and supplies.
Today Shallotte, which got its name from the river that winds through town, is home to many nationally franchised restaurants, stores and hotels along with a number of local restaurants and shops. All the modern conveniences you might need are within minutes of quiet beaches.
The average annual temperature in Shallotte is 74 degrees. During the hot summer months, ocean breezes help keep things cool. The climate is perfect for year-round outdoor activities such as golf and fishing and there are plenty of opportunities for both.
Brunswick County’s very first golf course is in Shallotte and is just one of 100 within an hour’s drive. Fishermen, meanwhile, can cast their lines from the pier, in the surf or on the shore. Even if you don’t fish, you can enjoy fresh catches of the day at many local restaurants.
If you’re looking for a quick getaway, Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, S.C. are also within easy driving distance.
Although Shallotte has grown, it has managed to maintain a small town, leisurely charm. It’s been said that Shallotte is “an interesting mix of small-town friendliness and larger town convenience that always remembers to respect the natural beauty of the area while effectively taking care of its visitors and residents.”
Although records of settlement of the area are dated around 1750, the earliest reference to the river and the town of Shallotte dates back to 1734.
The Town of Shallotte was incorporated on March 6, 1899, and according to some accounts it took its name from a traveler who crossed the river by ferry and referred to it as the Charlotte River. Later the river became known as the Shallotte River and the town began to be referred to by the same name. In the early years fishing, agriculture and a lively river waterfront full of small ships and boats used to transport goods to and from the area, were the means by which residents earned a living.
Shallotte now serves as the shopping and services hub for the beach communities of Brunswick County. Due to its location on the mainland and its proximity to the islands, Shallotte offers visitors and residents the convenience of larger-town living and services. Shallotte offers shopping malls with grocery stores and national chain department stores, and a 10-screen digital movie theater. The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce has its headquarters in Shallotte, as as does the office of the Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Welcome Center.
Shallotte has a year-round population of slightly more than 1,900 and is still considered a small town though it has many of the amenities that larger cities provide. Shallotte is located almost directly between Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC, with the drive time to either city being approximately 35 to 45 minutes. It is roughly 10 minutes from Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach.