Emerald Isle, North Carolina, United States [Town]; population was 2,434 in 1990; housing units was 4,574 in 1990; location is 34°40'N 77°2'W; land area is 5.24 square miles (3,355 acres); water area is 0.03 square miles (22 acres); FIPS code is 21160 [SourceCBP]