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Ocean Isle Beach is a barrier-island community along the southern Brunswick County coastline. Long before modern development, the surrounding coastal environment was used by Indigenous peoples who depended on estuaries, tidal creeks, forests, and maritime resources. European-American settlement eventually spread throughout Brunswick County, but the barrier islands remained sparsely populated for generations because of their isolation and vulnerability to coastal storms. Fishing, shellfish harvesting, navigation, and other activities connected to the water shaped life throughout the broader region.

Ocean Isle Beach's transformation into a recognizable town occurred primarily during the twentieth century. Development accelerated after Odell Williamson, a prominent Brunswick County businessman and public official, acquired property and helped establish the community as a planned coastal destination. Roads, residential lots, vacation cottages, and other infrastructure gradually transformed the island into a beach community. Ocean Isle Beach was incorporated in 1959, formalizing its municipal identity during an era when coastal tourism was expanding rapidly across southeastern North Carolina.

Transportation improvements were essential to this growth. Early access to many Brunswick County barrier islands was difficult, limiting development and tourism. Bridges and improved highways eventually connected Ocean Isle Beach with mainland communities and regional transportation networks. U.S. Highway 17 provided access toward Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, while local roads connected the island with Shallotte, Sunset Beach, and Holden Beach. These transportation improvements allowed Ocean Isle Beach to develop as both a vacation destination and a permanent residential community.

The Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway have always been central to the town's identity. Fishing, boating, swimming, and beach recreation became major attractions, while waterfront homes and canals added distinctive residential environments. Coastal storms and hurricanes have also played an important role in the community's history, periodically damaging structures and reshaping portions of the shoreline. Over time, building standards, elevated construction, storm preparation, and shoreline management became increasingly important considerations for property owners and local government.

Ocean Isle Beach developed cultural and educational attractions alongside its residential and tourism economy. The Museum of Coastal Carolina became an important local institution, helping visitors and residents learn about the region's marine ecosystems, wildlife, barrier islands, and natural history. Restaurants, shops, fishing facilities, and community events further strengthened the town's appeal. Mainland development also expanded, creating additional residential neighborhoods, golf communities, businesses, and services associated with the Ocean Isle Beach area.

Today, Ocean Isle Beach combines the character of a traditional Carolina beach town with extensive modern residential development. Properties range from older beach cottages and canal-front homes to condominiums, luxury coastal residences, mainland communities, and new construction. Residents and visitors enjoy beaches, boating, fishing, golf, dining, and convenient access to other Brunswick Islands communities. Its position between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, combined with the natural attractions of the Atlantic coast, continues to make Ocean Isle Beach an important residential, vacation, and investment-property market within Brunswick County.