Wilmington, NC Metro Area

Wilmington, NC · Metro Area

453,347Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (2 central, 1 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $76,471
Median home value: $362,400
Land area: 1,914 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
New Hanover County, NC	Central	235,229	$75,166	$387,800
Brunswick County, NC	Central	152,568	$77,024	$349,800
Pender County, NC	Outlying	65,550	$80,396	$299,000

Largest cities and towns

44 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Wilmington, NC	City	120,805	$66,738
Leland, NC	Town	29,607	$91,977
Murraysville, NC	CDP	16,339	$81,167
Myrtle Grove, NC	CDP	12,637	$113,463
Hampstead, NC	CDP	9,292	$91,745
Oak Island, NC	Town	9,030	$85,872
Kings Grant, NC	CDP	9,003	$62,232
Ogden, NC	CDP	8,249	$121,338
Porters Neck, NC	CDP	7,654	$119,979
St. James, NC	Town	7,072	$116,383
Carolina Beach, NC	Town	6,745	$94,398
Silver Lake, NC	CDP	6,563	$76,756
Boiling Spring Lakes, NC	City	6,347	$62,676
Wrightsboro, NC	CDP	6,287	$78,450
Northchase, NC	CDP	5,896	$59,375
Carolina Shores, NC	Town	5,017	$76,087
Shallotte, NC	Town	4,639	$88,367
Sunset Beach, NC	Town	4,351	$81,976
Southport, NC	City	4,205	$87,641
Burgaw, NC	Town	3,850	$67,853
Skippers Corner, NC	CDP	3,792	$72,297
Bayshore, NC	CDP	2,949	$94,632
Wrightsville Beach, NC	Town	2,665	$151,563
Belville, NC	Town	2,573	$81,944
Kure Beach, NC	Town	2,466	$104,149

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Unemployment

4.6%

College Educated

39.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$76,471

Mean Household Income

$104,427

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.2%

Female

51.8%

Population Split

Male48.2%

Female51.8%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English15.7%

Irish13.4%

German12.3%

Italian6.1%

Mexican3.5%

Scottish3.0%

Polish2.5%

French2.1%

African0.7%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

4.9%Foreign Born

95.1%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized43.0%

Non-Citizen57.0%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later29.0%

Before 201071.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

250,971

Median Rent

$1,389/mo

Median Home Value

$362,400

Median Year Built

1998

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

91,051

College Enrollment

26.2%

High School

20.4%

College Educated

39.4%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

23.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

72.4%

Public Transit

0.3%

Work From Home

17.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

17.3%

18-34 Years

20.5%

35-64 Years

38.3%

65+ Years

23.9%

Population Composition

Under 1817.3%

18-3420.5%

35-6438.3%

65+23.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.1%

Single Parent

4.1%

Living Alone

29.9%

Avg Size

2.24

Household Types

Married Couples49.1%

Single Parent4.1%

Living Alone29.9%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$46,500

SNAP Usage

9.3%

Health Insurance

91.2%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k14.2%

$25k - $50k17.2%

$50k - $100k31.1%

$100k+37.6%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

7.0%

Retail Trade

11.9%

Education & Health Care

21.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.8%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

91.2%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.7%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.6%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

96.4

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

107.7

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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