Wilmington, North Carolina, known as "The Port City," is a vibrant coastal city with a rich history and a thriving cultural scene. Located along the Cape Fear River and near the Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and modern amenities. The city's dynamic growth and strong sense of community make living in Wilmington an attractive option.
Residents of Wilmington enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, beaches, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach are popular destinations for swimming, surfing, and fishing. The Riverwalk, a scenic boardwalk along the Cape Fear River, offers beautiful views and a vibrant atmosphere.
Wilmington's cultural scene is enriched by its diverse population and vibrant arts community. The Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts hosts a range of performances, including theater productions, concerts, and dance shows. The Cameron Art Museum and the Wilmington Railroad Museum further contribute to the city's cultural landscape, offering residents access to visual and performing arts.
The cost of living in Wilmington is relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's economy is supported by industries such as tourism, healthcare, and education, providing numerous job opportunities for residents.
Public transportation in Wilmington is provided by Wave Transit, which operates bus routes throughout the city. Wilmington's climate features mild winters and hot summers, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Wilmington offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Located in the state of North Carolina, Wilmington is a moderately-sized city with a population of 122,162 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Wilmington is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Wilmington, only 44% of the population is married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Wilmington will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 18 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Wilmington could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Wilmington and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from commute, health & safety, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the North Carolina and national averages.
The livability score in Wilmington is 70/100 and the city is ranked in the 77th percentile of all cities across America. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Wilmington has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (B+). On a less positive note, Wilmington does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Wilmington real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Wilmington. Median real estate prices in Wilmington come in at $264,600, which is 68.4% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Wilmington, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 57.6% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Wilmington | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.8% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.2% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.7% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.7% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 10.3% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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