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Wilmington, NC

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Wilmington, NC

Wilmington is a port city in and the county seat of New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 at the 2020 census, it is the eighth-most populous city in the state. Wilmington is the principal city of the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties. Its metropolitan statistical area had an estimated population of 467,337 in 2023.

Wilmington's historic downtown has a 1.75-mile (2.82 km) riverwalk, developed as a tourist attraction in the late 20th century. In 2014, Wilmington's riverfront was ranked as the "Best American Riverfront" by readers of USA Today. The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected Wilmington as one of its 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.

City residents live between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, with four nearby beach communities just outside Wilmington: Fort Fisher, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach, all within half-hour drives from downtown Wilmington. The city is home to the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), which provides a wide variety of programs for undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners, in addition to cultural and sports events open to the community.

Toward the end of the 19th century, Wilmington was a majority-black, racially integrated, prosperous city, and the largest city in North Carolina. In the Wilmington massacre of 1898, white supremacists launched a coup that overthrew the legitimately elected local Fusionist government. They expelled opposition black and white leaders from the city, destroyed the property and businesses of black citizens built up since the Civil War, including the only black newspaper in the city, and killed an estimated 60 to more than 300 people. This coincided with broader efforts of disenfranchisement at the state level. Whereas North Carolina had 125,000 registered black voters in 1896, it had 6,000 black voters by 1902. By 1910, Charlotte overtook Wilmington as North Carolina's largest city.

In 2003, the city was designated by the U.S. Congress as a "Coast Guard City", one of 29 cities that currently bear that designation, and was the home port for the USCGC Diligence, a United States Coast Guard medium-endurance cutter, until 2020. On September 2, 2020, then-President Donald Trump officially declared Wilmington as the country's first World War II Heritage City. The World War II battleship USS North Carolina, now a war memorial, is moored across from the downtown port area and is open to the public for tours. Other attractions include the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science and the Children's Museum of Wilmington. 

Wilmington is also the home of Cinespace Wilmington, the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside California. Dream Stage 10, the facility's newest sound stage, is the third-largest in the United States. It houses the largest special-effects water tank in North America. After the studio complex's opening in 1984, Wilmington became a major American film and television production center. Numerous movies and television shows, in a range of genres, have been produced here, including Iron Man 3, Super Mario Bros., The Conjuring, A Walk to Remember, The Crow, Sleepy Hollow, Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, and The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Wilmington is the eastern terminus of Interstate 40, an east-west freeway that ends 2,554 miles away at Barstow, California, where it joins I-15, the gateway to Southern California. This road passes through many major cities and state capitals along the way.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 52.97 square miles (137.2 km²), of which 51.41 square miles (133.2 km²) is land and 1.56 square miles (4.0 km²) (2.95%) is water. Wrightsville Beach is a common destination in the Wilmington area. Carolina Beach and Kure Beach also add to the city's attractions.

Health and wellness are paramount in Wilmington, NC, with various resources available to residents. Maxim Healthcare is a leading healthcare facility, offering a range of medical services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Wilmington Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include 24Fit Gym & Fitness Center, Cambridge Fitness, and O2 Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Wilmington, such as the Greenfield Lake Park Trail and Long Leaf Park Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Wilmington, NC are Battleship North Carolina, Airlie Gardens, and Bellamy Mansion Museum.

Population: 122,698 (2023). ZIP code: 28401. Area codes: 910, 472. Elevation: 43 ft (13 m). Area: 52.97 sq mi (137.19 km²).

FAQs

Is Wilmington, NC a nice place to live?

Wilmington is in New Hanover County and is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Living in Wilmington offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Wilmington, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Wilmington and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Wilmington are highly rated.

Is Wilmington, NC expensive?

The cost of living in Wilmington, NC is 1% higher than the state average and 4% lower than the national average. Wilmington, NC housing is 23% cheaper than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 4% pricier. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% more in Wilmington, NC than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 2% more

What is Wilmington, NC best known for?

Wilmington rose to fame as North Carolina’s “Port City” because of its connection to the Cape Fear River as well as its bustling railroad system which extended for 161 miles, and which at one point, was the largest railroad system in the world. This often overlooked chapter of the town’s early roots can be explored in fascinating detail at the Wilmington Railroad Museum – a unique museum that will engage visitors of all ages. Originally opened in 1979, exhibits within the museum include a century-old steam locomotive, a sprawling model room, and a special Thomas the Tank Train play area for children, among other historical or culturally significant exhibits.

Sources

Wikipedia

New Hanover County

Maxim Healthcare 

Wilmington Parks and Recreation Department 

24Fit Gym & Fitness Center

Cambridge Fitness 

O2 Fitness

Greenfield Lake Park Trail 

Long Leaf Park Loop

Battleship North Carolina

Airlie Gardens

Bellamy Mansion Museum

Niche

Rentcafe

Wilmington-nc

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