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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wilmington

North Carolina · 115,451 residents · 51.414 sq mi
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The short version

Wilmington has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,137. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 52% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $264,600. 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
115,451
+52%since 2000
from 75,838 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,246 / sq mi
+52%since 2000
from 1,475 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.8
+11%since 2000
from 34.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
49K69K88K108K127K1990201020202024Wilmington
2024121K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,137
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,099 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,329
+64%since 2000
from $21,503 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.9%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5%
US avg: 10%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.8%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$264,600
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $121,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,008
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $602 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
46.6%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 48.6% in 2000
53.4% rent
Afford Score
5.2
+32%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wilmington on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic69.4%(52,639)
Black25.6%(19,423)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(1,991)
Asian0.9%(677)
Other0%
Diversity Score54.4%(41,283)
2020
White, non-Hispanic69.1%(79,791)
Black16.3%(18,828)
Hispanic / Latino8.3%(9,544)
Asian1.6%(1,826)
Other3.1%(3,550)
Diversity Score58.8%(67,874)
Diversity Score
59
+8%since 2000
from 54 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.9%
+13.0 ptssince 2000
from 31.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.0%
+10.0 ptssince 2000
from 83.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
15.3%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.4 min
+56%since 2000
from 11.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.1%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 64.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
42.5%
−25.1 ptssince 2009
from 67.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
53.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
4.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.2%
−72.1 ptssince 2013
from 83.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Wilmington to nearby cities

WILMINGTON VS
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Income$62,232+22%
Home value$300,700+14%
Population9,003−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILMINGTON VS
Myrtle Grove
Income$113,463+122%
Home value$439,100+66%
Population12,637−90%
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WILMINGTON VS
Murraysville
Income$81,167+59%
Home value$320,700+21%
Population16,339−87%
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WILMINGTON VS
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Income$121,338+137%
Home value$463,700+75%
Population8,249−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wilmington, North Carolina?

Wilmington, North Carolina has about 115,451 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wilmington, North Carolina?

The typical household in Wilmington, North Carolina earns about $51,137 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wilmington, North Carolina expensive?

In Wilmington, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $264,600, and the typical rent is about $1,008 a month.

How educated are people in Wilmington, North Carolina?

About 43.9% of adults age 25 and over in Wilmington, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wilmington, North Carolina?

About 19.2% of people in Wilmington, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wilmington, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Wilmington, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 59,921 residents, a change of about 108 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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