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COUNTY

New Hanover County

North Carolina · 245,959 residents (2025 est.) · 192 sq mi
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Part of the Wilmington metro area
The short version

New Hanover County is home to 235,229 people in North Carolina. Few US counties rank higher on income. Growth has run 47% since 2000, or 74,922 more people. 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The foreign-born share is 6%. Density works out to 1,224 people per square mile.

At a glance
Lower income
median household income $75,166, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
45% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 66%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place

What stands out about New Hanover County

What changed most since 1990

  • White share78.6% → 74.7% (−3.8 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
  • Population120,284 → 235,229 (+96%)US over the same years: +35%
  • Median home value (2024 dollars)$171,365 → $387,800 (+126%)US over the same years: +67%

Among the 100 counties in North Carolina

  • 17th in household income$75,166
  • 8th in share with a bachelor's degree45.4%
  • 9th in home value$387,800
  • 63rd in diversity score52.6
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
235,229
+47%since 2000
from 160,307 in 2000
245,959 in 2025 (Census Bureau estimate)
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,224 / sq mi
+47%since 2000
from 834 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.9
+10%since 2000
from 36.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Land area
192 sq mi
Population, 1990 – 2024
109K143K178K212K247K19902000201020202024New Hanover County
2024235K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 54.6%(10,834)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 94.6%(10,837)
US avg: 6%
10 to 145.5%(12,845)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 196.4%(15,002)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 249.1%(21,457)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3413.1%(30,812)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 4412.6%(29,551)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 5412.3%(28,824)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6412.9%(30,257)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7411.4%(26,754)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 845.8%(13,559)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over1.9%(4,497)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$75,166
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,172 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$48,592
+110%since 2000
from $23,123 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
50.1%
+21.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.482
−1%since 2010
from 0.485 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration4.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$387,800
+66%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $127,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,417
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $631 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
61.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 64.7% in 2000
38.6% rent
Vacancy rate
12.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.19 people
−3%since 2009
from 2.25 people in 2009
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
22.7%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
52.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.2
+13%since 2009
from 4.6 in 2009
1990 – 2024
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
64
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.9%(126,453)
Black16.8%(27,001)
Hispanic / Latino2%(3,276)
Asian0.8%(1,325)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic74.7%(175,818)
Black10.7%(25,279)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(18,547)
Asian1.4%(3,194)
Other5.3%(12,391)
Diversity Score
53
+17%since 2009
from 45 in 2009
1990 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Segregation Score
34
−10%since 2020
from 38 in 2020
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means White and non-White residents are more separated across neighborhoods.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican3.4%(7,897)
Central American1.6%(3,674)
Puerto Rican1.3%(2,970)
Honduran0.9%(2,116)
South American0.7%(1,647)
Cuban0.3%(813)
Colombian0.3%(776)
Salvadoran0.3%(757)
Chilean0.2%(389)
Guatemalan0.2%(370)
Dominican0.2%(358)
Panamanian0.1%(336)
+ 8 more hispanic origin groups with data
Spaniard0.1%(327)
Venezuelan0.1%(190)
Bolivian0.1%(122)
Argentine0%(115)
Peruvian0%(21)
Asian origin
Korean0.4%(933)
Chinese0.3%(786)
Filipino0.1%(345)
Vietnamese0.1%(265)
Asian Indian0.1%(262)
Burmese0.1%(144)
Hmong0%(94)
Taiwanese0%(80)
Japanese0%(72)
Thai0%(64)
Nepalese0%(32)
+ 3 more asian origin groups with data
Cambodian0%(29)
Pakistani0%(22)
Kazakh0%(9)
Pacific Islander origin
Chamorro0.1%(130)
Samoan0%(108)
Ancestry
English15.8%(37,267)
Irish13.1%(30,919)
German11.7%(27,431)
Italian6%(14,135)
American5%(11,693)
Scottish2.9%(6,713)
Polish2.4%(5,723)
French2.2%(5,170)
Scotch-Irish1.9%(4,420)
Swedish1%(2,337)
Welsh0.8%(1,780)
+ 46 more ancestry groups with data
Dutch0.7%(1,729)
British0.7%(1,718)
Norwegian0.6%(1,517)
Arab0.6%(1,369)
Russian0.5%(1,169)
Greek0.4%(1,041)
Brazilian0.4%(891)
Hungarian0.4%(886)
Danish0.4%(863)
Ukrainian0.3%(741)
West Indian0.3%(739)
Canadian0.3%(650)
Czech0.3%(617)
Slovak0.2%(549)
Swiss0.2%(543)
Lebanese0.2%(507)
Lithuanian0.2%(489)
Portuguese0.2%(479)
Austrian0.2%(466)
Romanian0.1%(333)
Croatian0.1%(266)
Jordanian0.1%(226)
Haitian0.1%(223)
Jamaican0.1%(220)
Belgian0.1%(202)
Australian0.1%(201)
Nigerian0.1%(197)
Syrian0.1%(170)
Guyanese0.1%(167)
Moroccan0.1%(160)
Slovene0.1%(147)
Finnish0.1%(133)
Iranian0%(97)
Serbian0%(92)
Egyptian0%(80)
Ghanaian0%(70)
Ethiopian0%(65)
Turkish0%(63)
Barbadian0%(61)
Armenian0%(59)
Israeli0%(54)
Latvian0%(14)
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
45.4%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 31.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.0%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 86.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
16.0%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.6 min
+60%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.8%
−11.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.1%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
19.4%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−4.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Women 20-64 in the labor force
78.0%
+4.4 ptssince 2020
from 73.6% in 2020
US average: 74.6%
Self-employed
10.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
46.0%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 35.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
52.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
5.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.1%
Unchangedsince 2012
from 12.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.6%
−6.6 ptssince 2013
from 16.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.3%
+11.8 ptssince 2017
from 81.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
Computer in household
97.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2020
from 94.3% in 2020
US average: 95.5%
Same house as last year
83.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2020
from 82.9% in 2020
US average: 87.7%
English only at home
91.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 92.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 4.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married39.1%(36,906)
Married50.5%(47,681)
Widowed2.6%(2,455)
Divorced7.8%(7,368)
Women 15+
Never married32.7%(34,810)
Married45.8%(48,711)
Widowed8%(8,507)
Divorced13.4%(14,275)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09

Health coverage

Uninsured
9.6%
−6.6 ptssince 2013
from 16.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Employer-based
53.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2020
from 54.8% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
20.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2020
from 21.0% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
Medicare
20.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2020
from 20.2% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
Medicaid
14.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2020
from 13.1% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
2.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2020
from 3.0% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
72.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2020
from 72.7% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
33.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2020
from 31.6% in 2020
US average: 36.7%

Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.

Section 09 · Service history

Veterans

Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)29.6%(3,907)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)25.4%(3,349)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era34.1%(4,502)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War4.5%(592)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.4%(48)
US avg: 1%

Share of the 13,192 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.

BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time

New Hanover County, decade by decade

New Hanover County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
YearPopulationMedian household incomeMedian home valueBachelor's degree+Diversity score
1990120,284$65,570$171,36521.2%42.9
2000160,307$73,180$232,99031.0%43.6
2010202,667$69,847$327,70636.1%48.2
2020225,702$68,709$312,94842.2%53.8
2024235,229$75,166$387,80045.4%52.6

Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.

Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare New Hanover County to nearby counties

NEW HANOVER COUNTY VS
Pender County
Income$80,396+7%
Home value$299,000−23%
Population72,111−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW HANOVER COUNTY VS
Brunswick County
Income$77,024+2%
Home value$349,800−10%
Population174,702−29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW HANOVER COUNTY VS
Columbus County
Income$49,442−34%
Home value$146,000−62%
Population50,487−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW HANOVER COUNTY VS
Onslow County
Income$68,148−9%
Home value$236,400−39%
Population217,175−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

New Hanover County, North Carolina has about 235,229 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

The typical household in New Hanover County, North Carolina earns about $75,166 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is New Hanover County, North Carolina expensive?

In New Hanover County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $387,800, and the typical rent is about $1,417 a month.

How educated are people in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

About 45.4% of adults age 25 and over in New Hanover County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

About 12.3% of people in New Hanover County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has New Hanover County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, New Hanover County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 114,945 residents, a change of about 96 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

New Hanover County, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy