Wilmington, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wilmington, North Carolina had a total population of 120,805, the 8th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $66,738, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Wilmington Quick Facts
How Wilmington Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 120,805 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $66,738 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $350,300 | $383,800 | +9.6% |
How Wilmington Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wilmington Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in New Hanover County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murraysville | 16,339 | $81,167 | 4.5% | $320,700 |
| Myrtle Grove | 12,637 | $113,463 | 6.2% | $439,100 |
| Kings Grant | 9,003 | $62,232 | 14.7% | $300,700 |
| Ogden | 8,249 | $121,338 | 4.8% | $463,700 |
| Porters Neck | 7,654 | $119,979 | 3.8% | $569,700 |
| Carolina Beach | 6,745 | $94,398 | 6.0% | $566,200 |
| Silver Lake | 6,563 | $76,756 | 9.7% | $325,500 |
| Wrightsboro | 6,287 | $78,450 | 10.7% | $255,700 |
| Northchase | 5,896 | $59,375 | 22.3% | $318,400 |
| Skippers Corner | 3,792 | $72,297 | 28.3% | $247,500 |
Cities Similar to Wilmington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Point | 116,245 | $64,561 | $235,800 | 34.0% | 15.7% |
| Concord | 108,719 | $86,921 | $353,700 | 40.9% | 9.6% |
| Asheville | 94,535 | $71,102 | $440,000 | 53.4% | 14.2% |
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | $277,600 | 26.6% | 16.3% |
| Greenville | 92,857 | $49,748 | $233,500 | 39.1% | 24.6% |
Population Overview
Wilmington is a major urban center located in North Carolina, within New Hanover County. The total population is 120,805. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wilmington is 37.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wilmington is $66,738. This is 8% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $383,800. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 47.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wilmington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.4%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
46.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%. Notably, 16.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wilmington, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wilmington, North Carolina?
Wilmington, North Carolina has a population of 120,805 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wilmington, NC?
The median household income in Wilmington is $66,738, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wilmington, NC?
The poverty rate in Wilmington is 16.0%. This means approximately 18,672 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wilmington, North Carolina?
Wilmington's population is 69.9% White, 14.4% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wilmington, NC?
The median home value in Wilmington is $383,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Wilmington, North Carolina?
46.8% of adults (25+) in Wilmington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.