Living in Wilmington, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Wilmington · Census data 2020–2024
Wilmington has 120,805 residents with a median age of 37.1. The median household income is $66,738 (8% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $383,800, the median rent is $1,395/month.
Wilmington at a glance
- Population
- 120,805
- Median age
- 37.1State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $66,738State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $383,800State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,395/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 47.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46.8%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Wilmington a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 4.3%.
Cons: Median household income 8% lower than the North Carolina median; home values 33% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 16%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Wilmington
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Wilmington the median home value is $383,800, 15% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,395 per month, which is 33.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,020 a month in housing costs.
Wilmington median household income
The median household income in Wilmington is $66,738 and the income per person is $49,405. 16% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Wilmington: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 62,836
- Owner-occupied
- 47.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 52.4%
- Vacant
- 9.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1989
- Average household size
- 2.05
Wilmington demographics
- Population
- 120,805
- Median age
- 37.1
- Under 18
- 16.4%
- 65 and older
- 18.2%
- Households
- 56,612
- Foreign-born
- 5.7%
- Veterans
- 5.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Wilmington ›
Education in Wilmington
46.8% of adults 25 and older in Wilmington have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 16.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Wilmington
- Unemployment rate
- 4.3%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 19.2%
- Drive alone
- 69.6%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.3%
Wilmington vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 120,805 | $66,738 | $383,800 | $1,395 |
| Kings Grant | 9,003 | $62,232 | $300,700 | $1,292 |
| Silver Lake | 6,563 | $76,756 | $325,500 | $1,416 |
| Wrightsville Beach | 2,665 | $151,563 | $1,168,700 | $2,336 |
| Hightsville | 397 | $31,402 | $228,000 | — |
| Myrtle Grove | 12,637 | $113,463 | $439,100 | $1,463 |
| Wrightsboro | 6,287 | $78,450 | $255,700 | $1,250 |
| Murraysville | 16,339 | $81,167 | $320,700 | $1,777 |
| Ogden | 8,249 | $121,338 | $463,700 | $2,867 |
More for people moving to Wilmington
Wilmington ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Wilmington: FAQ
What is the median household income in Wilmington, NC?
The median household income in Wilmington is $66,738, 8% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Wilmington?
The median home value in Wilmington is $383,800, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Wilmington?
The median gross rent in Wilmington is $1,395 per month, about 33.7% of household income.
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 4.3%. Minuses: median household income 8% lower than the North Carolina median; home values 33% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 16%.
What is the median age in Wilmington?
The median age in Wilmington is 37.1 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Wilmington?
The average commute to work in Wilmington is 19 minutes; 19.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Wilmington?
The unemployment rate in Wilmington is 4.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Wilmington?
46.8% of adults in Wilmington have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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