Wilmington, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Wilmington, North Carolina is 118,578 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 8th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $63,900, the median home value is $350,300, and the median age is 37.5.
The population has grown 17.4% since 2010 (106,754 → 125,284).
118,578
Population
2308
People / sq mi
$63,900
Median Income
$350,300
Median Home Value
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Wilmington covers 51.4 sq mi of land at 2308 people per square mile.
About Wilmington, NC
Homeownership is the standout figure in Wilmington: 46.8% of homes are owner-occupied, lower than the national rate. Wilmington is a city in North Carolina with a population of 118,578. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in North Carolina in the country, at #8 by population.
Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $63,900, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 8.9%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $350,300, with typical rent around $1,311.
About 45.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, above the 35.0% national figure. About 17.7% of workers primarily work from home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 19 minutes each way.
Wilmington city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Wilmington city had a population of 106,754 in 2010 and 125,284 in 2024, a 17.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 125,284 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.17%.
125,284
Population (2024)
106,754
Population (2010)
125,284
Peak (2024)
1.17%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 106,754 |
| 2011 | 108,141 |
| 2012 | 109,658 |
| 2013 | 111,686 |
| 2014 | 113,320 |
| 2015 | 115,050 |
| 2016 | 118,770 |
| 2017 | 120,836 |
| 2018 | 122,616 |
| 2019 | 123,744 |
| 2020 | 115,887 |
| 2021 | 117,969 |
| 2022 | 121,353 |
| 2023 | 123,599 |
| 2024 | 125,284 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 72.9% |
| Black or African American | 14.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$63,900
Median Household Income
$46,062
Per Capita Income
8.9%
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$350,300
Median Home Value
$1,311
Median Rent
46.8%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.5%
High School+
45.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.4%
Drive Alone
70.9%
Public Transit
17.7%
Work From Home
18.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
44.4%
Foreign Born
90.6%
Non-English at Home
5.8%
Veterans
12.9%
With Disability
88.4%
Health Insurance
95.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 22.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 16.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 13.3% |
| Construction | 7.2% |
| Information | 6.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.3% |
| Manufacturing | 5.3% |
| Retail Trade | 3.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 3.1% |
| Public Administration | 2.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.6% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Wilmington, North Carolina has a population of 118,578 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 8th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Wilmington, North Carolina is $63,900, with 8.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Wilmington, North Carolina is $350,300, with median monthly rent at $1,311 and a homeownership rate of 46.8%.
The median age in Wilmington, North Carolina is 37.5 years. The population is 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
The population has grown 17.4% since 2010 (106,754 → 125,284).
Where to stay in Wilmington
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More from North Carolina
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Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.