County · North Carolina
New Hanover County, North Carolina
New Hanover County, North Carolina. New Hanover County had 245,959 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.0% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 18 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 14 census-designated) and 55 census tracts. GEOID 37129.
New Hanover County is one of the 3 counties of the Wilmington, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
245,959
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 225,702 · ACS 2020-2024: 235,229
Median household income
$75,166
±$2,054 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$387,800
±$7,095 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,417
±$32 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in New Hanover County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 225,702 residents in New Hanover County. The Census Bureau estimates 245,959 for July 1, 2025, up 9.0% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 235,229 over 192 square miles of land.
| Measure | New Hanover County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 235,229 | 10,730,404 | +7,291 |
| Households | 104,856±1,084 | 4,282,345 | +9,218 |
| Average household size | 2.19±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 120,050±78 | 4,895,668 | +9,019 |
New Hanover County's population since 2000
From 160,307 in 2000 to 245,959 in 2025: up 53.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County holds 18 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 14 census-designated places. The largest is Wilmington with 126,809 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wilmington | 115,451 | $66,738 |
|---|---|---|
| Murraysville | 16,582 | $81,167 |
| Myrtle Grove | 11,476 | $113,463 |
| Kings Grant | 8,466 | $62,232 |
| Ogden | 8,200 | $121,338 |
| Porters Neck | 7,397 | $119,979 |
| Carolina Beach | 6,564 | $94,398 |
| Silver Lake | 6,500 | $76,756 |
| Wrightsboro | 5,526 | $78,450 |
| Northchase | 3,842 | $59,375 |
| Bayshore | 3,833 | $94,632 |
| Skippers Corner | 2,912 | $72,297 |
| Wrightsville Beach | 2,473 | $151,563 |
| Sea Breeze | 2,245 | $69,942 |
| Kure Beach | 2,191 | $104,149 |
| Castle HayneGEOID 3710880 | 1,243 | $53,056 |
| HightsvilleGEOID 3731490 | 710 | $31,402 |
| Blue Clay FarmsGEOID 3706510 | 168 | $118,875 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in New Hanover County?
The median resident of New Hanover County is 39.9 years old; 17.9% are under 18 and 19.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 74.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 10.7%. 5.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | New Hanover County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9±0.4 | 39.1 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 17.9%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.0%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.9% | 11.3% | +2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 74.7%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | −2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.7%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | −2.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.9%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.1%±0.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±0.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 12.1%±0.6 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.6%±0.9 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.0%±0.5 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 45.4%±1.2 pts | 35.7% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.0%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in New Hanover County earn?
Half of New Hanover County's 104,856 households earn less than $75,166 a year (±$2,054), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $67,554 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,612 after inflation. 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | New Hanover County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,166±$2,054 | $72,388 | +$7,612 |
| Mean household income | $107,828±$3,191 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $48,592±$1,336 | $41,385 | +$6,394 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.3%±1.0 pts | 13.0% | −3.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.9%±2.4 pts | 17.7% | −4.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.2%±0.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.3%±0.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in New Hanover County?
Owners occupy 61.4% of New Hanover County's occupied homes and renters 38.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $387,800 by its owner (±$7,095). The median renter pays $1,417 a month including utilities, and 46.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | New Hanover County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $387,800±$7,095 | $288,900 | +$88,003 |
| Median gross rent | $1,417±$32 | $1,228 | +$148 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.7%±2.6 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,888±$50 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.4%±1.2 pts | 66.6% | +3.3 pts |
| Housing units | 120,050±78 | 4,895,668 | +9,019 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4%±1.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.1%±1.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.7%±0.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.9%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.4%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is New Hanover County building?
Builders took permits for 2,332 new housing units across New Hanover County in 2025 (1,208 single-family), 9.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in New Hanover County get to work?
70.8% of New Hanover County's workers drive alone and 19.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | New Hanover County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.7%±0.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.8%±1.4 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.1%±0.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.4%±1.1 pts | 16.3% | +11.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.6 min±0.6 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are New Hanover County's census tracts?
New Hanover County is divided into 55 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,111 (Tract 110) to $198,636 (Tract 120.12).
All 55 census tracts of New Hanover County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does New Hanover County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 100 |
| Median household income | 17th of 100 |
| Median home value | 9th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 6th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 70th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 100 |
| Median age | 73rd of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for New Hanover County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.