There was a time when Wilmington kept itself under wraps, like a prized secret nestled in the heart of the United States. It was our little hidden gem. When folks talked about charming southern cities, names like Savannah or Charleston immediately sprang to mind. And when it was beach towns they were after, Myrtle Beach and countless spots in Florida stole the spotlight. Heck, even among North Carolina cities, places like Charlotte, Raleigh, or even Asheville hogged all the limelight.
But oh boy, how times have changed!
Nowadays, Wilmington’s secret is out and about for everyone to see!
Just last month, the U.S. Census Bureau dropped some numbers that had jaws dropping all across the board. Turns out, our beloved Wilmington Metropolitan area is growing faster than a weed in springtime! Between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, our population shot up by a solid 2.8%, soaring from 454,390 to 467,337 folks. And get this, that growth spurt puts us at the ninth spot for the fastest-growing metro areas in the entire country! We’re like the little engine that could, chugging along and making waves.
And it’s not just Wilmington proper that’s booming; the whole shebang, including New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties, is feeling the love. Pender County saw a whopping 4.3% surge in population during that same period, while Brunswick County wasn’t far behind with a 4.6% increase. Looks like everybody’s catching on to the Wilmington magic!
Now, here’s a fun fact that’ll make you puff your chest with pride: out of the top 10 fastest-growing areas in the U.S., every single one of ’em is nestled right here in the good ol’ South. And guess what? Wilmington’s leading the charge, proudly holding its own as the northernmost gem on that list. Check it out:
- Wildwood-The Villages, Florida – 4.7% increase
- Lakeland, FL – 3.8% increase
- Myrtle Beach, SC – 3.7% increase
- Ocala, FL – 3.4% increase
- Port St. Lucie, FL – 3.1% increase
- Hinesville, GA – 2.9% increase
- Midland, TX – 2.9% increase
- Spartanburg, SC – 2.9% increase
- Wilmington, NC – 2.8% increase
- Daphne, AL – 2.8% increase
So there you have it, folks! Wilmington’s no longer just a hidden gem; it’s the diamond that’s shining brighter than ever before. And if you’re not already here, well, what are you waiting for? The door’s wide open, and we’ve got plenty of southern charm to spare!