Wilmington Population and Demographics

[DCMetroRaleigh]

According the US Census, the Wilmington MSA increased from 363,776 to 369,685 from July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011, an increase of 5,909 people or 1.6 percent. It had the 32nd highest growth rate, or 71st largest numerical increase. Wilmington is the 139th largest MSA in the nation.

[NcSc74]

Seems things have cooled a bit. I still find it interesting the size of the metro and the small size of New Hanover county.

[krazeeboi]

According to the newly released MSA/CSA configurations based on the last Census, Wilmington's MSA has taken as hit as Brunswick County has been snatched and added to Myrtle Beach's MSA. This leaves Wilmington with just New Hanover and Pender counties. According to the 2011 estimates, that puts the MSA population at 259,588--and Myrtle Beach's jumps from 276,340 to 386,437. 

 

This is interesting to me since Wilmington is more of a center of industry than Myrtle Beach, which is largely reliant on tourism. But this switch also points to an emerging coastal Carolina metro region, stretching from Wilmington to Georgetown.

[NCMike1981]

It seems like odd that Brunswick County is now in the Myrtle Beach MSA...most folks in Wilmington think of Brunswick County as suburban Wilmington.....but apparantely more residents in the county commute to Myrtle Beach? To work in the tourism industry?

Edited March 12, 2013 by NCMike1981

[krazeeboi]

It seems like odd that Brunswick County is now in the Myrtle Beach MSA...most folks in Wilmington think of Brunswick County as suburban Wilmington.....but apparantely more residents in the county commute to Myrtle Beach? To work in the tourism industry?

 

That's what it looks like. 

[wilmwbnative]

Seems things have cooled a bit. I still find it interesting the size of the metro and the small size of New Hanover county.

NHC is super dense. It's small, but the 2011 estimate puts the population at about 206,000. Plus Brunswick and Pender counties are large in size compared to NHC, and most people that live in them commute to Wilmington daily.

And I am still trying to figure out why they put Brunswick County in Myrtle Beach MSA. I've never heard anyone call Brunswick County suburban Myrtle Beach. Everyone knows it as Suburban Wilmington, and it is Suburban Wilmington. People don't commute to Myrtle Beach from Brunswick County for work, they commute to Wilmington. Wilmington is much bigger than Myrtle Beach. I think it was the other day though that I heard on the radio they are putting it back in Wilmington MSA, where it belongs, thank The Lord.

They need to make one CSA that combines both MSAs, that goes from Georgetown to Pender County. Whoever mentioned that, thank you. I would put thank you in all caps, but I'm pretty sure all caps is against the rules on here. I've been wanting that forever though.

[krazeeboi]

And I am still trying to figure out why they put Brunswick County in Myrtle Beach MSA. I've never heard anyone call Brunswick County suburban Myrtle Beach. Everyone knows it as Suburban Wilmington, and it is Suburban Wilmington. People don't commute to Myrtle Beach from Brunswick County for work, they commute to Wilmington. Wilmington is much bigger than Myrtle Beach. I think it was the other day though that I heard on the radio they are putting it back in Wilmington MSA, where it belongs, thank The Lord.

 

The municipality of Wilmington is bigger than the municipality of Myrtle Beach (due to SC's restrictive annexation laws), but in reality, both are about the same size, having similarly-sized urbanized areas between 215K-220K.

 

Counties are added to MSAs based on commuting patterns. Being that Brunswick County was taken from Wilmington and given to Myrtle Beach, you'd think more commuters from Brunswick head into Horry County for work, but that doesn't appear to be the case. This interactive map from the Washington Post shows that almost five times as many Brunswick County residents commute to New Hanover than Horry for work, so you have to wonder how that switch is justified. I'm guessing that Brunswick County will be re-added to Wilmington's MSA.

[KJHburg]

Wilmington job growth is a lot more than just tourism jobs and many of these are very high paying in health care etc. http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20161027/wilmington-region-sees-high-job-growth

[KJHburg]

Brunswick County is the fastest growing county in the state of NC yet it is apart of the Myrtle Beach metro area not Wilmington's.  

https://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20190419/welcome-to-boomtown-wilmington-region-continue-rapid-growth

[DeleteMe]

the Census Bureau is on crack.  Brunswick County is literally across a river from the City of Wilmington.  It's almost as absurd as separate Raleigh and Durham MSAs.  Since MSA's = recognition and status, it wouldn't surprise me if a Georgian was behind these decisions.  (Yep, I hate Georgia).

[KJHburg]

I agree I would believe there are more commuters going into New Hanover County than Brunsco residents heading to SC in Horry county.   Northern Brunswick county is full of subdivisions all feeding commuters into New Hanover. 

[rancenc]

Population growth equals new housing development such as this!!

https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/02/21/pinnacle-apartments-would-bring-96-new-units-to-northern-new-hanover-county/

 

[rancenc]

New tower opens at New Hanover Regional Medical Center to serve the growing metro population

http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/health_care/2020/06/29/nhrmcs_new_patient_tower_opens/20562

[rancenc]

The town of Leland is the fastest growing town in North Carolina.

https://www.wwaytv3.com/2020/07/13/census-bureau-leland-is-the-fastest-growing-town-in-nc/

[rancenc]

New housing that will bring more residents into Wilmington!

http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/latest_echo_farms_development_includes_single-family_homes_townhomes/2021/01/11/latest_echo_farms_development_includes_single-family_homes_townhomes/21346

[rancenc]

Great article on the Wilmington area!

https://hypepotamus.com/feature/whats-up-with-wilmington-nc-the-small-city-with-surprisingly-strong-startup-roots/

[rancenc]

Wilmington and surrounding counties are experience a large migration of new residents.

https://businessnc.com/wilmington-sees-influx-of-new-residents-as-working-remotely-increases-in-popularity/

[rancenc]

New residential development to accommodate Wilmington's population growth.

https://portcitydaily.com/new-hanover-county/2021/02/11/proposed-gordon-road-apartment-complex-in-hot-area-will-target-workforce-housing/

[Richhamleigh, DC]

On 1/19/2021 at 6:17 PM, rancenc said:

Great article on the Wilmington area!

https://hypepotamus.com/feature/whats-up-with-wilmington-nc-the-small-city-with-surprisingly-strong-startup-roots/

Not to mention...a resurgent tv/film industry?

When will Brunswick County be returned to the Wilmington Metro?  

[rancenc]

Great addition for Wilmington's growing population in terms of recreational choices!

http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/government/2021/05/05/ncino_sports_park_perks_include_boosting_economy_leaders_say/21799

[KJHburg]

Brunswick County needs to be part of the Wilmington MSA it is wrong not to include to puff up Myrtle's numbers.

http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/more_news/2021/05/24/area_officials_brunswick_county_connections_stronger_to_new_hanover_for_msa/21877

from the article:

""He also noted that population estimates indicate northern Brunswick County growing more quickly than the southern portion of the county.  The university, he said, is in support of Brunswick County returning to the Wilmington MSA.   

Lanier also noted the university's support in the proposed rules for increased emphasis on worker flow data, the ferry system being included in commuting patterns and housing density, as well as "proper consideration of connections between state institutions" such as those between Brunswick Community College and UNCW.""

while I think many in southern Brunswick county shop and dine out in Horry County working is another thing.  Most of the residents in southern Brunsco are of retirement age especially around Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle, Calabash etc.   The northern part of the county is full of neighborhoods with both retirees and young families and more working age people. 

Edited May 30, 2021 by KJHburg

[rancenc]

New apartment complex coming to Wilmington to house some of the new residents relocating into the city.

http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/real_estate_-_residential/2021/07/07/426_apartments_planned_on_43_acres_in_wilmington/22057?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BizFayetteville.com+Wednesday+Update

 

[rancenc]

Affordable housing development coming to Wilmington.

https://www.wwaytv3.com/plans-move-forward-for-affordable-housing-project-in-wilmington/

[rancenc]

How golf courses are being converted into residential development in the Wilmington area.

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/12/05/golf-north-carolina-development-wilmington/

[rancenc]

New townhouse community could be coming to fruition in the Wilmington area.

https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2022/12/11/233-unit-112-acre-development-on-dairy-farm-road-proposes-removing-more-than-1000-trees/