Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington is a port city in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 as of the 2020 census, it is the eighth-most populous city in the state. As of 2023, the region had an estimated population of 467,337.

Wilmington's residential area lies between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, and the city developed as a commercial port in the colonial era. The city was founded in the 1730s, preceded in its foundation in the area by Brunswick Town and Charles Towne. These two towns were abandoned, leaving Wilmington as the main settlement on the Cape Fear River. After going through a series of different names (New Carthage, New London, Newton), its name became Wilmington. In 1739, Colonel William Bartram, the uncle of the naturalist, introduced a bill to establish Wilmington, named for one of his patrons, Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington. Toward the end of the 19th century, Wilmington was a majority-black, racially integrated, prosperous city – and the most populous in North Carolina. It suffered what became known as the Wilmington massacre in 1898, when white supremacists launched a coup that overthrew the legitimately elected local Fusionist government. It resulted in the expulsion of opposition black and white political leaders from the city, destruction of the property and businesses of black citizens, including the city's only black newspaper, and deaths ranging from an estimated 60 to more than 300 people. By 1910, Charlotte overtook Wilmington as North Carolina's most populous city.

Wilmington's downtown includes a riverwalk, developed as a tourist attraction in the late 20th century. In 2003, the city was designated by the U.S. Congress as a "Coast Guard City", one of 29 cities that currently bear that designation. It was formerly the home port for the , a United States Coast Guard medium-endurance cutter. Wilmington was declared the first World War II Heritage City in the country in 2020. The World War II battleship , now a war memorial, is moored across from the downtown port area, and is open to the public for tours. Other attractions include the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science and the Children's Museum of Wilmington.

The city is home to the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Wilmington is also the home of Cinespace Wilmington,

Cityscape

thumb|Wilmington theater and banking area

Wilmington boasts a large historic district encompassing nearly 300 blocks. Abandoned warehouses on downtown's northern end have been recently demolished making room for multimillion dollar projects, such as what was the world headquarters of Pharmaceutical Product Development and current tallest building in Wilmington at . (The building was then bought by Thermo Fisher Scientific. In 2023, it was bought by the City of Wilmington and renamed "Skyline Center". It is now the main building for city government operations.) Other completed projects include a state-of-the-art convention center, Live Oak Bank Pavilion, Pier 33 Apartments, and The Cove houseboat community in Port City Marina.

Downtown/Old Wilmington

{| class="wikitable"

! Downtown Monuments and Historic Buildings

| The George Davis Monument (removed)

| The Confederate Memorial (removed)

| The Bellamy Mansion

| Cotton Exchange of Wilmington

| The Temple of Israel

| The Murchison Building

Demographics

2020 census

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Wilmington, North Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition

!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)

!Pop 2000

!Pop 2010

!% 2000

!% 2010

|White alone (NH)

|52,639

|75,432

|style='background: #ffffe6; |79,791

|69.41%

|70.84%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |69.11%

|Black or African American alone (NH)

|19,423

|20,850

|style='background: #ffffe6; |18,828

|25.61%

|19.58%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |16.31%

|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

|242

|379

|style='background: #ffffe6; |317

|0.32%

|0.36%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.27%

|Asian alone (NH)

|677

|1,246

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,826

|0.89%

|1.17%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.58%

|Pacific Islander alone (NH)

|60

|61

|style='background: #ffffe6; |98

|0.08%

|0.06%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.08%

|Some Other Race alone (NH)

|108

|195

|style='background: #ffffe6; |554

|0.14%

|0.18%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.48%

|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)

|698

|1,826

|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,493

|0.92%

|1.71%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.89%

|Hispanic or Latino (any race)

|1,991

|6,487

|style='background: #ffffe6; |9,544

|2.63%

|6.09%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |8.27%

|Total

|75,838

|106,476

|style='background: #ffffe6; |115,451

|100.00%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 115,451 people, 54,673 households, and 27,131 families residing in the city.

thumb|Map of racial distribution in Wilmington, 2020 U.S. census. Each dot is one person:

2013 census estimate

At the 2013 census estimate, there were 112,067 people and 47,003 households in the city. The population density was and there were 53,400 housing units. The racial composition of the city was: 73.5% White, 19.9% Black or African American, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino American, 1.2% Asian American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

There were 34,359 households, out of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.5% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city, 18.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 17.2% was from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,099, and the median income for a family was $41,891. Males had a median income of $30,803 versus $23,423 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,503. About 13.3% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Crime

Wilmington has an increasing problem with gang violence, and on October 15, 2013, the WPD and NHC sheriff's department created a joint task force to combat gang violence. Just a day later the city council approved $142,000 in funding for a gang investigative unit.

Religion

thumb|250px|right|The Temple of Israel in downtown Wilmington

Approximately half of Wilmington's population is religiously affiliated (47.30%), with the majority of practitioners being Christian. The two largest Christian denominations in Wilmington are Protestant: Baptists (14.66%) and Methodists (8.29%), followed by Roman Catholics (7.42%). There are also a significant number of Presbyterians (3.19%), Episcopalians (2.30%), Pentecostals (1.45%), and Lutherans (1.32%). Other Christian denominations make up 7.02%, and the Latter-Day Saints have 0.90%. Much smaller is the proportion of residents who follow Islam (0.46%), and Judaism (0.25%). A small percentage of people practice Eastern religions (0.04%).

Wilmington has significant historical religious buildings, such as the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary and the Temple of Israel.

Economy

thumb|Port of Wilmington from the air

thumb|[[Cotton Exchange of Wilmington]]

Wilmington's industrial base includes electrical, medical, electronic and telecommunications equipment; clothing and apparel; food processing; paper products; nuclear fuel; and pharmaceuticals. Wilmington is part of North Carolina's Research coast, adjacent to the Research Triangle Park in Durham.

Also important to Wilmington's economy is tourism due to its close proximity to the ocean and vibrant nightlife. Retail areas include the Cotton Exchange of Wilmington and Independence Mall.

Located on the Cape Fear River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington is a sizable seaport, including private marine terminals and the North Carolina State Ports Authority's Port of Wilmington.

Wilmington is home to the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, the oldest Chamber in North Carolina, organized in 1853. Companies with their headquarters in Wilmington include Live Oak Bank and HomeInsurance.com.

Top employers

According to the city's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"

! #

! Employer

! Employees

| 1

|Novant Health

|8,581

| 2

|New Hanover County Schools

|3,702

| 3

|University of North Carolina Wilmington

|2,236

| 4

|New Hanover County

|1,982

| 5

|GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy

|1,888

| 6

|Thermo Fisher Scientific (PPD)

|1,800

| 7

|City of Wilmington

|1,116

| 8

|Cape Fear Community College

|1,083

| 9

|Corning

|1,000

| 10

|Wilmington Health

|1,000

Arts and culture

Performing arts

The city supports a very active calendar with its showcase theater, Thalian Hall, hosting about 250 events annually. The complex has been in continuous operation since it opened in 1858 and houses three performance venues, the Main Stage, the Grand Ballroom, and the Studio Theater.

The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 South Second Street in the Wilmington Historic District, is a multiuse facility owned by the City of Wilmington and managed by the Thalian Association, the Official Community Theater of North Carolina. Here, five studios are available to nonprofit organizations for theatrical performances, rehearsals, musicals, recitals and art classes. For more than half a century, the Hannah Block Historic USO Building has facilitated the coming together of generations, providing children with programs that challenge them creatively, and enhance the quality of life for residents throughout the region.

The Hannah Block Second Street Stage is home to the Thalian Association Children's Theater. It is one of the main attractions at the Hannah Block Community Arts Center. The theater seats 200 and is used as a performance venue by community theater groups and other entertainment productions.

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington College of Arts and Science departments of Theatre, Music and Art share a state-of-the-art, $34 million Cultural Arts Building, which opened in December 2006. The production area consists of a music recital hall, art gallery, and two theaters. Sponsored events include 4 theater productions a year.

The Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews is a 125-year-old building on the corner of North 4th Street and Campbell Street in downtown Wilmington. The Brooklyn Arts Center at Saint Andrews (BAC) is on the National Register of Historic Places. The BAC is used for weddings, concerts, fundraisers, art shows, vintage flea markets, and other community-driven events.

Wilmington is home to the Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts, a studio for foundlings. The Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts is the only studio in the region to offer Progressing Ballet Technique instruction from two certified instructors. The Conservatory is also host to Turning Pointe Dance Company, a faith-based dance company, which performs artistic pieces such as "Pinocchio" for the Wilmington Community.

Film and television series

thumb|EUE/Screen Gems Studios (now Cinespace Wilmington) in November 2022

thumb|Wilmington City Hall, with movie crews filming in July 2012

Wilmington is home to Cinespace Wilmington. The city's prominent place in cinema throughout the 1980s and 1990s earned the city the moniker "Hollywood East". Popular television series like Matlock (1986–1995), Dawson's Creek (1998–2003), One Tree Hill (2003–2012), Eastbound & Down (2009–2013), Sleepy Hollow (2013–2017), Under the Dome (2013–2015), Outer Banks (2020–present), and The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022–present) were partially or fully filmed at the studio complex and on location throughout the city. Movies partially or fully shot in or near Wilmington include Firestarter (1984), Blue Velvet (1986), Maximum Overdrive (1986), Weekend at Bernie's (1989), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), Super Mario Bros. (1993), Radioland Murders (1994), The Crow (1994), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), The Conjuring (2013), Iron Man 3 (2013), Safe Haven (2013), We're the Millers (2013), The Black Phone (2021), Halloween Kills (2021), and Scream (2022). Actor Brandon Lee was killed after an accidental shooting during the filming of The Crow.

Since 1995, Wilmington hosts an annual, nationally recognized, independent film festival called "Cucalorus". It is the keystone event of The Cucalorus Film Foundation, a non-profit organization. The Foundation also sponsors weekly screenings, several short documentary projects, and the annual Kids Festival, with hands on film-making workshops.

The Cape Fear Independent Film Network also hosts a film festival annually, and the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival also takes place yearly. For several years Wilmington was also the location of fan conventions for One Tree Hill, reuniting the cast and drawing tourists to the city.

In 2014, Governor Pat McCrory decided not to renew the film incentives, which ended up taking a massive toll on not just Wilmington's but North Carolina's entire film industry. As a result, most productions and film businesses moved to other cities, especially to Atlanta, Georgia. For the years following, were many attempts to bring the industry back to North Carolina via the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant. This grant designates $31 million per fiscal year (Jul 1 – Jun 30) in film incentives.

In the early 2020s, after the COVID-19 lockdowns and changes to state legislation, filming in the city began to increase again, with 2021 being the biggest year to date for both the city's film industry as well as the whole film industry at large in North Carolina.

In 2022, Dark Horse Studios—which became Wilmington's second film studio in 2020—planned a 20-million-dollar expansion to their studio complex in Wilmington, set to be complete in 2024.

On September 27, 2023, Cinespace Studios announced it had purchased the EUE/Screen Gems Studios location in Wilmington.

Literature

Birthplace of Johnson Jones Hooper (1815–1862), Author of the Simon Suggs Series.

Birthplace of Robert Ruark (1915–1965)

Now rare, an early edition of the Scottish poet Robert Burns's "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect" was printed by Bonsal and Niles of Market Street, Baltimore in 1804.

Music

Chamber Music Wilmington was founded in 1995 and presents its four-concert "Simply Classical" series every season. The concerts are performed by world-class chamber musicians and are held at UNCW's Beckwith Recital Hall.

The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra was established in 1971 and offers throughout the year a series of five classical performances, and a Free Family Concert.

One of the largest DIY festivals, the Wilmington Exchange Festival, occurs over a period of five days around Memorial Day each year.

Beginning in 1980, the North Carolina Jazz Festival is an annual three-day traditional jazz festival that features world-renowned jazz musicians.

The Cape Fear Blues Society is a driving force behind blues music in Wilmington. The organization manages, staffs and sponsors weekly Cape Fear Blues Jams and the annual Cape Fear Blues Challenge talent competition (winners travel to Memphis, Tennessee, for the International Blues Challenge). Its largest endeavor is the Cape Fear Blues Festival, an annual celebration that showcases local, regional and national touring blues artists performing at a variety of events and venues, including the Cape Fear Blues Cruise, Blues Workshops, an All-Day Blues Jam, and numerous live club shows. Membership in the CFBS is open to listeners and musicians alike.

Museums and historic sites

right|thumb|The [[USS North Carolina (BB-55)|USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial, seen from downtown Wilmington, across the Cape Fear River]]

right|thumb|The Railroad Museum is located behind the Hilton Hotel.

Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts
Cameron Art Museum
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
The Children's Museum of Wilmington
First Baptist Church, founded in 1808
First Presbyterian Church, historic Presbyterian church
Grace United Methodist Church, founded in 1797
Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center
Latimer House Museum and Gardens
St. James Episcopal Church, oldest church in Wilmington
St. Mary Catholic Church, historic Roman Catholic church in Wilmington
Sunset Park Historic District
Temple of Israel, oldest synagogue in North Carolina
USS North Carolina Memorial
Wilmington Railroad Museum

The Second and Orange Street USO Club was erected by the Army Corps of Engineers at a cost of $80,000. Along with an identical structure on Nixon Street for African-American servicemen, it opened in December 1941, the same month that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. From 1941 to 1945, the USO hosted 35,000 uniformed visitors a week. Recently renovated with sensitivity to its historic character, the Hannah Block Historic USO (HBHUSO) lobby serves as a museum where World War II memorabilia and other artifacts are displayed. The building itself was rededicated in Ms. Block's name in 2006 and restored to its 1943 wartime character in 2008. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition, an all volunteer 501(c)(3) preservation organization, is the de facto preservationist of the building's history and maintains the home front museum.

Festivals

Wilmington is host to many annual festivals, including, most notably, the Azalea Festival. The Azalea Festival, sponsored by the Cape Fear Garden Club, features a garden tour, historic home tour, garden party, musical performances, a parade, and a fireworks show. It takes places every year in April.

Sports

{| class="wikitable"

! scope="col" | Club

! scope="col" | League

! scope="col" | Venue

! scope="col" | Founded

! scope="col" | Titles

! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | Wilmington Sharks

| CPL, Baseball

| Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium

| 1997

| 2

! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | Wilmington Hammerheads

| USL, Soccer

| Legion Stadium

| 1996

| 1

! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | Wilmington Sea Dawgs

| TRBL, Basketball

| Wilmington YMCA

| 2006

| 0

The Wilmington Sharks are a Coastal Plain League (CPL) baseball team in Wilmington that was founded in 1997 and was among the charter organizations when the CPL was formed that same year. The roster is made up of top collegiate baseball players fine-tuning their skills using wood bats to prepare for professional baseball. Their stadium is located at Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium.

The Wilmington Sea Dawgs are a Tobacco Road Basketball League (TRBL) team that began its inaugural season with the American Basketball Association (ABA) in November 2006 and have also played in the Premier Basketball League, and the Continental Basketball League.

The Wilmington Hammerheads were a professional soccer team based in Wilmington. They were founded in 1996 and played in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division. Their stadium was Legion Stadium, however, UNCW Soccer Stadium for their 2017 season. After the 2009 season, the USL discontinued their relationship with the franchise owner Chuck Sullivan. The Hammerheads franchise returned in 2011, but was disbanded again in 2017. Currently, the organization only manages its youth team under the name Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington sponsors 19 intercollegiate sports and has held Division 1 membership in the NCAA since 1977. UNCW competes in the Colonial Athletic Association and has been a member since 1984.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is also home to the Seamen Ultimate Frisbee team. The team won the National Championship in 1993 and most recently qualified for the USA Ultimate College Nationals tournament in 2014

The Cape Fear Rugby Football Club is an amateur rugby club playing in USA Rugby South Division II. They were founded in 1974 and hosts the annual Cape Fear Sevens Tournament held over July 4 weekend; hosting teams from all over the world. They own their own rugby pitch located at 21st and Chestnut St.

Off and on, from 1900 to 2001, Wilmington has been home to a professional minor league baseball team. The Wilmington Pirates, a Cincinnati Reds farm team, were one of the top clubs in the Tobacco State League from 1946–50. Most recently the Wilmington Waves, a Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, played in the South Atlantic League. Former All Star catcher Jason Varitek played for Wilmington's Port City Roosters in 1995 and 1996. In 1914 the Philadelphia Phillies held spring training in Wilmington.

The beach near Wilmington, NC is home to the annual O’Neil/Sweetwater Pro-Am and Music Festival, the second-largest surfing contest on the East Coast.

Government

Wilmington adopted a council–manager form of government in 1941.

Education

thumb|Arches on the campus of the [[University of North Carolina Wilmington]]

Universities and colleges

University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Cape Fear Community College
Shaw University (satellite campus)
University of Mount Olive (satellite campus)
University of North Carolina at Pembroke (satellite campus)
Miller-Motte Technical College

Schools

Public schools in Wilmington are operated by the New Hanover County School System. Public high schools in the city include Emsley A. Laney High School, Eugene Ashley High School, Girls’ Leadership Academy (GLOW), Isaac Bear Early College High School, John T. Hoggard High School, Mosley Performance Learning Center, New Hanover High School, and Wilmington Early College High School.

Wilmington also has numerous private schools, including Cape Fear Academy, St. Mark Catholic School, and the Wilmington Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Media

Newspapers

The Star-News is Wilmington's daily newspaper; read widely throughout the Lower Cape Fear region and now owned by Gannett, following its merger with the Star's previous owner, GateHouse Media. A daily online newspaper, Port City Daily, is owned by Local Daily Media. Two historically black newspapers are distributed and published weekly: The Wilmington Journal and The Challenger Newspapers. Encore Magazine is a weekly arts and entertainment publication.

Broadcast radio

AM

630 AM WMFD – Sports ("ESPN Radio, AM 630")
1340 AM WLSG – Regional Mexican ("La Raza 94.1")

FM

89.7 FM WDVV – Worship & Praise Music ("The Dove, 89.7")
90.5 FM WWIL-FM – Christian Music ("Life 90.5")
91.3 FM WHQR – Public Radio
93.1 FM WBPL-LP – Wilmington Catholic Radio
94.1 FM W231CL Regional Mexican ("La Raza 94.1") (WLSG translator)
95.5 FM W238AV – Contemporary Christian ("K-LOVE")
95.9 FM W240AS – Soft AC ("95.9 The Breeze") (WKXB translator)
97.3 FM WMNX – Hip Hop/R & B ("Coast 97.3")
100.5 FM W263BA – Contemporary Christian ("K-LOVE")
101.3 FM WWQQ-FM- Country ("Double Q, 101")
102.7 FM WGNI – Hot AC ("102.7 GNI")
104.5 FM WYHW – Christian Talk ("104.5")

Television

The Wilmington television market is ranked 130 in the United States, and is the smallest DMA in North Carolina. The broadcast stations are as follows:

WWAY, Channel 3, (ABC affiliate, with CBS on 3.2 and CW on 3.3): licensed to Wilmington, owned by Morris Multimedia
WECT, Channel 6, (NBC affiliate): licensed to Wilmington, owned by Gray Television
WILM-LD, Channel 10, (Independent station): licensed to Wilmington, owned by the Capitol Broadcasting Company
WSFX-TV, Channel 26, (Fox affiliate): licensed to Wilmington, owned by American Spirit Media and operated by Gray Television
WUNJ-TV, Channel 39, (PBS member station, part of the UNC-TV Network)

Cable news station News 14 Carolina also maintains its coastal bureau in Wilmington.

On September 8, 2008, at noon, WWAY, WECT, WSFX, WILM-LP and W51CW all turned off their analog signals, making Wilmington the first market in the nation to go digital-only as part of a test by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to iron out transition and reception concerns before the nationwide shutoff. Wilmington was chosen as the test market because the area's digital channel positions will remain unchanged after the transition. As the area's official conduit of emergency information, WUNJ did not participate in the early analog switchoff, and kept their analog signal on until the national digital switchover date of June 12, 2009. W47CK did not participate due to its low-power status; FCC rules currently exempt low-powered stations from the 2009 analog shutdown. WILM-LP and W51CW chose to participate, even though they are exempt as LPTV stations.

Despite Tropical Storm Hanna making landfall southwest of Wilmington two days before (September 6), the switchover continued as scheduled. The ceremony was marked by governmental and television representatives flipping a large switch (marked with the slogan "First in Flight, First in Digital") from analog to digital.

Transportation

thumb|Intersection of South College Road, South 17th Street, and Waltmoor Road from the air

Airport

Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is the main airport in the region for commercial air service. The airport serves over 1,800,000 travelers per year. It is also home to two fixed-base operators (FBO). The airport maintains a separate international terminal which houses a 24-hour U.S. Customs and Border Protection ramp for international flights (private or charter) wishing to land at ILM.

U.S. Routes

thumb|The [[Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (foreground) carries US 17 Business, US 76 and US 421 across the Cape Fear River]]

(future Hampstead Bypass)

North Carolina State Highways

(temporary highway designation for US 17 Byp.)

Alternative transportation options

thumb|Wilmington Multimodal Transportation Center at 520 North 3rd St.

Public transit in the area is provided by the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority, which operates fixed bus routes, shuttles, and a free downtown trolley under the brand name Wave Transit. A daily intercity bus service to Raleigh is provided by Greyhound Lines. Wilmington is also served by Amtrak Thruway bus connections to Wilson, North Carolina where connections can be made with Amtrak's Carolinian and Palmetto. The city's Union Station last had passenger train service in 1968 with the Seaboard Coast Line's predecessor version of the Palmetto. The Seaboard Air Line's station last had service in 1958, with a daily train to Charlotte via Hamlet.

The NCDOT Cape Fear Run bicycle route connects Apex to Wilmington and closely parallels the RUSA 600 km brevet route.

The city of Wilmington offers transient docking facilities in the center of downtown Wilmington along the Cape Fear River approximately from the Intracoastal Waterway. The river depth in the run up from the ICW is in excess of . Taxicab services are available from several vendors, however, the City's Taxi Commission keeps meter rates artificially low. In 2021, regulations were eased to help the taxi industry compete with other companies like Uber and Lyft.

The Gary Shell Cross-City Trail is primarily a multi-use trail that provides bicycle and pedestrian access to numerous recreational, cultural and educational destinations in Wilmington. The Gary Shell Cross-City Trail provides bicycle and pedestrian connection from Wade Park, Halyburton Park and Empie Park to the Heide-Trask Drawbridge at the Intracoastal Waterway. It also connects to the River to Sea Bikeway and the under-construction Central College Trail and Greenville Loop Trail.

Healthcare

New Hanover Regional Medical Center is a hospital in Wilmington. It was established in 1967 as a public hospital, and it was the first hospital in the city to admit patients of all races. It was operated by New Hanover County. In February 2021 Novant Health, a nonprofit private organization, acquired the hospital.

Notable people

Art and literature

Jock Brandis, author, co-founder of the Full Belly Project
Wiley Cash, author
Mark Cox, poet
Minnie Evans, folk artist
Barbara Guest, poet and prose stylist
JG Faherty, author of dark fiction, horror, thrillers, and science fiction
Tini Howard, comic book writer
Will Inman, poet
Sharyn McCrumb, author
Thomas McKeller, model
Peggy Payne, writer, journalist, and consultant to writers
Celia Rivenbark, humor columnist and author
Robert Ruark, author, syndicated columnist, and big game hunter
Emily McGary Selinger, painter, writer, poet, and educator
Betsy Thornton, author

Government and politics

Joseph Carter Abbott, colonel in Union Army during American Civil War, Republican state senator representing North Carolina from 1868–1871
John Dillard Bellamy, congressman
Timothy Bloodworth, teacher and statesmen, elected to the 1st United States Congress
Jeanne Milliken Bonds, mayor of Knightdale, North Carolina
Deb Butler, representative for North Carolina's 18th House district
John Cox, member of the Virginia House of Delegates
George Davis, politician and lawyer
Lucien C. Gause, lawyer and politician representing Arkansas
Eustace Edward Green was a state legislator and educator in the North Carolina and a doctor in Georgia
Susi Hamilton, Democratic representative for North Carolina's 18th House district
Lethia Sherman Hankins, African American woman city council member
Cornelius Harnett, merchant, farmer, and statesman, delegate for North Carolina in the Continental Congress
William Hooper, delegate for North Carolina in the Continental Congress, signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, deputy attorney general of North Carolina, and federal judge
John Peter LaFrenz, politician representing New York
Charles A. McClenahan, member of the Maryland House of Delegates for district 38
Daniel F. McComas, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, served as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, representing New Hanover County in the 13th and 19th House districts
Harry Payne, state representative and North Carolina Commissioner of Labor
Duncan K. McRae, attorney, diplomat, and state legislator
Samuel D. Purviance, represented North Carolina in the United States House of Representatives
David Rouzer, U.S. representative, former North Carolina state senator
Bill Saffo, longest serving mayor in Wilmington's history
John Sampson, politician before and after the American Colonial era
John Patterson Sampson, American abolitionist, newspaper publisher, writer, lawyer, judge, and minister
Carson Smith, Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for the 16th district, previously served as sheriff to Pender County, North Carolina
Charles Manly Stedman, politician and lawyer
William Francis Strudwick, early U.S. congressman between serving 1796 and 1797
James Thorington, lawyer, judge, and one term U.S. representative for Iowa's 2nd congressional district
Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump and Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee.
Alfred Moore Waddell, lawyer, politician, and publisher
Garland H. White, preacher and politician who served as chaplain for the 28th United States Colored Infantry Regiment
Woodrow Wilson, 28th president of the United States

Media and entertainment

Barnacle Boi, electronic music producer, vocalist, and visual artist
David Brinkley, television newscaster for NBC and ABC
Cliff Cash, stand-up comedian
Charlie Daniels, country music legend, inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Sammy Davis Sr., dancer and father of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.
Maddie Hasson, actress, best known for her role as Willa Monday on the short lived Fox television series The Finder
Johnson J. Hooper, 19th century humorist
Caterina Jarboro, first black opera singer ever to sing on an opera stage in America. In 1999, she was inducted into the Wilmington Walk of Fame.
Charles Kuralt, award-winning journalist
Jane McNeill, stage, film, and television actress
Don Payne, writer and producer
Sha-Rock (Sharon Green), rapper and MC, considered the "first female rapper"
Willis Richardson, playwright
James Wall, stage manager and actor

Military

Edwin Anderson Jr., Medal of Honor recipient
Eugene Ashley Jr., Medal of Honor recipient
Arthur Bluethenthal, football player and World War I pilot
William D. Halyburton Jr., Medal of Honor recipient
Joseph McNeil, member of the Greensboro Four during Civil rights movement, and former major general in the U.S. Air Force
Charles P. Murray Jr., Medal of Honor recipient
Ilario Pantano, United States Marine
William Gordon Rutherfurd, commanded during the Battle of Trafalgar
Ted Sampley, Vietnam veteran and POW-MIA activist
John Steele, paratrooper; subject of the film The Longest Day
John Ancrum Winslow, officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican–American War and American Civil War

Sports

Kadeem Allen, basketball player in the NBA and currently for Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
Marvin Allen, UNC Chapel Hill soccer coach
Wright Anderson, Elon University football coach
Reggie Barnes, former pro-skateboarder and owner of Eastern Skateboard Supply
Connor Barth, NFL kicker
Nick Becton, NFL offensive tackle
Sam Bowens, MLB outfielder
Derek Brunson, UFC fighter
Jonathan Cooper, NFL offensive guard
Alge Crumpler, NFL tight end
Hoss Ellington, NASCAR driver
Roman Gabriel, former NFL quarterback and NFL Most Valuable Player winner
Kenny Gattison, former NBA player
Althea Gibson, professional tennis player, golfer, and member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame
Tyrell Godwin, MLB outfielder
Alex Highsmith, NFL linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Keever Jankovich, former NFL player
Sam Jones, former NBA player and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Kitwana Jones, former CFL defensive end
Michael Jordan, former NBA player and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Sonny Jurgensen, former NFL quarterback and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Clarence Kea, professional basketball player
Meadowlark Lemon, former Harlem Globetrotter and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Sugar Ray Leonard, professional boxer, Olympic gold medalist at 1976 Summer Olympics, member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
Quinton McCracken, MLB outfielder
Teana Miller, WNBA player
Rodney Moore, professional boxer
Ron Musselman, MLB pitcher
Trot Nixon, MLB outfielder
Jim Norton, NFL defensive lineman
Pat Ogrin, NFL defensive tackle
Sam Pellom, NBA player
Saniya Rivers, WNBA player
Jackie Rogers, NASCAR driver
Jay Ross, NFL nose guard
Robert Ruark, sportsman and syndicated writer
Sonny Siaki, professional wrestler
Charles Sinek, competitive ice dancer
Harvest Smith, professional basketball player
Willie Stargell, MLB outfielder and first baseman, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Ross Tomaselli, professional soccer player
Ty Walker, professional basketball player
Tamera "Ty" Young, WNBA player

Other notables

Julia Dalton, Miss North Carolina USA 2015
Kristen Dalton, Miss North Carolina USA 2009 & Miss USA 2009
John Walcott Kay, physician and hospital founder
Sarah Graham Kenan, philanthropist
Charles J. Mendelsohn, cryptographer and classicist
Samuel Mendelsohn, Lithuanian Jewish rabbi and scholar
Louis T. Moore, preservationist, author, historian, photographer, and civic promoter
Eliza Hall Nutt Parsley, founder of the North Carolina Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
Thomas Peters, early founder of Sierra Leone
Fred Pickler, actor, author, and photographer
Fr. Thomas Price, first native Catholic priest of North Carolina
James Francis Shober, first professionally trained Black physician in North Carolina
Robert Robinson Taylor, American architect
David Walker, Black abolitionist
Anna McNeill Whistler, mother of painter James McNeill Whistler
Amy Wright, CNN Hero of the Year 2017

Sister cities

Wilmington is a sister city with the following cities:

Dandong, Liaoning, China—1986
/ Doncaster, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom—1989