| City | Rank | 2026 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density (/mi²) | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 1 | 129,181 | 115,947 | 1.87% | 2,513 | 51 | City |
| Carolina Beach | 2 | 6,945 | 6,571 | 1.09% | 2,832 | 2 | Town |
| Wrightsville Beach | 3 | 2,383 | 2,468 | -0.58% | 1,708 | 1 | Town |
| Kure Beach | 4 | 2,137 | 2,182 | -0.37% | 2,428 | 1 | Town |
Wilmington is the largest city in New Hanover County, with a population of 129,181.
Kure Beach is the smallest city in New Hanover County, with a population of 2,137.
There are 4 cities in New Hanover County, North Carolina.