Wilmington Population

1800–2026

129.18K

2026 projection

11.9% since 2020 (increase)

020K40K60K80K100K120K140K18001850190019502000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.

Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.

Population by year

Population estimates for Wilmington. Annual change is shown as a percentage. Growth is the total change since the preceding observation.
2026129,181+2,3721.87%
2025126,809+1,3711.09%
2024125,438+1,8311.48%
2023123,607+2,2071.82%
2022121,400+3,3742.86%
2021118,026+2,5752.23%
2020115,451+3160.27%
2019115,135-1700.15%
2018115,305+9630.84%
2017114,342+1,1711.03%

Showing 10 of 37 years.

The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.

Growth since 2020, compared

Wilmington is growing faster than New Hanover County, North Carolina, and the U.S.

  • Wilmington+9.4%
  • New Hanover County+8.6%
  • North Carolina+7.2%
  • United States+3.1%

Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.

Wilmington Demographics

37.1median age

Median age

Female38.4 yrs
Male36.2 yrs

Adults

100,962
22,030 seniors (65+) · 22% of adults78,932 other adults

Sex

Female 53.4% · 64,489Male 46.6% · 56,316

Population by age

MaleFemale85+ years, male: 1,04085+ years, female: 1,76780–84 years, male: 1,02480–84 years, female: 1,65175–79 years, male: 1,69475–79 years, female: 2,30370–74 years, male: 2,48070–74 years, female: 3,03565–69 years, male: 3,09465–69 years, female: 3,94260–64 years, male: 3,32360–64 years, female: 4,12355–59 years, male: 3,15455–59 years, female: 3,94850–54 years, male: 3,21250–54 years, female: 3,15945–49 years, male: 3,37945–49 years, female: 3,23840–44 years, male: 2,62340–44 years, female: 3,57435–39 years, male: 4,06035–39 years, female: 4,08030–34 years, male: 4,00830–34 years, female: 4,09425–29 years, male: 4,61325–29 years, female: 5,01520–24 years, male: 6,47920–24 years, female: 7,73915–19 years, male: 3,71215–19 years, female: 5,04410–14 years, male: 3,12710–14 years, female: 3,0245–9 years, male: 2,4265–9 years, female: 2,7190–4 years, male: 2,8680–4 years, female: 2,03485+80–8475–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–42K2K4K4K6K6K

Hover or tap an age group to see exact counts. Use the up and down arrow keys to inspect age groups.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101

Race and ethnicity

Tap a square or a group below to highlight it.

Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 1,208 people).

Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002

Wilmington Income

$66,738median household income

Median household income

$66,738

Half of households earn more, half earn less

Median earnings

$49,458

Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.

Poverty rate

16%

About 1 in 6 residents

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Tables S1901, S1501, S1701

Wilmington Marital Status

37% of residents age 15 and older are married.

MarriedNever married
Overall
Male
Female
Marital status of residents age 15 and older
StatusOverallMaleFemale
Married37%40%35%
Never married44%46%41%
Divorced12%9%14%
Widowed6%3%8%
Separated2%2%2%

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201

Sources

14 sources

Population

American Community Survey, 2024 5-year

Additional sources