New Hanover County, North Carolina features several scenic waterfront communities along the pristine Cape Fear Coast.  New Hanover is named in honor of the members of the House of Hanover, a royal family in England.  This picturesque region, renowned as a popular tourist destination, abounds with cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages.

Claiming nearly 330 square miles of the NC coastline, New Hanover County includes five townships and several cities.  These include Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.  At the time of the 2000 Census the population in New Hanover County was 160,307; however, 2005 estimates indicated a population increase to nearly 180,000 citizens.  The majority of New Hanover County lies within the Wilmington Metro Area.

Carolina Beach, found on the charming Pleasure Island, is home to 4,701 residents.  This idyllic resort community affords the perfect setting for vacation, while a thriving business district and quiet neighborhoods provide an enviable quality of life for citizens.  Popular destinations on Carolina Beach include an amusement park, boardwalk, the pier and Carolina Beach State Park.  The park attracts anglers, boaters and campers, while nature enthusiasts enjoy unusual flora and fauna, such as the Venus Flytrap.  Carolina Beach also hosts community celebrations throughout the year, such as Beach Blast Music Festival and the Island of Lights Holiday Flotilla.

The southernmost point of Pleasure Island reveals the vibrant community of Kure Beach.  This modest coastal community, population 1,507, remains one of the more secluded areas of New Hanover County.  Kure Beach enjoys a strategic location along the Atlantic Ocean and features stunning views of local sites such as the mighty Cape Fear River and the beautiful estuarine on Zeke’s Island.  Popular local destinations include Fort Fisher, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, the North Carolina Aquarium and the Kure Beach Fishing Pier.  Pleasure Island’s Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festival lures tourists into the Kure Beach area annually.

 Wilmington, set against the scenic backdrop of the Atlantic coastline and Cape Fear River, is the seat of New Hanover County.   Wilmington, NC  serves as the commercial, cultural and educational center for the region.  Wilmington is home to Cape Fear Community College and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and provides residents with a pro-business atmosphere and thriving economy.  Tourism plays a primary role in Wilmington, where more than 45 attractions draw visitors to the area each year.  Popular sites of interest include Battleship North Carolina, Bellamy Mansion Museum and Gardens, Poplar Grove Plantation and the impressive 230-block historic downtown district.  This growing community, called home by nearly 100,000 residents (according to 2005 estimates), is also the site of the bustling Port of Wilmington.

Home to nearly 2,600 citizens, Wrightsville Beach reveals five-miles of white sandy beaches on a pristine barrier island along the Cape Fear Coast.  Residents celebrate with visitors throughout the year for events such as the Lumina Daze festival, Castles & Scoops Sand Sculpting Contest and the NC Holiday Flotilla.  Popular destinations include Johnnie Mercer’s Pier and the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.

New Hanover County, North Carolina offers its inhabitants a wide range of life styles from which to choose.  From quaint coastal village neighborhoods to luxurious beach resorts, New Hanover County has something for everyone.

<< Back to Our Community