Southport, North Carolina offers historic charm and a unique maritime ambience. Located at the very mouth of NC’s mighty Cape Fear River, Southport, NC has attracted sailors since 1524, when early French and Spanish explorers landed on its shores. Captured here in the early 1700’s was Major Stede Bonnet, known as the Gentleman Pirate, after the infamous Blackbeard taught him the art of piracy.

Southport, NC incorporated in 1792 as Smithville, and then changed the town name to Southport in 1887, with hopes that North Carolina would build an actual port there. NC leaders chose Wilmington instead. In 2005, however, plans began forming to build the North Carolina International Port here. This deepwater port will be able to accommodate every type of ocean-going vessel, and will expand the United States’ trade with China. Originally, the projected completion of the port was 2015, but in 2007, there has been a delay, pushing the completion date to 2018. The port will eventually bring countless jobs to the region.

Southport, NC reported a population of 2,351 during the Census 2000. Estimates made in 2006 were 2,883. These figures reflect year-round residents only. Southport’s population swells each spring, as days grow warmer, and part-time “summer residents” come back. Southport’s average temperature in December and January hovers around 45 degrees, and a pleasant 80 degrees in the height of summer.

The fishing industry and summer restaurants were traditional businesses for Southport residents but modern times have seen an upsurge in other industries as well. Tourism plays a strong part in Southport’s economy. The St. James Plantation, a newly constructed gated community, offers 81 holes of golf between its various courses, including the Reserve Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus. The Southport Marina no longer caters only to anglers, but also has kayak, bike, and canoe rental agencies, a full-service dry cleaner and laundromat, and a floating ship’s store. Strategically located at the entrance to the Cape Fear River on the lovely Intracoastal Waterway, Southport marina is the largest of its kind in North Carolina. The River Pilot’s Tower offers pilot services to ocean-going vessels traversing Cape Fear.

The Southport-Oak Island Area includes the southeast corner of NC’s Brunswick Islands. This region encompasses the towns of Caswell Beach, Oak Island, which contains Long Beach and Yaupon Beach, and the village of Bald Head, NC. The city of Southport, NC is the largest municipality and serves as the cultural and economic hub. The Southport-Oak Island Area offers 28 miles of pristine beaches, waterfront property of all sorts, quiet marshland, lakeside homes in fast-growing Boiling Springs Lakes, and a wealth of historical sites to visit, along with easy-to-reach lighthouses.

The Southport Trail winds through the city, providing an hour-long walk under centuries-old live oak trees, through graveyards, past rambling mansions and fine churches. History comes to life during the Southport Heritage Days, but is always available at the Old Jail and the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Southport’s 175-acre tract, the Ev Henwood Nature Preserve offers self-guided learning trails, meandering through NC marshland and hardwood forests.

Southport, North Carolina, lying only 22 miles south of Wilmington's bright lights, provides unique small-town maritime lifestyles, with all the advantages of having the big city nearby. Southport students find 3 colleges within 40 miles, including UNCW. With the NC International Port in its future, Southport looks forward to much growth.

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