Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina lies along the stunning Cape Fear Coast amid the island communities of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and the bustling City of Wilmington. Located in New Hanover County, Wrightsville Beach, NC consists of a four-mile long beach island, Harbor Island, and sections of commercial property on the mainland. The shoreline itself serves as the primary tourist attraction in the area, attracting a steady stream of visitors during the warmer months each year.

Wrightsville Beach is renowned for its upscale, family-oriented shoreline, where alcohol, bonfires, pets, and all types of vehicles are off limits. Situated in the middle of Wrightsville Beach, Johnny Mercer’s Pier remains a popular fishing destination in the area. After Hurricane Fran destroyed this beloved local landmark in 1996, the Pier received an upgrade from wood to heavy concrete. The community features several beachfront hotels, marinas, and stores. Wrightsville Beach, known as a haven for surfing enthusiasts, is home to world-renowned surfer Ben Bourgeois, whose father, Chuck, has a surf shop on the island.

Wrightsville Beach, NC experiences significant surges in population each summer; however, a large number of citizens call the beach home year round. At the time of the 2000 Census, this unassuming town reported a population of 2,593. Wrightsville Beach provides residents with an outstanding quality of life, where the climate remains pleasantly moderate, and the rate of crime ranks well below the NC average. In addition, many beautiful homes, apartments, and old-fashioned beach cottages await those looking for year round housing or summer vacation homes.

While the tourist industry provides the lifeblood of the local economy, residents have access to a wide range of business and career options in the surrounding areas. CeLLCo Partnership, General Electric Corporation, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington are among the top employers in New Hanover County. With close proximity to Interstate 40 and Wilmington International Airport, this business-friendly beach community ranks among NC’s most accessible.

Exciting recreational activities abound in this scenic oceanside setting. Wrightsville Beach, NC affords many opportunities for biking, boating, fishing, golfing, surfing, and tennis. Kayakers are welcome to use a five-mile trail that meanders through the island marshes, while boaters have intimate access to Masonboro Island, NC’s largest undisturbed barrier island. Located at the southern tip of Wrightsville Beach, this breathtaking barrier island’s inhabitants included shorebirds and endangered loggerhead sea turtles. Nature lovers also enjoy the Wrightsville Beach portion of the NC Birding Trail.

While one-of-a-kind boutiques and well-known retail establishments take care of one’s shopping needs, this lovely community also has numerous restaurants with cuisine for any palate. Wrightsville Beach, NC also has several venues for live music and dancing that add a cosmopolitan flair to the island atmosphere after dark.

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, despites its small size, provides all the culture and amenities of a larger community, without the fast-paced way of life. This disarming stretch of coastal paradise offers residents and visitors alike the perfect blend of serenity and sophistication.

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