Wilmington, NC Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Wilmington, NC: What You Need to Know

Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It has served as the backdrop for the TV series “Dawson’s Creek” and “One Tree Hill,” and hundreds of other productions, earning the nickname Hollywood East. 

Local Culture

Wilmington is known for its celebrated native sons, including basketball legend Michael Jordan, journalists David Brinkley and Charles Kuralt, and welterweight boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard. Wilmington’s ability to attract Hollywood productions add to its star power. More than 400 movies and TV series have been made in Wilmington and surrounding areas, including “Iron Man 3,” “The Conjuring,” “Swamp Thing,” “USS Christmas,” and “Tammy.”

Local History

Wilmington, settled in the early 1730s, was known as Watson, New Carthage, New Liverpool, and New Town at various points in history. Its final name was in honor of Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington. The only political coup d’état in the United States occurred in Wilmington on Nov. 10, 1898, when white supremacists violently overthrew the multiracial city government. The organized effort to disenfranchise Black citizens resulted in the massacre of 60 African Americans. 

Schools and Higher Education

There are two universities and one community college in Wilmington. The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is the biggest of the three, with 16,747 students. College-bound residents can also choose from 33 universities within 100 miles of the city. Wilmington, the seat of New Hanover County, has 42 public schools serving 25,100 students. Top-ranked schools include Ogden Elementary School, Walter L. Parsley Elementary School, and Codington Elementary School. 

Cost of Living

As a coastal city, Wilmington (population: 123,744) is a tad more expensive than other cities of comparable size. Its cost of living rate and food costs are 4.6% and 0.6% higher than the national average respectively. The good news is, housing cost is 4.3% lower than the national average. The median gross rent in Wilmington is $998. The Tar Heel State collects a flat rate of 5.25% in income tax. It levies 4.75% in statewide sales tax, although counties charge additional sales tax. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Residents rave about their city’s proximity to beautiful beaches and downtown attractions such as the Brooklyn Art District, the National Register Historic District, and the World War II Battleship North Carolina. A slight majority (56%) of city residents rent. Wilmington boasts of above-average public schools, but families that prefer the suburbs should check out nearby Ogden and Wrightsville Beach. Both are known for their excellent schools and safe environment.