Wilmington
is a city located in New Hanover County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 75,838. It is the county seat of New Hanover CountyGR6
. It was named in honor of Spencer Compton, the Earl of Wilmington, who was Prime Minister under George II.
Wilmington was settled on the Cape Fear River. Wilmington offers its historic downtown as a main tourist attraction and business center and is minutes away from nearby beaches. The city residents have the advantage of living nestled between a river and the ocean.
Wilmington is also known as the childhood home of basketball great Michael Jordan and journalist David Brinkley; famous Wilmington natives include Sugar Ray Leonard, Charles Kuralt, Charlie Daniels, Roman Gabriel and Meadowlark Lemon. It is also home to the WWII Battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55). Now a war memorial, the ship is open to public tours and is on display across from the downtown port area. The town is home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the Wilmington Hammerheads USL soccer team, and the Cape Fear Museum. The city has become a major center of American film and television production; motion pictures such as The Crow and Blue Velvet as well as television shows such as Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill were/are produced there.
Historic Wilmington & NC's Cape Fear Coast encompasses the city of Wilmington
and the island communities of Carolina Beach
, Kure Beach
and Wrightsville Beach
. Its beautiful, uncrowded beaches and nearby estuarine reserves provide a true haven for sunseekers, beachcombers and nature lovers, and a sportsman's paradise for anglers, mariners and watersports enthusiasts.
Wilmington
s picturesque riverfront emerges from the Cape Fear River . Gracing its banks is one of the state s largest historic districts, numbering approximately 230 blocks. See the historic district's mansions and landmark buildings via horse-drawn trolley or carriage tour, riverboat cruise, restored trolley car, or take a walking tour given by some of the port city's most intriguing residents. Across the river on Eagles Island rests the majestic Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, a restored World War II memorial. There are also other museums for children, fine art lovers, railroad and history buffs, including North Carolina 's oldest history museum.
Home to Carolina Beach
and Kure Beach
, Pleasure Island embodies coastal Americana. Its gazebo, Boardwalk, piers, marinas and amusement park add to its nostalgic appeal. When it s time for revelry, there are party cruises, deep sea fishing excursions, shopping and attractions galore, including a state park where you can wind your way through nature trails in search of the rare indigenous Venus Flytrap
. Step back in time at a Civil War battlefield and museum, or while away hours at the Aquarium s state-of-the-art ocean and Cape Fear River habitats.
North of Pleasure Island is Wrightsville Beach
, where island life is distinguished by its village charm and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride or take a harbor cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway. Visit the island's history museum or spend the day shopping or playing tennis at the park or volleyball on the beach. From sea turtle-watches to exciting watersports, there's something for those seeking a quiet respite or a more active pace.
History
Although there had been attempts to settle the Cape Fear region in the 1600s, the first permanent English settlers established themselves in the area in the 1720s. The town of Wilmington was incorporated in 1739. A number of the first settlers of the region came from South Carolina and Barbados. Slavery came early to the region, as landowners used slave labor to exploit the region's natural resources. The forest provided the region's major industries through the 18th and most of the 19th century: naval stores and lumbered fueled the economy both before and after the American Revolution. During the Civil War the port was a major base for Confederate blockade runners. It was captured by Union forces only in February of 1865, approximately one month after the fall of Ft. Fisher had closed the port. Since almost all the action was some distance from the city itself, a number of Antebellum homes and other buildings are still extant.
In November 1898 Wilmington was the scene of a violent attack by a well-organized group of whites who burned an African American printing press, and then went to the north side of town where a number of Blacks were killed and many were run out of town. At the same time, the Republican mayor and city council were forced to resign, leading many to characterize what happened in Wilmington as a coup d' t. Events in Wilmington which was the largest city in the state at the time helped make North Carolina into a Democratic Party-controlled state. They also helped institute Jim Crow and disenfranchisement.
As of the censusGR2
of 2000, there were 75,838 people, 34,359 households, and 17,351 families residing in the city; according to census bureau estimates, the 2004 population is 93,292. The population density was 714.2/km (1,849.8/mi ). There were 38,678 housing units at an average density of 364.2/km (943.4/mi ). The racial makeup of the city was 70.57% White, 25.82% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 2.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 34,359 households out of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.5% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.4% under the age of 18, 17.2% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.
Sister cities
Wilmington is a sister city with the following cities:
Although there had been attempts to settle the Cape Fear region in the 1600s, the first permanent English settlers established themselves in the area in the 1720s. The town of Wilmington was incorporated in 1739. A number of the first settlers of the region came from South Carolina and Barbados. Slavery came early to the region, as landowners used slave labor to exploit the region's natural resources. The forest provided the region's major industries through the 18th and most of the 19th century: naval stores and lumbered fueled the economy both before and after the American Revolution. During the Civil War the port was a major base for Confederate blockade runners. It was captured by Union forces only in February of 1865, approximately one month after the fall of Ft. Fisher had closed the port. Since almost all the action was some distance from the city itself, a number of Antebellum homes and other buildings are still extant.
In November 1898 Wilmington was the scene of a violent attack by a well-organized group of whites who burned an African American printing press, and then went to the north side of town where a number of Blacks were killed and many were run out of town. At the same time, the Republican mayor and city council were forced to resign, leading many to characterize what happened in Wilmington as a coup d' t. Events in Wilmington which was the largest city in the state at the time helped make North Carolina into a Democratic Party-controlled state. They also helped institute Jim Crow and disenfranchisement.
