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{{Short description|Wilmington metropolitan area}}
{{For|the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metropolitan area|Delaware Valley}}
{{For|the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metropolitan area|Delaware Valley}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Wilmington Metropolitan Area
| official_name = Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area
| settlement_type = [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]
| image_skyline covh it = WilmingtonAerialViewCoastGuard.jpg
| image_alt =
| imagesize = 300px
| image_caption = Wilmington with [[Cape Fear Memorial Bridge]]<br>in foreground
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=240|zoom=7|frame-coord={{coord|34.6000|-77.7000}}
|type1=shape|id1=Q504329|title1=Brunswick County|stroke-color1=#00BCE4|stroke-width1=0.5|fill1=#00BCE4|fill-opacity1=0.4
|type2=shape|id2=Q508209|title2=New Hanover County|stroke-color2=#00BCE4|stroke-width2=0.5|fill2=#00BCE4|fill-opacity2=0.4
|type3=shape|id3=Q507826|title3=Pender County|stroke-color3=#00BCE4|stroke-width3=0.5|fill3=#00BCE4|fill-opacity3=0.4
|type4=shape|id4=Q659400|title4=City of Wilmington|stroke-color4=#0003FF|stroke-width4=0.5|fill4=#0003FF|fill-opacity4=0.4
}}
| map_alt = Map of Wilmington, N.C.
| map_caption = Interactive Map of Wilmington, NC [[Metropolitan Statistical Area|MSA]]
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
{{leftlegend|#0003FF|[[Wilmington, North Carolina|City of Wilmington]]}}
{{leftlegend|#00BCE4|Wilmington, NC [[Metropolitan Statistical Area|MSA]]}}
{{Col-end}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[File:Flag of United States.svg|border|23px]] [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[File:Flag of North Carolina.svg|border|23px]] [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2 = Largest city
| subdivision_name2 = [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]]
| subdivision_type3 = Other cities
| subdivision_name3 =
| unit_pref =
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_total_sq_mi =
| area_land_km2 = 4957
| area_land_sq_mi =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_sq_mi =
| area_water_percent =
| area_urban_km2 =
| area_blank1_title =
| area_blank2_title =
| area_blank2_sq_mi =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 453722
| population_as_of = 2022
| population_metro =
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Total Gross Domestic Product for Wilmington, NC (MSA) |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP48900|work=[[Federal Reserve Economic Data]] |publisher=[[Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis]]}}</ref>
|demographics2_title1 = Total
|demographics2_info1 = $20.127 billion (2022)
| timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|EST]]
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type =
| area_code =
| iso_code =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}


'''Cape Fear''' is a [[Atlantic Coastal Plain|coastal plain]] and [[tidewater region|Tidewater]] region of [[North Carolina]] centered about the city of [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]].<ref name=historical>{{Cite web |url=http://www.latimerhouse.org/ |title=Lower Cape Fear Historical Society |access-date=2009-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813074228/http://www.latimerhouse.org/ |archive-date=2009-08-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The region takes its name from the adjacent [[Cape Fear (headland)|Cape Fear headland]], as does the [[Cape Fear River]] which flows through the region and empties into the [[Atlantic Ocean]] near the cape. Much of the region's populated areas are found along the Atlantic beaches and the [[Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway]], while the rural areas are dominated by farms and swampland like that of the [[Green Swamp (North Carolina)|Green Swamp]]. The general area can be also identified by the titles "Lower Cape Fear", "Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area", "Southeastern North Carolina", and "Azalea Coast". The latter name is derived from the [[North Carolina Azalea Festival]] held annually in Wilmington. Municipalities in the area belong to the [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Cape Fear Council of Governments]].
[[Image:Wilmington Metropolitan Area.png|thumb|right|250px|Location of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area in North Carolina before Brunswick County was switched to the Myrtle Beach Metro]]
[[Image:NC-CoG-RegionO.PNG|right|250px|thumb|Counties included in the Cape Fear Council of Governments.]]
'''Cape Fear''' is a [[Atlantic Coastal Plain|coastal plain]] and [[Tidewater (geographic term)|tidewater]] [[region]] of [[North Carolina]] centered about the city of [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]].<ref name=historical>[http://www.latimerhouse.org/ Lower Cape Fear Historical Society]</ref> The region takes its name from the adjacent [[Cape Fear (headland)|Cape Fear headland]], as does the [[Cape Fear River]] which flows through the region and empties into the [[Atlantic Ocean]] near the cape. Much of the region's populated areas are found along the Atlantic beaches and the [[Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway]] while the rural areas are dominated by farms and swampland like that of the [[Green Swamp (North Carolina)|Green Swamp]]. The general area can be also identified by the titles '''Lowest Cape Fear''', '''Wilmington Metropolitan Area''', '''Southeastern North Carolina''', and '''Azalea Coast'''. The latter name is derived from the [[North Carolina Azalea Festival]] held annually in Wilmington. Municipalities in the area belong to the Cape Fear Council of Governments.


The region is home to the Port of Wilmington, the busiest port in North Carolina, operated by the [[North Carolina State Ports Authority]]. It is also the location of [[Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point]], the largest ammunition port in the nation, and the [[U.S. Army|Army's]] primary east coast deep-water port. Plans are underway for the construction of the [[North Carolina International Port]] in the region on the west bank of the Cape Fear River as an expansion of the Port of Wilmington.
The region is home to the Port of Wilmington, the busiest port in North Carolina, operated by the [[North Carolina State Ports Authority]]. It is also the location of [[Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point]], the largest ammunition port in the nation, and the [[U.S. Army]]'s primary [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] deep-water port.


==Geography==
==Geography==
The Cape Fear region is situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. A large portion of the region is low-lying [[wetlands]], most notably the Green Swamp, which is one of the rare habitats of the [[Venus flytrap]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=GAMBLE |first=DOUGLAS |date=2019 |title=Wilmington, North Carolina and the Cape Fear Region |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26760890 |journal=Southeastern Geographer |volume=59 |issue=3 |pages=201–205 |jstor=26760890 |issn=0038-366X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Swamp Preserve |url=https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/green-swamp-preserve/ |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=The Nature Conservancy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Venus flytraps: Carnivorous plants only found around southeast N.C. |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/environment/2021/07/07/venus-flytraps--these-carnivorous-plants-are-only-found-around-southeast-n-c- |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com |language=en}}</ref> The Cape Fear River and the [[Northeast Cape Fear River]] are the deeper prominent rivers that flow through the region, with minor rivers like the [[Lockwood Folly River]], [[Brunswick River (North Carolina)|Brunswick River]], and [[Shallotte River]] providing access for small watercraft of small communities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our State Geography in a Snap: Bodies of Water {{!}} NCpedia |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/our-state-geography-snap-bodies#:~:text=Major%20rivers,,%20Yadkin%20Pee-Dee%20River. |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref>
{{Expand section|date=December 2008}}
The Cape Fear region is situated on the [[Atlantic Coastal Plain]]. A large portion of the region is low-lying [[wetlands]], most notably the [[Green Swamp (North Carolina)|Green Swamp]], which is one of the rare habitats of the [[Venus Flytrap]]. The [[Cape Fear River]] and the [[Northeast Cape Fear River]] are the deeper prominent rivers that flow through the region, with minor rivers like [[Lockwood Folly River]], [[Brunswick River (North Carolina)|Brunswick River]], and [[Shallotte River]] providing access for small watercraft of small communities.


==Counties==
==Counties==
Three counties form the core of the Cape Fear region: [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover]], formerly [[Brunswick County, North Carolina|Brunswick]] which has now become part of the [[Myrtle Beach metropolitan area]], and [[Pender County, North Carolina|Pender]]. These three counties are also included in the '''Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area''', which as of the [[United States Census, 2000|2000 census]], had a population of 274,532. A July 1, 2008 census estimate puts the population total at 347,012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2008/CBSA-EST2008-01.csv | title = Table 1. Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008 (CBSA-EST2008-01) | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2008 Population Estimates | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | date = 2009-03-19 | accessdate = 2009-03-21}}</ref> The coastal communities boast a large, seasonal tourism industry leading to much higher populations in the summer months and lower populations in the winter months.
Three counties form the core of the Cape Fear region: [[Brunswick County, North Carolina|Brunswick County]], [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover County]], and [[Pender County, North Carolina|Pender County]]. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the three counties was 440,353.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0500000US37019 | title = Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1: Brunswick County, North Carolina | work = American Factfinder | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | access-date = April 9, 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200213040908/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0500000US37019 | archive-date = February 13, 2020 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0500000US37129 | title = Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1: New Hanover County, North Carolina | work = American Factfinder | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | access-date = April 9, 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200213040617/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0500000US37129 | archive-date = February 13, 2020 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0500000US37141 | title = Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1: Pender County, North Carolina | work = American Factfinder | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | access-date = April 9, 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200213040631/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0500000US37141 | archive-date = February 13, 2020 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="2023OMB">{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2023 |title=OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf |archive-date= |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=[[United States Office of Management and Budget]]}}</ref> The coastal counties boast a large, seasonal tourism industry leading to much higher populations in the summer months and lower populations in the winter months.


Two additional counties, [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen County]] and [[Columbus County, North Carolina|Columbus]], are occasionally included as part of the Cape Fear region, as are [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin]], [[Onslow County, North Carolina|Onslow]], and [[Sampson County, North Carolina|Sampson]] counties, but to a lesser extent.
Two additional counties, [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]] and [[Columbus County, North Carolina|Columbus]], are occasionally included as part of the Cape Fear region. Some broader definitions also include [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin]], [[Onslow County, North Carolina|Onslow]], and [[Sampson County, North Carolina|Sampson]] counties.


==Communities==
==Communities==
Communities found in the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area:
These are communities found in the metropolitan statistical area.


===Cities===
===Cities===
*[[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]] (Principal city)
*[[Southport, North Carolina|Southport]]
*[[Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina|Boiling Spring Lakes]]
*[[Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina|Boiling Spring Lakes]]
*[[Northwest, North Carolina|Northwest]]
*[[Southport, North Carolina|Southport]]
*[[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]] (principal city)


===Towns===
===Towns===
{{Div col}}
{|
|----- valign="top"
|
*[[Atkinson, North Carolina|Atkinson]]
*[[Atkinson, North Carolina|Atkinson]]
*[[Belville, North Carolina|Belville]]
*[[Belville, North Carolina|Belville]]
*[[Bolivia, North Carolina|Bolivia]]
*[[Bolivia, North Carolina|Bolivia]]
*[[Burgaw, North Carolina|Burgaw]]
*[[Burgaw, North Carolina|Burgaw]]
*[[Calabash, North Carolina|Calabash]]
*[[Carolina Beach, North Carolina|Carolina Beach]]
*[[Carolina Beach, North Carolina|Carolina Beach]]
*[[Carolina Shores, North Carolina|Carolina Shores]]
*[[Carolina Shores, North Carolina|Carolina Shores]]
Line 45: Line 107:
*[[St. Helena, North Carolina|St. Helena]]
*[[St. Helena, North Carolina|St. Helena]]
*[[St. James, North Carolina|St. James]]
*[[St. James, North Carolina|St. James]]
*[[Sunset Beach, North Carolina|Sunset Beach]]
*[[Surf City, North Carolina|Surf City]] (partial)
*[[Surf City, North Carolina|Surf City]] (partial)
*[[Topsail Beach, North Carolina|Topsail Beach]]
*[[Topsail Beach, North Carolina|Topsail Beach]]
Line 51: Line 114:
*[[Watha, North Carolina|Watha]]
*[[Watha, North Carolina|Watha]]
*[[Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina|Wrightsville Beach]]
*[[Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina|Wrightsville Beach]]
{{Div col end}}
|}


====Former towns====
====Former towns====
Line 62: Line 125:


===Census-designated places===
===Census-designated places===
{{Div col}}
{|
|----- valign="top"
|
*[[Bayshore, North Carolina|Bayshore]]
*[[Bayshore, North Carolina|Bayshore]]
*[[Blue Clay Farms, North Carolina|Blue Clay Farms]]
*[[Castle Hayne, North Carolina|Castle Hayne]]
*[[Castle Hayne, North Carolina|Castle Hayne]]
*[[Hampstead, North Carolina|Hampstead]]
*[[Hightsville, North Carolina|Hightsville]]
*[[Hightsville, North Carolina|Hightsville]]
*[[Kings Grant, North Carolina|Kings Grant]]
*[[Kings Grant, North Carolina|Kings Grant]]
Line 72: Line 135:
*[[Masonboro, North Carolina|Masonboro]]
*[[Masonboro, North Carolina|Masonboro]]
*[[Murraysville, North Carolina|Murraysville]]
*[[Murraysville, North Carolina|Murraysville]]
|
*[[Myrtle Grove, North Carolina|Myrtle Grove]]
*[[Myrtle Grove, North Carolina|Myrtle Grove]]
*[[Northchase, North Carolina|Northchase]]
*[[Ogden, North Carolina|Ogden]]
*[[Ogden, North Carolina|Ogden]]
*[[Porters Neck, North Carolina|Porters Neck]]
*[[Rocky Point, North Carolina|Rocky Point]]
*[[Sea Breeze, North Carolina|Sea Breeze]]
*[[Sea Breeze, North Carolina|Sea Breeze]]
*[[Seagate, North Carolina|Seagate]]
*[[Seagate, North Carolina|Seagate]]
Line 80: Line 145:
*[[Skippers Corner, North Carolina|Skippers Corner]]
*[[Skippers Corner, North Carolina|Skippers Corner]]
*[[Wrightsboro, North Carolina|Wrightsboro]]
*[[Wrightsboro, North Carolina|Wrightsboro]]
{{Div col end}}
|}


===Unincorporated places===
===Unincorporated places===
{{Div col}}
{|
|----- valign="top"
|
*[[Ash, North Carolina|Ash]]
*[[Ash, North Carolina|Ash]]
*[[Charity, North Carolina|Charity]]
*[[Charity, North Carolina|Charity]]
*[[Currie, North Carolina|Currie]]
*[[Currie, North Carolina|Currie]]
*[[Figure Eight Island|Figure Eight]]
*[[Figure Eight Island|Figure Eight]]
*[[Hampstead, North Carolina|Hampstead]]
*[[Montague, North Carolina|Montague]]
*[[Montague, North Carolina|Montague]]
*[[Murphey, North Carolina|Murphey]]
*[[Murphey, North Carolina|Murphey]]
|
*[[Piney Grove, North Carolina|Piney Grove]]
*[[Piney Grove, North Carolina|Piney Grove]]
*[[Register, North Carolina|Register]]
*[[Register, North Carolina|Register]]
Line 100: Line 161:
*[[Winnabow, North Carolina|Winnabow]]
*[[Winnabow, North Carolina|Winnabow]]
*[[Yamacraw, North Carolina|Yamacraw]]
*[[Yamacraw, North Carolina|Yamacraw]]
{{Div col end}}
|}


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=American FactFinder}}</ref> of 2000, there were 274,532 people, 114,675 households, and 75,347 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 79.47% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 17.27% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.48% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.58% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.12% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.02% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.45% of the population.
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 274,532 people, 114,675 households, and 75,347 families residing within the metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The racial makeup of the MSA was 79.47% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 17.27% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.48% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.58% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.12% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.02% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.45% of the population.


The median income for a household in the MSA was $37,321, and the median income for a family was $44,844. Males had a median income of $32,454 versus $22,998 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the MSA was $20,287.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $37,321, and the median income for a family was $44,844. Males had a median income of $32,454 versus $22,998 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the MSA was $20,287.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[North Carolina census statistical areas]]
*[[North Carolina statistical areas]]
*[[Orton Plantation]]
*[[St. Philip's Church Ruins]]
*[[Cape Fear Museum]]
*[[Cape Fear Museum]]
*[[Cape Fear Regional Jetport]] (Howie Franklin Field) formerly known as Brunswick County Airport
*[[Orton Plantation]]
*[[St. Philip's Church, Brunswick Town]]


==References==
==References==
Line 120: Line 182:
*[http://www.capefearcog.org/ Cape Fear Council of Governments]
*[http://www.capefearcog.org/ Cape Fear Council of Governments]
*[http://wilmington.insiderinfo.us/ InsiderInfo Guide to Wilmington]
*[http://wilmington.insiderinfo.us/ InsiderInfo Guide to Wilmington]
*[http://Southport.insiderinfo.us/ InsiderInfo Guide to Southport]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110827162010/http://southport.insiderinfo.us/ InsiderInfo Guide to Southport]
*[http://wilmington.insiderinfo.us/ InsiderInfo Guide to Topsail]
*[http://wilmington.insiderinfo.us/ InsiderInfo Guide to Topsail]


{{North Carolina}}
{{coord|34.23|-77.97|region:US-NC|display=title}}
{{coord|34.23|-77.97|region:US-NC|display=title}}

{{North Carolina}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cape Fear (Region)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cape Fear (Region)}}
[[Category:Regions of North Carolina]]
[[Category:Cape Fear (region)| ]]
[[Category:Wilmington, North Carolina metropolitan area| ]]
[[Category:Geography of New Hanover County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Geography of Brunswick County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Geography of Brunswick County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Geography of New Hanover County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Geography of Pender County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Geography of Pender County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Regions of North Carolina]]
[[Category:Coastal plains]]

Latest revision as of 19:10, 20 November 2024

For the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metropolitan area, see Delaware Valley.
Wilmington Metropolitan Area
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area
Map
Interactive Map of Wilmington, NC MSA
Country United States
State North Carolina
Largest cityWilmington
Area
 • Land4,957 km2 (1,914 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total
453,722
GDP
[1]
 • Total$20.127 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)

Cape Fear is a coastal plain and Tidewater region of North Carolina centered about the city of Wilmington.[2] The region takes its name from the adjacent Cape Fear headland, as does the Cape Fear River which flows through the region and empties into the Atlantic Ocean near the cape. Much of the region's populated areas are found along the Atlantic beaches and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, while the rural areas are dominated by farms and swampland like that of the Green Swamp. The general area can be also identified by the titles "Lower Cape Fear", "Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area", "Southeastern North Carolina", and "Azalea Coast". The latter name is derived from the North Carolina Azalea Festival held annually in Wilmington. Municipalities in the area belong to the Cape Fear Council of Governments.

The region is home to the Port of Wilmington, the busiest port in North Carolina, operated by the North Carolina State Ports Authority. It is also the location of Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, the largest ammunition port in the nation, and the U.S. Army's primary East Coast deep-water port.

Geography

[edit]

The Cape Fear region is situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. A large portion of the region is low-lying wetlands, most notably the Green Swamp, which is one of the rare habitats of the Venus flytrap.[3][4][5] The Cape Fear River and the Northeast Cape Fear River are the deeper prominent rivers that flow through the region, with minor rivers like the Lockwood Folly River, Brunswick River, and Shallotte River providing access for small watercraft of small communities.[6]

Counties

[edit]

Three counties form the core of the Cape Fear region: Brunswick County, New Hanover County, and Pender County. At the 2020 census, the population of the three counties was 440,353.[7][8][9][10] The coastal counties boast a large, seasonal tourism industry leading to much higher populations in the summer months and lower populations in the winter months.

Two additional counties, Bladen and Columbus, are occasionally included as part of the Cape Fear region. Some broader definitions also include Duplin, Onslow, and Sampson counties.

Communities

[edit]

Communities found in the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area:

Cities

[edit]

Towns

[edit]

Former towns

[edit]

Villages

[edit]

Census-designated places

[edit]

Unincorporated places

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 274,532 people, 114,675 households, and 75,347 families residing within the metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The racial makeup of the MSA was 79.47% White, 17.27% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $37,321, and the median income for a family was $44,844. Males had a median income of $32,454 versus $22,998 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $20,287.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Total Gross Domestic Product for Wilmington, NC (MSA)". Federal Reserve Economic Data. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  2. ^ "Lower Cape Fear Historical Society". Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  3. ^ GAMBLE, DOUGLAS (2019). "Wilmington, North Carolina and the Cape Fear Region". Southeastern Geographer. 59 (3): 201–205. ISSN 0038-366X. JSTOR 26760890.
  4. ^ "Green Swamp Preserve". The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  5. ^ "Venus flytraps: Carnivorous plants only found around southeast N.C." spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  6. ^ "Our State Geography in a Snap: Bodies of Water | NCpedia". www.ncpedia.org. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  7. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1: Brunswick County, North Carolina". American Factfinder. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1: New Hanover County, North Carolina". American Factfinder. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  9. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1: Pender County, North Carolina". American Factfinder. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
[edit]

34°14′N 77°58′W / 34.23°N 77.97°W / 34.23; -77.97

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