Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County. The population was estimated at 100,000 as of 2006. The Census Bureau estimates the population of the Wilmington Metropolitan area at 326,166, making it the sixth largest metropolitan area in the state. It is named in honor of Spencer Compton, the Earl of Wilmington, who was Prime Minister under George II.





This charming port city is located in the southeastern corner of North Carolina between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. Named for its rough waters and foreboding shoals, the Cape Fear River was first explored by Verrazano in 1524. The first permanent settlement did not occur until 1725 with the creation of Brunswick Town across the river from where Wilmington is today. Wilmington was founded in 1739, and it became a thriving seaport and North Carolina's largest city by 1780.





During the Civil War, Wilmington was the Confederacy's most important port. Fort Fisher and the Cape Fear River were home to many blockade runners who brought materials in from England and the Caribbean islands. Built in 1861, Fort Fisher was the last fort to fall to the Union army.





After the war, cotton, rice, peanuts, lumber and naval stores helped Wilmington regain its trading force. A sizable African-American middle class developed, and Wilmington became soon home to the state's first African-American lawyer and African-American physician. In 1866 the town officially became a city. However, by 1910 Wilmington lost its identity as the state's largest city when inland cities grew due to the development of the tobacco and textile industries.





During World War I, a thriving shipbuilding industry developed and cotton exports peaked. The Great Depression of the 1930s hit Wilmington hard and once again the city declined. However, World War II brought a rebirth of local shipbuilding, and 243 ships were built. In 1945 the North Carolina Legislature created the State Port Authority, which enabled the transformation of the shipyards into a modern port facility. In 1947 Wilmington College was established, later becoming the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.





Over the years, much of Wilmington's growth was facilitated by a strong railroad industry, which eventually consolidated into the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, a major employer in the city. Unfortunately, in 1955 the Atlantic Coast Line closed their offices and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, dealing a severe blow to Wilmington. A major effort was undertaken to bring diversified industry to the area, and by 1966 Wilmington had begun to rebound and was designated an "All American City."





After a statewide campaign to save her from the scrap heap, the famous World War II battleship, North Carolina, was brought to the city in 1961 and berthed on the west side of the river across from downtown. Today the ship provides a magnificent backdrop for Wilmington's Riverfront area. During the 1970s, a strong revitalization effort began to reclaim the deteriorating downtown area, which, coupled with an intense preservation effort in the large historic district, resulted in a renewed and exciting central city.


The downtown revitalization effort did much to bring Wilmington into prominence. The successes of Chandler's Wharf Shops, The Cotton Exchange and The Coastline Convention Center encouraged other establishments to set up shop. Restaurants, clothing stores, art galleries and antiques shops soon lined the streets. The flourishing nightlife adds a trendy setting to Wilmington, and the streets in the downtown area are quite safe. Throngs of tourists and residents alike stroll about until late in the evening.





In the 1980s the city saw another upswing as major companies, such as Corning Inc. and General Electric moved in, encouraging other diverse companies, including Applied Analytical Industry and Takeda Chemical Products, to call Wilmington home. Pharmaceutical Product Development, now PPD, became a homegrown Wilmington success story. A major film studio grew here, currently known as Screen Gems Studios, and many movies have been made in the area, earning Wilmington the nickname Wilmywood.





Although not just a tourist town, Wilmington has become a popular destination because of its moderate, four-season climate, historic preservation district, annual events such as Riverfest and the Azalea Festival, and numerous championship golf courses. In addition, nearby Wrightsville Beach is a Mecca for surfers, sunbathers, beachcombers and seafood lovers. City residents have the advantage of living nestled between a river and the ocean.





The city is known as the childhood home of basketball great Michael Jordan and journalist David Brinkley. The city also boasts a regional visual and performing arts center, and a regional medical center.





Sports is a favorite pastime. The Wilmington Sea Dawgs are a Premier Basketball League team in Wilmington that began its inaugural season with the American Basketball Association in November 2006. The Wilmington Hammerheads are a professional soccer team based here as well. They were founded in 1996 and currently play in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division. Their stadium is the Legion Sports Complex. The Cape Fear Rugby Football Club is a professional rugby club playing in USA Rugby South Division II. They were founded in 1974 and hosts the annual Fear Sevens Tournament held over the 4th of July weekend; hosting teams from all over the world. They own their own rugby pitch located at 21st and Chestnut St.





The education available in Wilmington is top notch. The mission of New Hanover County Schools is to provide a high quality education that prepares all students to be productive and contributing citizens of a global society. Schools rank as superior. The students are competitive performers on national exams in reading and math and on the SAT. North Carolina remains a national leader in sending its graduates on to colleges and universities.





Every corner you turn reveals something unexpected: a WWII battleship, a thriving movie production studio, cobblestone streets with horse-drawn carriages, elegant restaurants, splendid gardens, unique crafts and shops, music festivals, theatrical performances, art galleries, history museums, and welcoming nightspots.





From riverboats to battleships, screen gems to civil war scenes, riverwalks to ghost walks, Wilmington is a city full of surprises and delights. Close by the Cape Fear Coast beach communities, Wilmington has a charm and style all its own, befitting an historic port city with roots that go back almost three centuries and the energy of a thriving destination.