The story of this market
The typical home in New Hanover County, North Carolina sells for about $522,205, or $265 per square foot.
Prices are up +1.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 64 days to sell, which is slow. Over the long run, values in this county have grown 181% since 2000. Last year 36 of 49 neighborhoods saw prices rise, so the story isn't the same street to street. The biggest natural hazard here is hurricane, which FEMA rates very high. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,705 a month.
HUD sets the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom at $1,705 a month. FEMA's National Risk Index rates overall hazard risk here as Relatively High.
Price climate
Every year of price change, 2000–2025
+1.5%
2025
Each stripe is one year's median price change across the area's census tracts (FHFA repeat-sales index). Deep blue is a strong gain year, red a falling year. Best: 2022 (+20.4%). Worst: 2010 (-9.4%). Hover to read a year.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+2.7%
NC · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Rent benchmark
Fair market rent by size
$2,238
3-bed / month
HUD Fair Market Rents, fiscal 2027, for this county. A typical rent for a modest unit, used to set housing-voucher payments.
Neighborhood price trend
Long-run price trend, 2000–2025
+1.5%
2025 change
FHFA repeat-sales index, median of 49 census tracts in this county (2000 = 100). Bars are each year's median change.
Natural hazard exposure
The area's risk shape
92
Relatively High
FEMA National Risk Index. Each spoke is a hazard ranked nationally, where 100 is the most exposed. Expected annual loss: $257,117,204.
Mortgage activity
Home lending in this county
81.4%
2018 approval rate
| Year | Applications | Loans made | Approval | Investor share | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 13779 | 7462 | 81.4% | 10.6% | $255,000 |
CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act records: every mortgage application reported by lenders for homes in this county. Approval rate is approved ÷ decided (withdrawn and incomplete files excluded). Investor share and home value are the median census tract.
New Hanover County, North Carolina
The New Hanover County housing market is showing signs of stabilization with modest price growth and a steady inventory level. While demand remains supported by the region's economic anchors, buyers are increasingly sensitive to interest rates and pricing, leading to a more balanced market environment.
No ARED distress-ledger coverage for this county yet — the foreclosure ingest rotates the national county directory, and filings appear here once the county's posted notices are read. Key-figure check: median price diverges 15.8% from the nearest retained anchor (published ten-year series (2024)) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict.
Select a city to expand its ZIP intel reports beneath · 4 cities · 10 ZIP reports
Median prices moved down 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 64 days on market with 3.8 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
22% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 92.92% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.8% · poverty 11.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Owned and leased federal assets with active or excess status, per the General Services Administration's Real Estate Across the United States inventory (read 2026-09-25). A federal footprint read on this county — not a market valuation, and never an attribute of any individual property or tenant.
Deterministic aggregate of 10 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
New Hanover County, North Carolina — researched county-level history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Each property observation weighs one in its ZIP's deterministic roll-up — property-level records (taxes, scores, permits) never roll individually. Latest property research run Oct 3, 2026.
researched Oct 8
researched Sep 16
researched Oct 8
researched Oct 8
researched Sep 30
researched Oct 8
researched Oct 8
researched Sep 16
researched Sep 16
researched Sep 16
| 28401 | Wilmington | $375,000 | $235 | -6% | 42 | 97.5% | 18% | 4.5 | 229 | $1,650 | researched Oct 8 |
| 28403 | Wilmington | $463,400 | $265 | +2.1% | 67 | 98.2% | 23% | 3.2 | 131 | $1,380 | researched Sep 16 |
| 28405 | Wilmington | $388,000 | $235 | -9.9% | 58 | 98.5% | 22% | 3.2 | 155 | $1,696 | researched Oct 8 |
| 28409 | Wilmington | $598,000 | $234 | +16.5% | 35 | 98.5% | 15% | 3.2 | 171 | $2,400 | researched Oct 8 |
| 28411 | Wilmington | $505,510 | $255 | -0.3% | 76 | — | — | 4.4 | 865 | $1,778 | researched Sep 30 |
| 28412 | Wilmington | $450,000 | $245 | +0.9% | 35 | 98.5% | 22% | 4.2 | 415 | $1,900 | researched Oct 8 |
| 28428 | Carolina Beach | $1,400,000 | $484 | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | $1,705 | researched Oct 8 |
| 28429 | Castle Hayne | $544,990 | $201 | +21.1% | 50 | — | — | — | 168 | $1,095 | researched Sep 16 |
| 28449 | Kure Beach | $825,000 | $261 | 0% | 64 | 97.6% | 23.1% | 3.7 | 1,464 | $1,420 | researched Sep 16 |
| 28480 | Wrightsville Beach | $463,400 | $265 | -6.3% | 67 | 98.5% | 23.2% | 4.1 | 1,625 | $2,336 | researched Sep 16 |
Figures are each ZIP report's own latest research — the county roll-up aggregates them sales_count-weighted (population fallback); ZIPs cycle quarterly.
Crime rates in New Hanover County are generally higher than the North Carolina state average, with property crime being the most prevalent category. Local law enforcement focuses on community policing initiatives to address urban crime trends in the Wilmington area.
The county is served by New Hanover County Schools, which maintains a diverse range of academic programs and magnet schools. Performance varies by district, with several schools receiving high marks for college readiness and student growth.
The county faces significant hurricane and tropical storm risks due to its coastal location, necessitating strict building codes and flood insurance requirements. Residents are encouraged to maintain comprehensive coverage for wind and flood damage.
Economic momentum is driven by the healthcare, education, and tourism sectors, with major employers including New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Infrastructure projects are currently focused on expanding regional transit and improving coastal resilience.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (North Carolina) — Tax Lien Attachment: A tax lien attaches to all real property, taking priority over all other liens and encumbrances regardless of when they were created. State (North Carolina) — Ad Valorem Property Tax: Tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the combined state and local tax rate. The formula is: Tax = (Assessed Value / 100) * Tax Rate.
The economy is anchored by healthcare, higher education, and a robust tourism industry, supported by the Port of Wilmington. Recent growth has been bolstered by an influx of remote workers and expansion in the professional services sector.
The county is served by a network of major highways including I-40 and US-74, with the Wilmington International Airport providing regional air connectivity. Public transit is managed by Wave Transit, offering bus services throughout the urban core.
The New Hanover County Tax Department performs annual property assessments to determine fair market value for taxation purposes, following North Carolina state statutes.
The county includes various special service districts, including fire protection districts and municipal utility districts that manage water and sewer infrastructure.
Property insurance premiums in the county are influenced by coastal hazard exposure, with many properties requiring specialized wind and hail coverage in addition to standard homeowners policies.
- North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher4.617.6 mi
- Indochine Restaurant4.52.1 mi
- Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park4.41.2 mi
- Live Oak Bank Pavilion4.24.5 mi
- Wilmington Convention Center4.54.4 mi
- North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher4.617.6 mi
- Battleship North Carolina4.84.4 mi
- Carolina Beach Boardwalk4.512.6 mi
- Wilmington Riverwalk, Battleship Eastside Site.4.74.1 mi
- Airlie Gardens4.83 mi
- North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher4.617.6 mi
- Battleship North Carolina4.84.4 mi
- Fort Fisher State Historic Site4.817 mi
- Oak Island Lighthouse4.623.9 mi
- The Cotton Exchange4.54.2 mi
- Fort Fisher State Recreation Area4.817.5 mi
- Airlie Gardens4.83 mi
- Carolina Beach State Park4.711.9 mi
- Long Leaf Park4.70.5 mi
- Freeman Park Beach4.610.7 mi
- Deep Point Marina & Yacht Club4.520.8 mi
- Morningstar Marinas Southport4.722.1 mi
- St James Properties4.121.1 mi
- Carolina Yacht Club4.54.8 mi
- Port City Marina4.54.5 mi
- Beau Rivage Golf & Resort4.47.1 mi
- Cape Fear Country Club4.62 mi
- Castle Bay Links Golf Course4.216.5 mi
- Wilmington Municipal Golf Course4.10.7 mi
- Ironclad Golf4.118.1 mi
- Independence Mall4.11.4 mi
- T.J. Maxx4.31.5 mi
- Publix Super Market Commons at Federal Point4.611.9 mi
- Kohl's4.42.1 mi
- Marshalls4.23.2 mi
- Wilmington International Airport4.33.9 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this county — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A premier coastal destination offering surfing, swimming, and a vibrant boardwalk scene that attracts residents and tourists alike.
A historic 67-acre garden featuring walking paths, seasonal blooms, and the famous Airlie Oak, serving as a major cultural landmark.
A historic naval vessel docked in the Cape Fear River, providing an immersive educational experience regarding the region's military history.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov using county-level profile tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
applies when — Applies to parcels where the title holder has created or is subject to recorded easements, restrictions, or conditions.
Imposes binding limitations on the use, development, or maintenance of the parcel as defined in the recorded instrument.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 39-6.4
Tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the combined state and local tax rate. The formula is: Tax = (Assessed Value / 100) * Tax Rate. Assessment is based on the true value in money, with counties required to conduct revaluations at least every eight years.
N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 105, Article 12 (2025)
applies when — Applies to parcels governed by a Homeowners' Association (Chapter 47F) or Condominium Association (Chapter 47C) where assessments remain unpaid.
Associations may file a claim of lien and foreclose in a manner similar to a mortgage under power of sale, or through a civil action.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 47F-3-116 and § 47C-3-116
A tax lien attaches to all real property, taking priority over all other liens and encumbrances regardless of when they were created.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-355
Allows for non-judicial foreclosure, though it requires a hearing before the Clerk of Superior Court to authorize the sale. Borrowers are entitled to a pre-foreclosure notice at least 45 days prior to the filing of a notice of hearing for primary residences.
N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 45, Article 2A and Article 11
Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.