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Wilmington population

Wilmington, North Carolina had an estimated 126,809 residents on July 1, 2025, the 237th-largest city in the US. That is up 19.1% since the 2010 Census and up 40.7% since 2000.

WilmingtonNorth CarolinaPop. 126,809
Population, July 2025
126,809+9.8% since April 2020
People per sq mile
2,46951.4 sq mi of land
Median age
37.118.2% are 65 or older
Households with kids
18.8%with anyone under 18

Population by year, 2000 to 2025

76k89k101k114k127k2000: 90,11020002001: 91,5062002: 92,84420022003: 94,2912004: 97,13120042005: 100,2372006: 102,50920062007: 103,7672008: 104,99720082009: 105,6072010: 106,47620102011: 108,1712012: 109,70620122013: 111,7532014: 113,40820142015: 115,1632016: 118,83920162017: 120,9172018: 122,78620182019: 123,5222020: 115,49420202021: 118,0262022: 121,40020222023: 123,6072024: 125,43820242025: 126,8092025
Darker bars are the April 2000, 2010 and 2020 benchmarks; the rest are July 1 estimates. Source: US Census Bureau population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020 and Vintage 2025).
YearPopulationChangeBasis
2025126,809+1,371Estimate, July 1
2024125,438+1,831Estimate, July 1
2023123,607+2,207Estimate, July 1
2022121,400+3,374Estimate, July 1
2021118,026+2,532Estimate, July 1
2020115,494-8,028April 2020 estimates base
2019123,522+736Estimate, July 1
2018122,786+1,869Estimate, July 1
2017120,917+2,078Estimate, July 1
2016118,839+3,676Estimate, July 1
2015115,163+1,755Estimate, July 1
2014113,408+1,655Estimate, July 1
2013111,753+2,047Estimate, July 1
2012109,706+1,535Estimate, July 1
2011108,171+1,695Estimate, July 1
2010106,476+8692010 Census (April 1)
2009105,607+610Estimate, July 1
2008104,997+1,230Estimate, July 1
2007103,767+1,258Estimate, July 1
2006102,509+2,272Estimate, July 1
2005100,237+3,106Estimate, July 1
200497,131+2,840Estimate, July 1
200394,291+1,447Estimate, July 1
200292,844+1,338Estimate, July 1
200191,506+1,396Estimate, July 1
200090,110April 2000 estimates base

Year-to-year changes across 2010 and 2020 mix census counts with estimates, so small jumps at those years are partly method changes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the population of Wilmington in 2025?

The Census Bureau estimates Wilmington had 126,809 residents on July 1, 2025, making it the 237th-largest city in the US.

Is Wilmington growing?

Yes. Wilmington has grown 19.1% since the 2010 Census (106,476 people), and grown 9.8% since 2020.

What was the population of Wilmington in 2000?

About 90,110 (the Census Bureau's April 2000 estimates base). By the 2010 Census it was 106,476.

How dense is Wilmington?

Wilmington has about 2,469 people per square mile of land (51.4 square miles).

More about Wilmington

See cost of living, jobs and commutes in Wilmington, Wilmington weather by month, or every Wilmington ZIP code. For the biggest cities in the country, see the largest US cities.