Population in Wilmington, NC

Population in Wilmington, NC was 126,809 in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is up 1.1% from 2024. That is the 8th highest of 93 cities in 2025.

2025, persons126,809
Change on 2024+1.1%
Series high126,8092025
Series low115,9472020

Population in Wilmington, NC, 2020 to 2025

115K117.5K120K122.5K125K127.5K2020202120222023202420252020: 115,947 persons2021: 118,026 persons2022: 121,400 persons2023: 123,607 persons2024: 125,438 persons2025: 126,809 persons
persons. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual estimates of the resident population for incorporated places, 1 July (Population Estimates Program, subcounty totals). Retrieved 2026-10-12, published 2026-05-14.
All 6 values
Periodpersons
2025126,809
2024125,438
2023123,607
2022121,400
2021118,026
2020115,947

Compared with North Carolina and United States

Place2025
Wilmington, NC126,809
North Carolina11,197,968
United States341,784,857

Rankings

Definition

Resident population. Spain and the EU: 1 January, with Spanish figures from the official municipal register (Padrón). Norway: Statistics Norway, 1 January. United States: Census Bureau population estimates for 1 July. United Kingdom regions and local authorities: Office for National Statistics estimates for 30 June. Other countries and the World: World Bank mid-year estimates, which count all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

The World Bank series exists for every country, so use it (through compare) to rank countries on one basis.

How to cite

U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for incorporated places, 1 July (Population Estimates Program, subcounty totals). https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

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Questions

What is the population in Wilmington, NC?

Population in Wilmington, NC was 126,809 in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is up 1.1% from 2024. That is the 8th highest of 93 cities in 2025.

Where does this figure come from?

U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for incorporated places, 1 July (Population Estimates Program, subcounty totals). Retrieved by Invokely on 2026-10-12.

What was the highest population in Wilmington, NC?

126,809 in 2025, the highest value since 2020 in this series.

Population elsewhere in North Carolina

All statistics for Wilmington, NC