Wilmington, North Carolina Income Statistics
Wilmington Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Wilmington Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Wilmington | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,868 | $72,438 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,617 | $54,489 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.4% | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.9% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 10.6% | 10.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Wilmington is about 8% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing faster in Wilmington (5.4%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 13% of adults in Wilmington earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the North Carolina average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Wilmington, North Carolina grew by 73.7% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $66,868 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Wilmington
| Metric | Wilmington | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.544 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $62,954 | $63,136 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $52,617 | $52,579 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.4% | 16.7% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Wilmington, it is 0.544, about the same as North Carolina's 0.547, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 20% more than women's income in Wilmington, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $361,795 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wilmington, North Carolina has narrowed from about 25% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 14% in 2013. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $124 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Wilmington | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 19.0% | 16.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 2,829 people are unemployed in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Wilmington is 16 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Wilmington, North Carolina has fallen from 10.2% to 4.3% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 11.7% in 2013.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Wilmington, North Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with North Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Wilmington, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Wilmington, North Carolina?
Wilmington has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $66,868, about 8% lower than the North Carolina average of $72,438.
How fast is household income rising in Wilmington, North Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Wilmington, North Carolina rose 74%, from $38,492 to $66,868. Over the same years, income here outpaced North Carolina as a whole: +74% against +61%.
What was the median household income in Wilmington in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Wilmington, North Carolina was $63,614, up 8% from $58,676 in 2022. The North Carolina median that year was $69,937.
What was the median household income in Wilmington in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Wilmington, North Carolina was $51,841. By 2024 it had risen 29% to $66,868.
What is the Gini coefficient in Wilmington, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Wilmington is 0.544. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Wilmington, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wilmington, North Carolina has narrowed from about 25% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 14% in 2013. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $124 since 2009.
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