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Been a lot of discussion about the booming metros of Charlotte and Raleigh, for good reason...however in looking at posted census numbers from 2010 to 2020 online, a growing metro in NC is sometimes left out that shouldn't be...
Here are the percentage changes for the top 3 counties in the Charlotte region
York 27.4%
Cabarrus 24%
Mecklenburg 22.3%
for an average of 24.5% of its top growing counties
Raleigh region
Johnston 27.4%
Wake 24.9%
Durham 20.6%
for an average of 24.3%
The left out region of NC?
Wilmington
Brunswick 37.9%
Pender 23.4%
New Hanover 16.4%
for an average of 25.9%
Anyone who has been to New Hanover County knows that it doesn't have much room at all to grow and is the 2nd smallest county in the State. It is obvious that the growth is spreading INTO the two neighboring counties that surround it.
To a rate surpassing both Charlotte and Raleigh. Now granted there are more directions to grow since New Hanover is on the coast, but still.
Percentages can't be averaged like that. Let me fix it.
York + Cabarrus + Mecklenburg's combined 2020 population was 23.4% bigger than in 2010
Johnston + Wake + Durham's was 24.3% bigger than in 2010
Brunswick + Pender + New Hanover's was 23.8% bigger than in 2010
Regardless the point stands. Wilmington is growing rapidly and will anchor an ever growing region. Hopefully Brunswick returns to the Wilmington Metro soon.
I'd like to know what is there to do and see in downtown Wilmington? I am genuinely curious. I'd like to stay there for a few days on a weekend before the summer is over.
I'd like to know what is there to do and see in downtown Wilmington? I am genuinely curious. I'd like to stay there for a few days on a weekend before the summer is over.
The Riverwalk, tons of great restaurants, bars and breweries, Off Broadway (and other) shows at Thalian Hall and the Wilson Center, the Bellamy House, the Burgwin-Wright House, historic walking tours, Live Oak Bank Pavillion, shopping, Wilmington Railroad Museum, Cape Fear Museum, Children's Museum of Wilmington, artr galleries, riverboat criuse.
The Riverwalk, tons of great restaurants, bars and breweries, Off Broadway (and other) shows at Thalian Hall and the Wilson Center, the Bellamy House, the Burgwin-Wright House, historic walking tours, Live Oak Bank Pavillion, shopping, Wilmington Railroad Museum, Cape Fear Museum, Children's Museum of Wilmington, artr galleries, riverboat criuse.
Nice! Yeah, I really need to discover present-day Wilmington for sure! It's tough trying to convince the wife to travel 3 hours and 20 minutes to a coastal city that isn't Charleston (2 hours 55 minutes) or Savannah (3 hours 35 minutes). At any rate, I just took a little virtual stroll along the Riverwalk on Google street view and the Wilmington Water Tours looked interesting. Wilmington seems to be a bit underrated.
Nice! Yeah, I really need to discover present-day Wilmington for sure! It's tough trying to convince the wife to travel 3 hours and 20 minutes to a coastal city that isn't Charleston (2 hours 55 minutes) or Savannah (3 hours 35 minutes). At any rate, I just took a little virtual stroll along the Riverwalk on Google street view and the Wilmington Water Tours looked interesting. Wilmington seems to be a bit underrated.
I lived there from 1998-2000 and I agree, it is underrated. The same is true for Asheville, IMO, but Asheville does get its share of recognition in a number of areas.
Percentages can't be averaged like that. Let me fix it.
York + Cabarrus + Mecklenburg's combined 2020 population was 23.4% bigger than in 2010 (1,639,149)
Johnston + Wake + Durham's was 24.3% bigger than in 2010 (1,702,834)
Brunswick + Pender + New Hanover's was 23.8% bigger than in 2010 (436,048)
Regardless the point stands. Wilmington is growing rapidly and will anchor an ever growing region. Hopefully Brunswick returns to the Wilmington Metro soon.
As an additional point of reference, I've added the latest Census estimates for the combined 3 counties of each metro.
Another point of reference is that the 3 counties in the Triangle added over 365,000 since 2010 and the 3 in Charlotte added over 318,000. There's a statistical reason why these metros get talked about as the growth drivers in NC. In comparison, the 3 counties in Wilmington added just under 74,000 in the same time period. Wake and Mecklenburg each lapped that total number a few times.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Wilmington area a lot, and I always enjoy my visits. It's a short and easy drive from Raleigh and I have friends there.
Nice! Yeah, I really need to discover present-day Wilmington for sure! It's tough trying to convince the wife to travel 3 hours and 20 minutes to a coastal city that isn't Charleston (2 hours 55 minutes) or Savannah (3 hours 35 minutes). At any rate, I just took a little virtual stroll along the Riverwalk on Google street view and the Wilmington Water Tours looked interesting. Wilmington seems to be a bit underrated.
That's crazy to think about from the perspective of a Raleighite. I can get to Wilmington in less than 2 hours from downtown, but it takes me 4 hours to get to Charleston and at least 4 and a half to get to Savannah, and both of those times presume no traffic and no stops along the way.
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