Wilmington, North Carolina
128089
225436099
2008-07-13T18:08:21Z
Piracy
7470192
/* Shopping */
{{otherplaces2|Wilmington}}
{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = Wilmington, North Carolina
|settlement_type = [[City]]
|nickname = Port City, Dub-Town, The City out of the City
|motto =
|image_skyline = Wilm4.jpg
|imagesize = 250x200px
|image_caption = Wilmington as seen from the [[USS North Carolina]]
|image_flag =
|image_seal =
<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = NCMap-doton-Wilmington.PNG
|mapsize = 250x200px
|map_caption = Location of Wilmington
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[North Carolina]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover]]
|government_footnotes =
|government_type =
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Bill Saffo]]
|leader_title1 =
|leader_name1 =
|established_title = Incorporated
|established_date = [[December 31]], [[1739]]
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 107.4
|area_land_km2 = 106.2
|area_water_km2 = 1.2
|area_total_sq_mi = 41.5
|area_land_sq_mi = 41.0
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.5
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[United States Census, 2008|2008]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 100,903
|population_density_km2 = 714.2
|population_density_sq_mi = 1,966
|population_Metro_total = 532,451
<!-- General information -->
|timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m = 9
|elevation_ft = 30
|latd = 34 |latm = 13 |lats = 24 |latNS = N
|longd = 77 |longm = 54 |longs = 44 |longEW = W
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code = 28401-28412
|area_code = [[Area code 910|910]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 37-74440{{GR|2}}
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 1023269{{GR|3}}
|blank2_name = Sister cities
|blank2_info = [[Dandong|Dandong, China]]<br />[[Doncaster|Doncaster, United Kingdom]]<br />[[Bridgetown|Bridgetown, Barbados]]
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Wilmington''' is a city in [[New Hanover County, North Carolina]], [[United States]]. The population was estimated at 100,000 as of 2006 making it the eighth largest municipality in the state [http://demog.state.nc.us]. The Metro area of Wilmington is 532,451 as of February 2008. It is the [[county seat]] of [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover County]]. It was named in honor of [[Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington|Spencer Compton]], the Earl of Wilmington, who was [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] under [[George II of Great Britain|George II]].
Wilmington was settled on the [[Cape Fear River]] and offers its historic downtown with its one mile long Riverwalk as a main tourist attraction. It is minutes away from nearby beaches. [[The National Trust for Historic Preservation]] named Wilmington, North Carolina one of its [http://www2.preservationnation.org/dozen_distinctive_destinations/2008/Wilmington 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations]. City residents have the advantage of living nestled between the river and the ocean with [[Wrightsville Beach]] a short 20 minute drive from downtown.
In 2003 the city received, through an act of Congress, the designation of [http://www.uscg.mil/community/coast_guard_cities.htm Coast Guard City]. The 210' High Endurance Coast Guard Cutter [http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cgcDiligence/default.asp Diligence's] home port is at the city docks.
Wilmington is also known as the childhood home of [[basketball]] great [[Michael Jordan]] and [[journalist]] [[David Brinkley]]; famous Wilmington natives include [[Robert Ruark]], [[Sonny Jurgenson]], [[Charles Kuralt]], [[Charlie Daniels]], [[Roman Gabriel]], [[Meadowlark Lemon]], [[Trot Nixon]], [[Alge Crumpler]] and [[Hilarie Burton]]. It is also home to the World War II Battleship {{USS|North Carolina|BB-55}}. Now a war memorial, the ship is open to public tours and is on display across from the downtown port area. The town is home to the [[University of North Carolina Wilmington]], the [[Wilmington Hammerheads]] USL soccer team, the training camp site for the [[Charlotte Bobcats]] and the [http://www.capefearmuseum.com Cape Fear Museum]. The city has become a major center of American film and television production; motion pictures such as ''[[Blue Velvet]]'', ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (film)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', ''[[Empire Records]]'', ''[[Cape Fear (1991 film)|Cape Fear]]'', ''[[Black Knight (film)|Black Knight]]'', ''[[28 Days (film)|28 Days]]'', and ''[[The Crow (film)|The Crow]]'', as well as television shows such as ''[[Matlock (TV series)|Matlock]]'', [[The WB]]'s ''[[Dawson's Creek]]'' and ''[[One Tree Hill (TV series)|One Tree Hill]]'' have been produced there<ref> IMdb.com "[http://www.imdb.com/List?endings=on&&locations=Wilmington,%20North%20Carolina,%20USA&&heading=18;with+locations+including;Wilmington,%20North%20Carolina,%20USA]".
''Titles with a location of Wilmington, North Carolina'' </ref>.
==Geography==
[[Image:Welcome To Wilmington.JPG|thumb|left|Welcome to Wilmington]]
Wilmington is located at {{coor dms|34|13|24|N|77|54|44|W|city}} (34.223232, -77.912122).{{GR|1}}
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 41.5 [[square mile]]s (107.4 [[km²]]).41.0 square miles (106.2 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (1.16%) is water.
== Climate ==
Wilmington has a [[humid subtropical climate]].
*[[Winter]]s are generally cool with temperatures in the 50's and 60's F.
*[[Spring (season)|Spring]] has temperatures in the 70's and 80's. The presence of abundant dense [[vegetation]] in the area causes significant [[pollen]] dusting in the springtime that tends to turn rooftops and cars yellow.
*[[Summer]] brings humidity with temperatures in the 80's and 90's F. [[Heat Index]]es can easily break the 100 °F mark. Due to the proximity of warm [[Atlantic Ocean]] waters, the area may be hit by a [[tropical cyclone]] during the summer, at an average of once every 7 years.
*[[Autumn|Fall]] is also generally humid at the beginning, with the same tropical threats as the summer. Temperatures hover mostly in the 70's and 80's. Some of the [[deciduous trees]] may lose their [[leaves]]; however most trees in the area are [[evergreen]]s and therefore remain green year-round.
<!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather
|single_line= Yes
|location = Wilmington, North Carolina
|Jan_Hi_°F = 56 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F = 82
|Feb_Hi_°F = 60 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F = 85
|Mar_Hi_°F = 66 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F = 89
|Apr_Hi_°F = 74 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F = 95
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|Sep_Hi_°F = 84 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F = 98
|Oct_Hi_°F = 76 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F = 95
|Nov_Hi_°F = 68 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F = 87
|Dec_Hi_°F = 60 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F = 82
|Year_Hi_°F = 74 |Year_REC_Hi_°F = 104
|Jan_Hi_°C = 13 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C = 28
|Feb_Hi_°C = 16 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C = 29
|Mar_Hi_°C = 19 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C = 32
|Apr_Hi_°C = 23 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C = 35
|May_Hi_°C = 27 |May_REC_Hi_°C = 37
|Jun_Hi_°C = 30 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C = 40
|Jul_Hi_°C = 32 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C = 39
|Aug_Hi_°C = 31 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C = 39
|Sep_Hi_°C = 29 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C = 37
|Oct_Hi_°C = 24 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C = 35
|Nov_Hi_°C = 20 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C = 31
|Dec_Hi_°C = 16 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C = 28
|Year_Hi_°C = 23 |Year_REC_Hi_°C = 40
|Jan_Lo_°F = 36 |Jan_REC_Lo_°F = 5
|Feb_Lo_°F = 38 |Feb_REC_Lo_°F = 10
|Mar_Lo_°F = 44 |Mar_REC_Lo_°F = 9
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|Jun_Lo_°F = 68 |Jun_REC_Lo_°F = 48
|Jul_Lo_°F = 72 |Jul_REC_Lo_°F = 55
|Aug_Lo_°F = 71 |Aug_REC_Lo_°F = 55
|Sep_Lo_°F = 66 |Sep_REC_Lo_°F = 44
|Oct_Lo_°F = 54 |Oct_REC_Lo_°F = 27
|Nov_Lo_°F = 45 |Nov_REC_Lo_°F = 16
|Dec_Lo_°F = 38 |Dec_REC_Lo_°F = 0
|Year_Lo_°F = 54 |Year_REC_Lo_°F = 0
|Jan_Precip_inch = 4.5
|Feb_Precip_inch = 3.7
|Mar_Precip_inch = 4.2
|Apr_Precip_inch = 2.9
|May_Precip_inch = 4.4
|Jun_Precip_inch = 5.4
|Jul_Precip_inch = 7.6
|Aug_Precip_inch = 7.3
|Sep_Precip_inch = 6.8
|Oct_Precip_inch = 3.2
|Nov_Precip_inch = 3.3
|Dec_Precip_inch = 3.8
|Year_Precip_inch = 57.1
|Jan_Lo_°C = 2 |Jan_REC_Lo_°C = -15
|Feb_Lo_°C = 3 |Feb_REC_Lo_°C = -12
|Mar_Lo_°C = 7 |Mar_REC_Lo_°C = -13
|Apr_Lo_°C = 11 |Apr_REC_Lo_°C = -1
|May_Lo_°C = 16 |May_REC_Lo_°C = 2
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|Jul_Lo_°C = 22 |Jul_REC_Lo_°C = 13
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|Sep_Lo_°C = 19 |Sep_REC_Lo_°C = 7
|Oct_Lo_°C = 12 |Oct_REC_Lo_°C = -3
|Nov_Lo_°C = 7 |Nov_REC_Lo_°C = -9
|Dec_Lo_°C = 3 |Dec_REC_Lo_°C = -18
|Year_Lo_°C = 12 |Year_REC_Lo_°C = -18
|Jan_Precip_cm = 11.5
|Feb_Precip_cm = 9.3
|Mar_Precip_cm = 10.7
|Apr_Precip_cm = 7.5
|May_Precip_cm = 11.2
|Jun_Precip_cm = 13.6
|Jul_Precip_cm = 19.4
|Aug_Precip_cm = 18.6
|Sep_Precip_cm = 17.2
|Oct_Precip_cm = 8.2
|Nov_Precip_cm = 8.3
|Dec_Precip_cm = 9.6
|Year_Precip_cm = 145
|source =weather.com<ref name=climate>{{cite web
| url =http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNC0760?from=36hr_bottomnav_business | title =Weather.com: Weather Channel Historical Weather for Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America | accessmonthday =August 7 | accessyear =2007
| publisher = | language = }}</ref>
|accessdate = August 2007
|source2 =
|accessdate2 =
}}<!--Infobox ends-->
* Annual Average High Temperatures: ''90 °F'' (summer) ''60 °F'' (winter)
* Annual Average Low Temperatures ''72 °F'' (summer) ''38 °F'' (winter)
* Highest Recorded Temperature: ''104 °F'' (1952)
* Lowest Recorded Temperature: ''0 °F'' (1989)
* Warmest Month: ''July''
* Coolest Month: ''February''
* Highest Precipitation: ''July''
* Annual Precipitation: ''57.07 inches''
== History ==
Although there had been attempts to settle the Cape Fear region in the 1600s, the first permanent English settlers established themselves in the area in the 1720s. The town of Wilmington was incorporated in 1739. A number of the first settlers of the region came from South Carolina and [[Barbados]]. Slavery came early to the region as landowners used slave labor to exploit the region's natural resources. The forest provided the region's major industries through the 18th and most of the 19th century: [[naval stores]] and lumber fueled the economy both before and after the American Revolution. However the most significant event in Wilmington's history is the Coup D'État and Massacre of 1898 (see below).
===Civil War===
{{main|Wilmington, North Carolina, in the Civil War}}
During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] the port was a major base for Confederate blockade runners. It was captured by Union forces only in February 1865, approximately one month after the fall of [[Fort Fisher]] had closed the port. Since almost all the action was some distance from the city itself, a number of Antebellum homes and other buildings are still extant.
===Massacre of 1898===
{{main|Wilmington Insurrection of 1898}}
In November 1898 Wilmington was the scene of a violent attack by a well-organized group of whites who destroyed the printing press of the [[African American]] newspaper [[The Daily Record(Wilmington)|The Daily Record]] and set fire to the building in response to an editorial that "insulted white womanhood", which was credited to editor [[Alex Manly]]. The mob then went to the north side of town, where an unknown number of African Americans were murdered by [[lynching]] and many hundreds more were run out of town. No whites were killed during the incident.
At the same time, the Republican mayor and city council were forced to resign their offices and the leader of the white mob was then installed as mayor, these events precisely fitting the definition of a [[coup d'état]]. The events in Wilmington—which was the largest city in the state at the time—helped make North Carolina into a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]-controlled state. They also helped institute [[Jim Crow]] and [[disenfranchisement]] which lasted until the [[African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)|African-American Civil Rights Movement]] in the United States in the second half of the 20th century.
In 2006 the ''1898 Wilmington Race Riot Commission'' completed its official [http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/1898-wrrc/report/report.htm report] on the event. Consisting of thirteen commissioners appointed by the legislature, the governor, mayor and city council of Wilmington, the commission was assisted by the staff of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. They used the experience of the [[Rosewood Massacre|Rosewood]] Report (completed 1993), and the [[Tulsa Race Riot|Tulsa]] Report (completed 2001) as a model and set out to provide detailed explanations for the causes and effects of the riots and to propose a series of recommendations to address the wrongs perpetrated by earlier generations. The resolution also apologized to those affected by the riots and their repercussions and renounces these actions.
[[Image:Wilmington 1918.jpg|thumb|500 px|center|1918 panorama of Wilmington]]
==Demographics==
[[Image:WilmingtonAerialViewCoastGuard.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Aerial view of Wilmington]]
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2005, there were 96,354 people, 40,649 households, and 19,398 families residing in the city; according to census bureau estimates, the 2004 population is 93,292. The [[population density]] was 1,849.8 people per square mile (714.2/km²). There were 38,678 housing units at an average density of 943.4/sq mi (364.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.57% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 25.82% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.35% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.90% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.09% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.14% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.13% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.63% of the population. Through 1990-2000 the population grew 62.7% according to the Development Services Department (DSD) Planning Division of Wilmington, NC. Through 2000-2005 the population grew 4.7% according to DSD. Males make up 49.1% and females make up 50.9% of the population.
There were 34,359 households out of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.5% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.4% under the age of 18, 17.2% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,099, and the median income for a family was $41,891. Males had a median income of $30,803 versus $23,423 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,503. About 13.3% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
==Transportation==
*The City of Wilmington offers transient, short-term, & long-term [http://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Departments/CommunityServices/ParksRecreationDowntownServices/DowntownServices/Docking.aspx docking facilities] in Historic Downtown Wilmington along the scenic Cape Fear River approximately 15 miles from the [[Intracoastal Waterway]]. Docks accommodating vessels up to 200' with 30 and 50 amp power service are available within walking distance to area attractions, hotels, shopping, dining, theater, nightlife, laundry, post office, bank, pharmacy, and supplies.
*Interstate [[Highway]]: The eastern terminus of [[Interstate 40|I-40]] is in Wilmington, sections of [[Interstate 140 (North Carolina)|I-140]] are open, and there are plans to extend [[Interstate 20|I-20]] and [[Interstate 74|I-74]] to Wilmington.
*The [[Wilmington International Airport]] serves the area with commercial air service provided by [[Delta Air Lines]] and [[US Airways]]. The airport is also home to two fixed base operations (FBO's) which currently house over 100 private aircraft. [[Wilmington International Airport| ILM]] maintains a separate International Terminal providing a full service Federal Inspection Station to clear international flights. This includes U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Dept of Agriculture and the U.S. Dept of Immigration. The airport is a quick 4 mile, 10 minute taxi ride from downtown.
*[[Greyhound Lines]] offers daily service to [[Raleigh, NC]].
*Once in Wilmington the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority, operating as [http://www.wavetransit.com Wave Transit] provides a variety of public transportation options including fixed bus routes, shuttles, and a free downtown trolley .
*[[Bicycle]]: The [[North Carolina Bicycle Route 5|NC-DOT ''Cape Fear Run'' bicycle route]] connects [[Apex, North Carolina|Apex]] to Wilmington and closely parallels the [[Randonneurs USA|RUSA]] 600 km [[brevet (bicycle)|brevet]] [http://www.unc.edu/~alanj/600_kilometers.htm route].
==Neighborhoods==
Dry Pond,
Princess Place,
Carolina Heights,
Houston Moore,
Northchase,
Greenfield,
South Greenfield,
Bellview,
Creekwood,
Castle Hayne,
Smith Creek,
Inland Greens,
Murraysville,
Landfall,
Ogden,
Porters Neck,
Figure Eight Island,
Pine Valley,
Myrtle Grove (Monkey Junction),
St. Andrews,
Echo Farms,
The Lakes,
Masonboro,
Navaho Trail,
Seagate,
Beau Rivage, and
Sea Breeze.
==Business==
[[Image:Port of Wilmington Aerial 3B19.jpg|thumb|200px|Port of Wilmington]]
[[Image:Wilmington North Carolina port aerial view.jpg|thumb|200px|The port in Wilmington on the Cape Fear River estuary]]
Wilmington experienced staggering growth in the 1990s, ranking at one point as the second fastest growing city in the country, behind only Las Vegas. Economists have forecasted growth in the Greater Wilmington area to be the fastest in the state between 2004-2010, averaging 7%.
Located on the [[Cape Fear River]], which flows into the [[Atlantic Ocean]], Wilmington is a sizable [[seaport]], including private marine terminals and the [[North Carolina State Ports Authority|North Carolina State Ports Authority's]] [http://www.ncports.com/port_of_wilmington.htm Port of Wilmington]. A major international seaport, the [[North Carolina International Port]] is being planned down the river in [[Southport, North Carolina|Southport]].
===Top employers===
* [http://www.nhhn.org New Hanover Regional Medical Center]
* [[New Hanover County Schools]]
* [[New Hanover County, North Carolina]]
* [[Verizon Wireless]]
* [[University of North Carolina at Wilmington|UNC Wilmington]]
* [[General Electric]]
* [[Corning Incorporated]]
* [http://www.ppdi.com PPD, Inc.]
* City of Wilmington
* [http://www.ncports.com/port_of_wilmington.htm Port of Wilmington]
==Media==
===Newspapers===
''[[The Star-News]]'' is Wilmington's daily newspaper, owned by the ''[[New York Times]],'' and is read widely throughout the Lower Cape Fear region. Two historic [[African-American]] newspapers are distributed and published weekly -- ''[http://www.wilmingtonjournal.com/news/default.asp The Wilmington Journal]'' and ''The Challenger Newspapers.'' ''[http://encorepub.com Encore Magazine]'' is a weekly arts and entertainment publication.
===Television stations===
The Wilmington television market is ranked 136 in the United States, and is the smallest [[Designated Market Area|DMA]] in North Carolina. The broadcast stations are as follows:
*[[WWAY]], Channel (3), ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate)
*[[WECT]], Channel (6), ([[NBC]] affiliate)
*[[WILM-LP]], Channel (10), ([[CBS]] affiliate)
*[[WSFX-TV]], Channel (26), ([[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate)
*[[WUNJ-TV]], Channel (39), ([[PBS]] affiliate, part of the [[UNC-TV]] Network)
*[[W47CK]], Channel (47), ([[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate, uses fictional WMYW calls on-air)
*[[W51CW]], Channel (51), ([[Trinity Broadcasting Network|TBN]] affiliate)
The region is also served by a cable-only affiliate of [[CW Television Network|The CW]], Channel 29 on [[Time Warner Cable]] and Channel 17 on [[Charter Cable]].
On [[September 8]], [[2008]], WWAY, WECT, WSFX, WILM-LP and W51CW will all turn off their analog signals, making Wilmington the first market in the nation to go digital-only as part of a test by the FCC to iron out transition and reception concerns before the nationwide shutoff, and because the area's digital channel positions will remain unchanged after the transition <ref>http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-05-07-digitaltv_N.htm</ref>. WUNJ will not participate and will keep their analog signal on until the national [[digital switchover]] date of [[February 17]], [[2009]], as they are the official area conduit of emergency information in the area<ref>[http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080507/NEWS/118071900/1004/Wilmington_to_switch_to_digital_TV_signals_before_rest_of_country | StarNewsOnline.com | Star-News | Wilmington, NC<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. W47CK will not particpate due to their low-power status; FCC rules currently exempts low-powered stations from the 2009 analog shutdown. <ref>http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/05/fcc_confirms_wilmington_as_dig.php</ref> WILM-LP and W51CW has chosen to participate, even though they are exempt as LPTV stations.
===Radio stations===
*88.1 FM [[WGHW]] - Christian Programs from Church Planters Of America
*88.5 FM [[WZDG]] - Christian Rock ("88.5, The Edge")
*88.9 FM [[WKVC]] - Contemporary Christian ("K-Love")
*89.7 FM [[WDVV]] - Worship & Praise Music("The Dove, 89.7")
*90.5 FM [[WWIL]] - Christian Music & Teaching Programs("Life 90.5")
*91.3 FM [[WHQR]] - Public Radio
*92.3 FM [[WQSL]] - Urban Contemporary ("92.3, The Touch")
*92.7 FM [[WBPL-LP|WBPL]] - Catholic Programs ("Relevant Radio")
*93.7 FM [[WNTB]] - Talk Radio ("The Big Talker FM")
*94.5 FM [[WKXS]] - Classic Hits ("94.5, The Hawk")
*95.5 FM W238AV - Contemporary Christian ("[[K-LOVE]]")
*95.9 FM W240AS - Christian Programs from [[WOTJ]], Morehead City
*97.3 FM [[WMNX]] - Hip Hop/R & B ("Coast 97.3")
*98.3 FM [[WSFM]] - Alternative ("Surf 98.3")
*98.7 FM [[WLGD]] - Popular Latin music ("La Grand D")
*99.9 FM [[WKXB]] - Oldies ("Jammin' 99.9")
*100.5 FM W263BA - Contemporary Christian ("[[K-LOVE]]")
*101.3 FM [[WWQQ]]- Country ("Double Q, 101")
*102.7 FM [[WGNI]] - Hot AC ("102.7 GNI")
*103.7 FM [[WBNE]] - Classic Rock (103.7,"The Bone")
*104.5 FM [[WILT]] - Adult Hits ("Will FM")
*105.5 FM [[WXQR]] - Rock ("Rock 105")
*106.3 FM [[WLTT]] - Talk Radio ("The Big Talker FM")
*106.7 FM [[WUIN]] - Variety Hits ("The Penguin")
*107.5 FM [[WAZO]] - Top 40 ("Z 107.5")
*630 AM [[WMFD]] - Sports ("ESPN Radio, AM 630")
*980 AM [[WAAV]] - News, Talk, Sports ("News, Talk, & Sports 980 The Wave")
*1180 AM [[WMYT]] - Spanish Christian ("Radio Alegre")
*1340 AM [[WLSG]] - Southern Gospel ("God's Country, 1340")
*1490 AM [[WWIL]] - Urban Gospel ("Gospel Joy, 1490")
==Performing Arts==
The city supports a very active calender with its showcase theater, the [http://www.thalianhall.com Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts], hosting about 250 events annually. The complex has been in continuous operation since it opened in 1858 and houses three performance venues, the Main Stage, the Grand Ballroom, and the Studio Theater.
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington [http://www.uncwil.edu/cas/ College of Arts and Science] Departments of Theatre, Music and Art share a state-of-the-art, $34 million Cultural Arts Building which opened in December 2006. The production area consists of a music recital hall, art gallery, and two theatres. Sponsored events include 4 theater productions a year.
The [http://wilmingtonsymphony.org/ Wilmington Symphony Orchestra] was established in 1971 and offers throughout the year a series of five classical performances, and a Free Family Concert.
Local stages include:
*[http://redbarnstudiotheatre.com Red Barn Studio]
*[http://www.citystageatlevel5.com/theatre.html Level 5 at City Stage]
*[http://www.operahousetheatrecompany.net Opera House]
* Browncoat Theater
==Music==
Wilmington is also home to numerous music festivals.
*One of the largest [[DIY]] festivals, the [http://www.wefestival.com Wilmington Exchange Festival], which happens over a period of 5 days around [[Memorial Day]] each year. It is currently in its 12th year.
*Celebrating its 28th year [http://www.capefearjazz.com The North Carolina Jazz Festival] is a three-day traditional jazz festival which features world-renowned jazz musicians.
*[http://www.capefearblues.org The Blues Society of the Lower Cape Fear] was formed in 1987 by a small group of blues supporters in Wilmington, N.C. The Cape Fear Blues Festival is a cultural fixture in the region and a rising star throughout the national blues industry. The festival features local, regional & national acts at a Main Stage Concert, All-Day Blues Jam, Blues Cruise, Kick-Off Party, and Blues Workshops. This also includes the famous "Women in Blues" music festival.
==Sports==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Club
! scope="col" | League
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" | Established
! scope="col" | Championships
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Wilmington Sharks]]
| [[Coastal Plain League|CPL]], Baseball
| [[Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium]]
| 1997
| 2
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Wilmington Sea Dawgs]]
| [[Premier Basketball League|PBL]], Basketball
| [[Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center]]
| 2006
| 0
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Wilmington Hammerheads]]
| [[USL Second Division|USL]], Soccer
| [[Legion Stadium]]
| 1996
| 1
|}
The [[Wilmington Sharks]] are a [[Coastal Plain League]] (CPL) baseball team in Wilmington that was founded in 1997 and was among the charter organizations when the CPL was formed that same year. The roster is made up of top collegiate baseball players fine-tuning their skills using wood bats to prepare for professional baseball. Their stadium is located at Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium in Wilmington.
The [[Wilmington Sea Dawgs]] are a [[Premier Basketball League]] (PBL) team in Wilmington that began its inaugural season with the [[American Basketball Association (21st century)|American Basketball Association]] (ABA) in November 2006.
The [[Wilmington Hammerheads]] are a professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. They were founded in 1996 and currently play in the [[United Soccer Leagues]] Second Division. Their stadium is the [[Legion Stadium]].
The [[University of North Carolina Wilmington]] sponsors 19 intercollegiate sports and has held Division 1 membership in the [[NCAA]] since 1977. UNCW competes in the [[Colonial Athletic Association]] and has been a member since 1984.
The Cape Fear Rugby Football Club is an amateur rugby club playing in USA Rugby South Division II. They were founded in 1974 and hosts the annual [[Cape Fear Sevens]] Tournament held over the 4th of July weekend; hosting teams from all over the world. They own their own rugby pitch located at 21st and Chestnut St.<ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.fearrugby.com | title = official Cape Fear Fugby website}}</ref>
==Shopping==
*[[Independence Mall (North Carolina)|Independence Mall]]
*[http://www.luminastation.com/ Lumina Station]
*[http://www.shopcottonexchange.com The Cotton Exchange]
*[http://www.mayfairetown.com/ Mayfaire Town Center]
*[http://www.HanoverCenter.com Hanover Center]
==Dining==
*[http://www.capefearrestaurants.com Cape Fear Restaurants Menu and Dining Guide]
==Sister cities==
Wilmington is a [[sister city]] with the following cities:
*{{flagicon|China}} [[Dandong|Dandong, China]] - [[1986]]
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Doncaster|Doncaster, United Kingdom]] - [[1989]]
*{{flagicon|Barbados}} [[Bridgetown|Bridgetown, Barbados]] - [[2004]]
==Points of interest==
[[Image:USS North Carolina-27527.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The [[USS North Carolina (BB-55)|USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial]], seen from downtown Wilmington, looking across the mouth of the [[w:Cape Fear River|Cape Fear]].]]
* [[Airlie Gardens]]
* [http://www.capefearmuseum.com Cape Fear Museum]
* [http://www.playwilmington.org The Children's Museum of Wilmington]
* [http://www.thalianhall.com Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts]
* [http://www.capefearserpentarium.com Cape Fear Serpentarium]
* [http://www.screengemsstudios.com EUE Screen Gems]
* [http://www.ncazaleafestival.org North Carolina Azalea Festival]
* [[North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher]]
* [[New Hanover County Extension Service Arboretum]]
* [[University of North Carolina at Wilmington Arboretum]]
* [[BB-55#Decommisioning 0.26 Battleship Memorial|USS North Carolina Memorial]]
* [[Sunset Park Historic District]]
* [http://www.bellamymansion.org The Bellamy Mansion]
* Fourth Friday Gallery Nights
==Educational Institutions==
===Universities and Colleges===
* The [[University of North Carolina at Wilmington]] supports a student population of more than 15,000 students on a 650 acre campus.
*[http://cfcc.edu/ Cape Fear Community College] operates from two campus locations, one in downtown Wilmington the other in Northern New Hanover County. Over 26,000 students take classes each year at the college with enrollment in credit programs now topping 7,200.
===Academies and Alternate Schools===
* [http://www.fsow.org Friends School of Wilmington]
* [[The Lyceum Academy]]
* [[Cape Fear Academy]]
* [http://www.wilmingtonchristian.com Wilmington Christian Academy]
* [http://www.stmarkcatholicschool.org St. Mark Catholic School]
* [http://teacherweb.com/NC/StMaryWilmington/SchoolHomePage/SDHP1.stm St. Mary Catholic School]
* [http://www.wilmingtonacademy.org Wilmington Academy of Arts and Sciences]
===High Schools===
* [[Eugene Ashley High School]]
* [[John T. Hoggard High School]]
* [[Isaac Bear Early College High School]]
* [[Emsley A. Laney High School]]
* [[New Hanover High School]]
* [[Lakeside High School]]
===Middle Schools===
* Charles P. Murray Middle School
* DC Virgo Middle School
* Emma B. Trask Middle School
* M C S Noble Middle School
* Myrtle Grove Middle School
* Roland-Grise Middle School
* Williston Middle School
===Elementary===
*Walter L. Parsley
*Carolina Beach
*Anderson
*Wrightsboro
*Wrightsville Beach
*Holly Tree
*Bellamy
*Alderman
*Winter Park
*Blair
*Bradley Creek
*Codington
*College Park
*Eaton
*Forest Hills
*Gregory<sub>Math/Sci/Tech</sub>
*Johnson
*Lake Forest
*Murrayville
*Ogden
*Pine Valley
*Freeman
*Snipes
*Sunset Park
*Williams
===Pre-K Centers===
*Howe
*NHCS
*Roe
*St. Mary Catholic School[http://teacherweb.com/NC/StMaryWilmington/SchoolHomePage/SDHP1.stm]
==Notable Wilmingtonians==
* [[Eugene Ashley, Jr.]] - [[Medal of Honor]] recipient (Vietnam; awarded posthumously), born in Wilmington in 1930 or 1931.
* [[Robert Ruark]] - sportsman and syndicated writer during the 1940s-1950s, born in Wilmington in 1915 and graduated from New Hanover High School.
* [[David Brinkley]] - American television newscaster for [[NBC]] and later [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], born in Wilmington in 1920.
* [[Michael Jordan]] - American basketball player, grew up in Wilmington.
* [[Charles Kuralt]] - award-winning American journalist, born in Wilmington in 1934.
* [[Meadowlark Lemon]] - American basketball player and actor, born in Wilmington in 1932.
* [[Thomas Peters (black leader)|Thomas Peters]] - early founder of [[Sierra Leone]], who escaped from [[slavery]] in Wilmington at the beginning of the [[American Revolution]].
* Captain [[William Gordon Rutherfurd]] - commanded the HMS [[HMS Swiftsure (1804)|''HMS Swiftsure'']] during the [[Battle of Trafalgar]], born in Wilmington in 1765.
* [[Sonny Jurgensen]] -- former [[National Football League|NFL]] ([[Washington Redskins]]) quarterback
* [[Roman Gabriel]] -- former NFL ([[Los Angeles Rams]]) quarterback; [[National Football League Most Valuable Player Award|1969 NFL Most Valuable Player]]
* [[Willie Stargell]] -- former [[MLB]] ([[Pittsburgh Pirates]]) outfielder and 1st baseman
* [[Trot Nixon]] -- [[MLB]] ([[New York Mets]]) outfielder
==References==
<references />
==External links==
* [http://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/ Official website of Wilmington, NC]
* [http://www.nhcgov.com/Pages/NHC.aspx Official website of New Hanover County, NC]
* {{wikitravel|Wilmington (North Carolina)|Wilmington}}
{{New Hanover County, North Carolina}}
{{North_Carolina}}
[[Category:Cities in North Carolina]]
[[Category:New Hanover County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Port cities in the United States]]
[[Category:Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]]
[[Category:County seats in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Settlements established in 1739]]
[[ar:ويلمينغتون، كارولاينا الشمالية]]
[[bg:Уилмингтън (Северна Каролина)]]
[[de:Wilmington (North Carolina)]]
[[fr:Wilmington (Caroline du Nord)]]
[[ko:윌밍턴 (노스캐롤라이나 주)]]
[[id:Wilmington, North Carolina]]
[[nl:Wilmington (North Carolina)]]
[[ja:ウィルミントン (ノースカロライナ州)]]
[[no:Wilmington (Nord-Carolina)]]
[[pl:Wilmington (Karolina Północna)]]
[[pt:Wilmington (Carolina do Norte)]]
[[sv:Wilmington, North Carolina]]
[[vo:Wilmington (North Carolina)]]