New Hanover County, North Carolina, USA
County or equivalent
Location overview
New Hanover County occupies a compact stretch of southeastern North Carolina between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, with Wilmington as its county seat. Beaches, tidal creeks, marshes and barrier islands give the county a distinctly coastal landscape despite its small land area. Formed in 1729, it developed around river and ocean trade, with Wilmington becoming the lower Cape Fear region’s principal port and commercial center. New Hanover County had about 246,000 residents in 2025. Port logistics, tourism, higher education, health care, film production, construction and marine businesses support its economy.