After being named New Carthage, New Liverpool, Liverpool, New Town and Newton, this east-bank settlement was named Wilmington by Governor Gabriel Johnston to honor his friend Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, in 1739.With a population of 13,500 residents in the city and an overall county population of 28,000 Wilmington became one of the largest cities in 1740.

Wilmington - the Port City prospered as a major port, shipbuilding center and producer of pine forest products. At one time, it boasted of being the largest cotton exchange in the world. The waterfront bustled, and still does, with sailing ships coming to pick up and unload cargo.

Getting into Wilmington area by land, sea or air is easier than before. Wilmington has a port, an airport and Interstate 40 that starts from Wilmington and goes as far as California (East Coast-West Coast connection).

Wilmingtonians are proud of their city's history and pleased to share it, though the influx of tourism in the last decade has startled the locals because they were used to isolation. True to the Southern hospitality and charm all visitors are treated as honored guests. In the last five years (1993-1998) this area has grown by leaps and bounds as baby boomers and retirees moved in to the friendly Wilmington.

Wilmington occupies most of New Hanover County, the second smallest county in the state of North Carolina. New Hanover county is spread over an area of only 185 square miles with population of approximately 150,000 in 1997.

However the projections suggest that this may double by the year 2030. Compared to the neighboring counties (Pender-33 and Brunswick-60) New Hanover has a population Density of 700 people per square mile. The population explosion is fueled by many factors, prominent being the easier accessibility by land, sea and air, excellent four-season climate, scenic beauty, film industry and numerous possibilities of investment opportunities.