Young, growing city close to Wilmington’s coastline
Incorporated in 1989, Leland is a Brunswick County city on the rise. “It’s not too often that you get to help grow a town. There are places across the U.S. that are shrinking in size, but that’s not happening here,” says Neil Brooks, the assistant town manager and a Leland resident for 17 years. Leland’s population has doubled to nearly 24,000 in the last decade, primarily attracting retirees and families with school-aged children. The medical field and trade industry are the top employers in Leland, and many commute to neighboring Wilmington for work. With a year-round pleasant climate, plans for more housing, and proximity to Wilmington’s historic downtown and beaches, Brooks says Leland will only get bigger.
Leland is a growing area with unique styles of homes in new home communities.
Leland is near downtown Wilmington with many employers and popular restaurants and shops.
Novant Health is a large healthcare employer for Leland residents who work in the medical field.
Wrightsville Beach is a popular beach Leland locals enjoy going to nearby for some fun in the sun.
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New Traditional homes at affordable price points
Housing in Leland tends to be more affordable than in Wilmington, even with the median cost of single-family homes at around $400,000, slightly below the national average. Dana Fisher, director of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, says that’s one of the city’s biggest draws. “I ride up and down the roads, and next thing I know, they’ve cleared 200 acres for new housing,” she says. Gated golf communities like Brunswick Forest contain larger, contemporary properties priced from $700,000 to nearly $1 million.
Leland has traditional home styles with shaded porches and spacious yards.
Find spacious craftsman home styles with two-car garages in Leland.
Leland has modern home styles in charming neighborhoods with amenities for families.
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Exploring the Brunswick Nature Park
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources maintains six Leland green spaces and community centers. The eight-acre Founders Park, located toward the city center, features open expanses and over half a mile of paved multiuse paths. By 2025, the city hopes to grow traffic in the area with a new amphitheater and splash pad. Residents can go hiking or kayaking at the nearby 900-acre Brunswick Nature Park, also home to the annual Bands, Brews and BBQ event. Or they can watch the sunset from the Belville Riverwalk boardwalk, just a few miles east above the Brunswick River. “A lot of people who are moving here want to be close to the coast – you’re about a 30-minute drive from seven different beaches,” says Rob Warwick, a broker with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage who’s been living in the area for over a decade.
Leland locals love to take their mountain bikes for a ride on the trailhead at Burnswick Nature Park in Wilmington.
Leland families go to The Belville Riverwalk Park to explore the beautiful trails in Leland.
Wrightsville Beach is the perfect spot for Leland locals to rest and relax outdoors.
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Visiting breweries in the Gateway District
While Leland doesn’t include a designated “downtown,” the Gateway District near Town Hall has a tiny selection of locally owned breweries and restaurants. Westgate Marketplace, located in the city’s south end, features a mixture of oyster bars, restaurant chains and dozens of small businesses at Sandalwood Shoppes. “Ten years ago, you had to go to Wilmington for everything. The explosion of growth we’ve had means you don’t have to leave Leland for just the essentials anymore,” Warwick says.
Leland Brewing Company is a unique craft brewery and local hotspot with the best beer in Leland.
Westgate Marketplace in Leland has popular restaurants and shops for families.
Lowe's in Leland is a popular store locals go to shop for all of their home improvement needs.
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Post-grad education at University of North Carolina Wilmington
Leland is served by Brunswick County School District, which earns an overall B from Niche. All high school students also have the chance to enroll in tuition-free programs through the district’s partnership with Brunswick Community College in nearby Bolivia. For other post-grad plans, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is about 13 miles east. “UNCW has gotten extremely competitive over the years – you have kids flying in from all over the country to attend nowadays,” Warwick says.
South Brunswick High School in Southport is a public high school serving students in grades 9-12.
Brunswick Community College has many full-time undergraduates who live in nearby Leland.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public university with close proximity to Leland.
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Crime statistics and Leland's weather patterns
According to FBI statistics, both violent and property crime rates in Leland are nearly 50% lower than the national average.
Since it’s close to the coast, tropical storms are a reality for Leland residents. The city is part of the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management’s Resilient Coastal Communities Program, which better prepares coastal cities for natural disasters. Leland has nearly year-round warm weather, with extremely mild winters.
Catching rides on Wave Transit
Downtown Wilmington is roughly 9 miles east via U.S. 74, just over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, and Interstate 140 is accessible about 6 miles north of the city. Wilmington’s Wave Transit buses stop in Leland, and residents can schedule bus rides to neighboring cities like Belville and Southport with CXL Transportation Services. Novant Health Brunswick Forest Medical Plaza is a 3-mile drive south, and Wilmington International Airport is 11 miles northeast.
From fireworks at Southport to local artisan showcase in spring
The Leland Cultural Arts Center features musicals and comedy shows, along with art workshops for all ages. Every year, the center hosts the popular Spring Artisan Market. Leland is also the location of the widely known North Carolina Rice Festival, a four-day celebration of the region’s rice farming history and the cultivation of Gullah Geechee culture. Warwick says that some of the state's biggest events, such as the North Carolina 4th of July Festival in Southport, are within a 30-minute drive for Leland residents.
Written By
Kaitie Lamb
Photography Contributed By
Jon Puckett
Video By
Jaried Frogosa
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Leland, NC sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Leland, NC over the last 12 months is $380,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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