Myrtle Grove is in the Masonboro Sound
Part of the Masonboro Sound Area of Wilmington, Myrtle Grove is a census-designated place of close to 11,500 residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. The intersection of College Road and Carolina Beach Road appears as Myrtle Grove Junction on a map but is locally known as Monkey Junction. The name comes from the pet monkeys kept by the owners of a gas station in the late 1930s to the mid-70s. “When people would take trips to Fort Fisher, they’d stop and say, ‘let’s go to the gas station where the monkeys are,’” says Jan Roggeman, a Realtor with 1st Class Real Estate Coastal Choice who has lived in Wilmington for 10 years.
Subdivisions with new construction
Homes on the east side of Myrtle Grove are located close to the Sound. “There are a lot of little roads that shoot off with developments that lead to the water where a lot of folks have boats and docks,” Roggeman says. The community's median single-family home price is $550,000. Townhouses in the area range from $225,000 to over $1 million. Wood Duck is a leafy subdivision with many homes built in 2023 and 2024. Woods Edge is made up of multiple smaller subdivisions with new traditional homes. The Intracoastal Waterway neighborhood offers custom-built waterfront properties that start at over $1 million.
New Hanover County offers school choice
New Hanover County Schools serves Myrtle Grove and the greater Wilmington area. It earns an A-minus on Niche. School zones vary greatly in Myrtle Grove, and some students attend A-minus-rated Hoggard High while others go to B-rated Ashley High. The district offers school choice through a lottery system for students wanting to attend year-round and magnet schools outside of their zone. Myrtle Grove Christian School is a private option for kindergarten through Grade 8. University of North Carolina Wilmington is less than 10 miles from Myrtle Grove.
Between two Wilmington beaches
Myrtle Grove is between Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach, which locals say has two very different vibes. “Wrightsville Beach is a barrier island,” Roggeman says. “It’s about 4 miles long of just tip to tip. It’s a smaller beach, but it’s a packed beach.” Masonboro Island isn’t accessible by car; it is only accessible by boat. If Myrtle Grove residents don’t have a private boat ramp, they can find public ones near the beaches. Taking a ferry is another option. Hanover Pines Nature Park is a passive park with minimal development. Pet owners can use the dog park or walk along the roughly 1-mile trail.
Shopping and dining in Monkey Junction
The Myrtle Grove area of Wilmington is known for its shopping and dining options, including pubs, grocery stores and major retailers. They tend to be along Carolina Beach Road, away from the more residential sections of Myrtle Grove. Some businesses, like Junction 421, are named after Monkey Junction, such as Celtic Monkey Irish Pub. “There aren’t a lot of industries and job opportunities here,” Roggeman says. “Wilmington is a very entrepreneurial spot with a lot of mom-and-pop shops and people who are self-employed.”
Biking on the Masonboro Loop
U.S. Route 421, also known as Carolina Beach Road, is one of the busiest thoroughfares in Wilmington and makes up Myrtle Grove’s western border. Masonboro Loop Road is a bike and pedestrian-friendly way to get to the area. “You’ll come down the Main Road, Masonboro Loop Road, into Myrtle Grove, and it will bring you all the way down, running parallel with Masonboro Island,” Roggeman says. Wilmington International Airport is about 12 miles away on U.S. Route 421 South. Wave Transit buses stop in the Monkey Junction area.
Crime
The Wilmington Police Department regulates Myrtle Grove. From 2022 to 2023, violent crime in Wilmington decreased by almost 5%, and property crime increased by just over 33%.
