Central Wilmington community home to college students and professionals
The aptly named North College neighborhood sits about 2 miles north of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). This bustling community is a mix of homes, apartments, hotels and shopping centers. “It’s a very central location to get to where you need to be,” says Kraig Marquis, a broker with Keller Williams Innovate. “If you’re a professional, you can live there and work downtown or Wrightsville Beach. You can jump onto I-40 very easily.” Marquis, a Wilmington resident since 2007, adds that the neighborhood is popular for students looking for off-campus housing. Average home prices here are significantly below the July 2024 Wilmington area average of $557,000.
Downtown Wilmington is just 3 mlles from North College.
Three Friends Coffee is where North College residents meet for coffee.
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The neighborhood is home to Wilmington’s only Target
Residents can shop for essentials in the neighborhood at Target, Costco Wholesale and Walmart Supercenter. University Centre is less than two miles away, featuring dozens of national retailers from Lowe’s Home Improvement and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet to Old Navy and Petco. Several grocers are in the area, including Lowes Foods and Food Lion. As for restaurants, Marquis notes a wide variety of chain restaurants line Market Street. “We’re in the south. A Chik-Fil-A is right there on the corner,” he says. Three Friends Coffee, a vibrant kid-friendly coffee shop, and Buen Dia Mexican Breakfast & Lunch, decorated with colorful mosaic tiles, are two new local restaurants in North College. Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a longtime Wilmington staple drawing in diners for its wide variety of freshly caught fish. Rosalie's Trattoria is a relaxed spot for Italian fare. UNCW students are known to pack the bar at Might As Well Bar & Grill.
North College shares Wilmington's only Target with nearby neighborhoods.
There are many national retailers conveniently located in the North College area.
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Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve is a living laboratory
In the heart of UNCW’s campus is the Herbert Bluethenthal Memorial Wildflower Preserve, a 10-acre forest home to native plants and wildlife. Students, residents and tourists step along its quiet nature trails to reach a small pond where they can spot turtles popping up from below the water’s surface. The preserve is used as an outdoor classroom for students who can be seen identifying trees, taking soil samples and caring for the flower beds. Residents can drive to Maides Park, which features multiple athletic fields and courts, a pollinator garden and picnic shelters. Originally the site of a peanut farm, the park is now home to Derick G.S. Davis Community Center and will soon have an accessible playground.
Herbert Bluethenthal Memorial Wildflower Preserve offer a beautiful place for a walk.
Students use Herbert Bluethenthal Memorial Wildflower Preserve for educational lessons.
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Ranch-style homes and condos surrounded by trees
Along the neighborhood’s wide streets, single-level ranch-style homes and raised ranch-style homes from the 1970s sit on spacious lots modestly landscaped and shaded by mature trees. With no HOA, each home looks different from the next. Siding materials vary from brick and stone to vinyl and wood panels. Covered front porches, attached garages and privacy fencing are common. Prices range from $250,000 to $350,000. Condos from the late 1990s and early 2000s comprise most of the housing available in the neighborhood. The Cornerstone Condominiums and Cape Cottages communities feature two- and three-bedroom units with electric fireplaces, walk-in closets and assigned parking spaces. Residents can relax on small, covered patios or dip in the community pool. Monthly HOA fees are around $300. Marquis says students and young professionals often buy these units, which cost between $150,000 and $235,000.
Many North College residents live in condos and apartments.
Ranch style homes in North College sell in the $200,000 range.
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A brand new College Park Elementary
College Park Elementary earns a B-minus from Niche. Dating to the 1960s, the original building was torn down and replaced, officially reopening in 2019. The new school features bright colors and a covered outdoor classroom. M.C.S Noble Middle receives an A-minus and is ranked the second-best public middle school in New Hanover County. The school offers unique electives in business education, biotechnology and coding. New Hanover High School gets a B-plus and offers multiple language classes, such as Spanish, Mandarin and French. The private Wilmington Christian Academy and Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington, an all-girls charter school, are nearby alternatives. UNCW, the city’s largest university, is an option for graduates. “UNCW is a big employer for the area. It’s known for its strong nursing and MBA programs,” says Leigh Saunders, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caroline Premier Properties. Saunders, who lives near UNCW, adds that the school is launching a new bachelor’s degree program for Workforce Learning & Development. It aims to help skilled professionals who want to teach their trade but don’t have a degree.
The entrance to College Park Elementary School
New Hanover High School
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Easy Access to Interstate 40
Several major thoroughfares hug the neighborhood. Martin Luther King Junior Parkway (U.S. Route 74) makes for quick drives to downtown Wilmington and Wilmington International Airport, both about 5 miles away. College Road connects to Interstate 40 for trips to Raleigh. Marquis says the neighborhood’s distance from UNCW has an added benefit for students with cars. “If you live outside a 1-mile radius of the campus, you can get a parking pass to park on the campus. If you live a quarter of a mile away, they want you walking or riding your bike.” Cyclists can use the bike lanes on North Kerr to reach the Cross City Trail, a multi-use path system connecting destinations across Wilmington. Residents can walk to Forden Station to catch a Wave Transit or Greyhound bus.
MLK Parkway connects North College with nearby communities.
Forden Station makes commuting to and from North College a breeze.
GreatSchools:
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mary-Kathryn Smith,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,409
Median Age
30
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$72,115
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,424
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
41.7%
Advanced Degrees
4.3%
% Population in Labor Force
78.5%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
64''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
35/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
23/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
39/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
