Riverlights
Neighborhood in Wilmington, North Carolina
New Hanover County 28412
Luxury townhouses, Craftsman cottages and custom builds
Properties in Riverlights are organized around the neighborhood’s center lake. Picture-perfect rows of coastal-colored Craftsman and New Traditional homes rest on neatly landscaped lawns lined with sidewalks. Single-family home prices start in the $400,000s. “There’s a little bit of everything: townhouses and cottages, and then you’ve got the million-dollar homes on the water,” says Roels, who has lived in the area since 2014. She notes that the only drawbacks are yard size and the wait time for a home to hit the market. Derek Criscitiello, an agent with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, agrees. “Homes hardly ever become available. There’s a five-month wait time, and they’re selling sight unseen,” explains Criscitiello, who lives in downtown Wilmington. Riverlights has an age-restricted subdivision, Del Webb, a 55-plus retirement community. Rentals are also available, from detached cottages to lofts in the quaint Marina Village and luxury apartments at the Oasis at Riverlights. Properties here come with a homeowner’s association, with monthly fees varying from $135 to $602. Buyers should note that properties close to the Cape Fear River have a risk of flooding and strong winds, especially during the June-November storm season.
Relax on a hammock in Live Oak Commons
Live Oak Commons is a mini oasis of towering oak and pine trees with a stretch of lawn in the middle. Residents can unwind in the shade on a hammock as a cool breeze from the Cape Fear River flows through the trees. The summer song of cicadas dampens the sound of cars whizzing by on River Road. Ember Park is a community gathering space featuring brick firepits regularly lit up in the fall for s’mores under the stars. It’s connected to the riverside boardwalk that leads to a pier and dock for fishing, boating and paddle boarding. Over at the 38-acre Riverlights Lake, the turquoise water is surrounded by wild grasses. A gravel path crunches under residents' feet as they take morning walks and jogs. A natural wildlife habitat, the lake cannot be used for fishing, but residents can paddle around in kayaks and canoes, hoping to spot turtles and blue herons. The Lake House features an outdoor pool with a twisting water slide, a fitness center and an indoor gathering space.
Athletics and pop culture at New Hanover High
The New Hanover County School district earns an overall A-minus rating from Niche. Mary C. Williams Elementary School earns a B rating and is located right outside of Riverlights. Myrtle Grove Middle School and New Hanover High School both have B-plus ratings. Open since 1922, New Hanover High has been featured in several TV shows and movies. Its gymnasium was used for a scene in an episode of “One Tree Hill,” a drama series primarily shot in Wilmington in the early 2000s. Along with its pop culture past, the school has a highly competitive athletics department, winning over two dozen state championships in various sports, from football and basketball to golf and tennis. Riverlights is also near several private schools, including Innovative Academy, Myrtle Grove Christian and Coastal Christian High School.
Bike along River Road
River Road is the main thoroughfare in Riverlights. The softly curving boulevard is adorned with pines, magnolias and flower beds. With marked bike lanes and a speed limit of 25 miles per hour, the street is considered a “road biking mecca” by the local cycling community, according to Brad Paluso, the shop mechanic and manager at Shore Break Bikes in Marina Village. The walkability is also a draw, says Roel: “People are drawn to neighborhoods where they can feel safe walking around, walking the dogs and taking a bike ride and not having to drive there to get it.” Riverlights is about 7 miles south of downtown Wilmington and 10 miles north of Carolina Beach, with U.S. Route 421 (Carolina Beach Road) nearby.
Eat, shop and play in Marina Village
Marina Village is the community’s quaint shopping and dining district, featuring small businesses, some owned by Riverlights residents. “We are so lucky to have great restaurants. Smoke On the Water and Girls with Dough are very popular. The food at Getaway Café is so good,” gushes Tera McCrary, a Wilmington native and Riverlights resident since March of 2022. Smoke On the Water pairs elevated seafood fare with views of the Cape Fear River, while pizza and pasta are on the menu at Girls with Dough. The Getaway Café and Provisions is the buzzing brunch spot for made-to-order sandwiches, bowls and salads. Shops like Kasa Mercantile feature unique clothing and décor. Southern Shores Craft Beer & Wine has coveted brews and several taps for on-site pours. In the evenings, Club Golf Indoor offers drinks and virtual rounds of golf with three full-swing simulators. A new Harris Teeter on nearby Independence Boulevard offers more than the traditional grocery store experience: “They have a little bar inside, and they serve beer, and they have live entertainment as well,” Roels explains. Further down Independence is The Pointe, a shopping plaza anchored by a movie theater, chain restaurants and national fitness brands.
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Kris Bates
Video By
Chris Norton
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Jaci Ponzoni
Jaci Ponzoni
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage-CB
(910) 877-8690
32 Total Sales
1 in Riverlights
$469,500 Price
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Amanda Gonzalez
Amanda Gonzalez
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
(916) 345-2697
35 Total Sales
1 in Riverlights
$404,000 Price
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Chris Creekmore
Chris Creekmore
eXp Realty
(910) 713-1784
217 Total Sales
1 in Riverlights
$689,090 Price
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Jessica Wainwright
Jessica Wainwright
Live Love Brunswick
(910) 408-7085
182 Total Sales
1 in Riverlights
$565,314 Price
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Rob Warwick
Rob Warwick
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
(910) 807-7356
394 Total Sales
3 in Riverlights
$449K - $754K Price Range
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Matt Jones
Matt Jones
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage-Hampstead
(910) 407-7261
374 Total Sales
1 in Riverlights
$581,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
River Road Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Riverlights | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 2 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 2 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Riverlights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Riverlights, Wilmington sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Riverlights, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $546,764, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$557,020
Median Sale Price
$546,764
Median Single Family Sale Price
$575,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$425,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
217
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$265
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,197
Number of Homes for Sale
72
Median Year Built
2021
Months of Supply
4.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,239
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,950
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 2112 - 2pm
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Saturday, Jun 2111am - 1pm
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Sunday, Jun 222 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
$1,531 - $2,485 per month
- Oasis at Riverlights
- 1-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 676+ Sq Ft
- 4027 Watercraft Ferry Ave
- Wilmington, NC
-
-
$1,364 - $2,423 per month
- Argento at Riverlights Apartments
- 1-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 805+ Sq Ft
- 420 Angler Dr
- Wilmington, NC
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,224
Median Age
48
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$59,320
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,815
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
46%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.5%
% Population in Labor Force
69.6%
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®
22
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1
/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Echo Farms-Rivers Edge
Established Wilmington suburb featuring new homes built on shuttered golf course
Carriage Hills
Centrally located Wilmington neighborhood with a clubhouse and nearby shopping
Pine Hollow
A growing community anchored by Wilmington’s Monkey Junction
Beau Rivage
Where backyards are fairways and golf carts park beside cars
Longleaf Park
Industrial vibes on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington
Barclay West-Hanover Heights
Ranch-style homes fill this neighborhood, featuring the new Pointe at Barclay mall
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