Census: Wilmington shows slight growth

Despite its slow recovery from the Great Recession, Wilmington continues to grow.

The Port City’s population grew 1.7 percent, to 108,297 residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. 

The Census this week released its 2011 population estimates for the nation’s larger areas.

It’s the first update since the official 2010 Census released in April, which recorded 106,476 people residing within the city limits of Wilmington.

Overall, Wilmington’s growth rate was on par with a number of other large North Carolina cities, and currently ranks as the state’s eighth-largest city.

But it was Cary and Raleigh, respectively, that received the Census’ designation as the ninth and tenth fastest-growing large cities in the nation. Estimates show Cary grew an impressive 3.2 percent, while Raleigh’s growth was clocked at 3.1 percent.

Durham edged out Winston-Salem to be the Tarheel State’s fourth-largest city, and the Queen City of Charlotte added more residents than any other North Carolina city, despite having a growth rate of 2.6 percent.

With the exception of Atlanta, Denver, Tampa, Fla., Alexandra, Va. and New Orleans, North Carolina and Texas cities dominated the Census Bureau’s list of the 15 fastest-growing large cities in the nation.

Check out the table below of where the state’s top 10 cities rank, along with their July 2011 population estimates: 

Rank/N.C. City     July 2011     April 2010
1) Charlotte          751,087       731,424   
2) Raleigh             416,468       403,892   
3) Greensboro      273,425       269,666   
4) Durham            233,252       228,330   
5) Winston-Salem 232,385       229,617   
6) Fayetteville       203,945       200,564   
7) Cary                 139,633       135,234   
8) Wilmington     108,297       106,476   
9) High Point        105,753       104,371   
10) Asheville           84,458        83,393