Best In North Carolina Real Estate™: Wilmington

Suffolk County, NY, is sending 55 fewer households to Wilmington than last year—more than any other county in the U.S. This data, drawn from ALEX Intelligence’s internal migration analysis, reveals a subtle but significant shift: Wilmington’s appeal as a relocation hub for high-income New Yorkers is waning. Yet, this is not a sign of decline—it’s a signal that the market is evolving. Just days later, Governor Roy Cooper designated three new Opportunity Zones across the Cape Fear region to incentivize investment in underdeveloped areas. This strategic move aligns with the migration trend, aiming to reposition Wilmington not as a retreat for the wealthy, but as a growth engine for inclusive development. How will these zones reshape the next wave of migration? What does this mean for long-term real estate value in the region? Let’s discuss. Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Slide 1: Idawriter (CC BY-SA 3.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=53876421; Slide 2: Farragutful (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=86133435; Slide 3: Donald (Donnie) Pardue from Sanford, North Carolina, USA (CC BY 2.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=15725695; Slide 4: Tnewman39 (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=48456376 Decline in Households Moving In, by Origin County, top 10 (ALEX Intelligence — U.S. Internal Revenue Service 2023) #1 Suffolk County, NY — -55 #2 Los Angeles County, CA — -45 #3 Wake County, NC — -43 #4 Orange County, NY — -41 #5 Mecklenburg County, NC — -33 #6 Montgomery County, MD — -33 #7 Ocean County, NJ — -31 #8 Middlesex County, MA — -28 #9 Robeson County, NC — -28 #10 Bergen County, NJ — -28 Source: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-11-06-wilmington-mig-trend-origin-asc View and join any or all of our communities — AI, quantum, and real estate: https://alex-companies.com/reports/linkedin-groups If there's an AI, quantum, or real estate community you'd like to see us convene, tell us — this portfolio grows by request. Real Estate Strategy & Intelligence Leader. Democratized Blue Ocean Strategist & Operator. Diane Hart Alexander, MBA, MHA Chair & CEO, ALEX Companies Designated Broker, Alexander Tiffany Southwest, LLC dba ALEX.realestate, et.al. Texas License #574877-B · Broker License #565194-BB [email protected] · +1 713.591.9902