Improving Business in the Wilmington Region
Government Structure
New Hanover County
Founded in 1759, New Hanover County is located in the tidewater section of southeastern North Carolina. The county’s land area is 198 square miles. With a 2020 certified population of 236,690, New Hanover County is the second most densely populated county in the state. The City of Wilmington is the largest municipality in the county with a 2020 certified population of 126,000, and also serves as the county seat. Other incorporated cities within New Hanover County include Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
New Hanover County operates under the commission/manager form of government. The Board of Commissioners is made up of five members who are elected on a partisan basis for staggered four-year terms. The County Board holds legislative and policy-making authority, and is responsible for adopting the annual county budget. The County Board is responsible for hiring the County Manager, who is responsible for implementing policies adopted by the Board, implementing the budget, and managing the daily fiscal and operational affairs of the County government. New Hanover County’s local government services include but are not limited to fire protection, law enforcement, emergency medical services, animal control, planning and land use management, public health, parks and recreation, social services, public libraries, mental health, register of deeds, tourism development, natural resource management, and solid waste management.
Each municipality in New Hanover County is also governed by an elected governing board including a mayor and board members who serve staggered terms. As well, each municipality provides a variety of local government services within its jurisdiction including but not limited to public utilities, solid waste management, parks and recreation, law enforcement, and public works. Each municipality employs a city or town manager/administrator responsible for implementing municipal laws, policies and the budget, and managing the daily fiscal and operational affairs of the city or town government.
New Hanover County
City of Wilmington
Wrightsville Beach
Carolina Beach
Kure Beach
Pender County
Founded in 1875, Pender County’s land area is 871 square miles making it one of the largest counties in land area in the state. Pender County’s has been one of the fastest growing counties in the state over past two decades, with a 2020 certified population of 63,949. The County is a diverse one dominated by a rural and agricultural economy in the northern and western areas of the county, and tourism and beach communities in the eastern area of the county. The Town of Burgaw serves as the county seat. Other incorporated cities within Pender County include Atkinson, Watha, St. Helena, Surf City, and Topsail Beach.
Pender County operates under the commission/manager form of government. The Board of Commissioners is made up of five members who are elected on a partisan basis for staggered four-year terms. The County Board holds legislative and policy-making authority, and is responsible for adopting the annual county budget. The County Board is responsible for hiring the County Manager, who is responsible for implementing county laws and policies, implementing the budget, and managing the daily fiscal and operational affairs of the County government. Pender County’s local government services include but are not limited to public utilities fire protection, law enforcement, emergency medical services, animal control, planning and land use management, public health, parks and recreation, social services, public libraries, mental health, register of deeds, tourism development, natural resource management, and solid waste management.
Each municipality in Pender County is also governed by an elected governing board including a mayor and board members who serve staggered terms. As well, each municipality provides a variety of local government services within its jurisdiction including but not limited to public utilities, solid waste management, parks and recreation, law enforcement, and public works. Each municipality employs a city or town manager/administrator responsible for implementing municipal laws and policies, implementing the budget, and managing the daily fiscal and operational affairs of the city or town government.
Pender County
Burgaw
St. Helena
Atkinson
Surf City
Topsail Beach
Town of Watha
