Land Use Plan Update Environmental Resources & Constraints-1991 (2)

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Wilmington's-Forecast
Toda and Tomorrow
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City -of ,Wilmington
Office of Planning
;. CAMA Land Use Plan Update
Planner -in -Charge
. . Deborah E. Sheetenhelrn ,
Written and Edited By,
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Lucy ,C. Lynch,
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CAMA Intern
Brian Huneycutt
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L "ay out 9
:and Desi n
-" Deborah Haynes =
September 30, 1991 _' .
Revised January, 1992
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1 ,
The preparation of this document was financed in part through a
grant provided by. the North Carolina Coastal Management Program,
through,funds provided by the Coastal2one. Management Act of
1972,,as'amended, which is aciministeredby the Office of Ocean and
Coastal Resource Management; National Oceanic and'Atinospheric
Admuustrahon.
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CAMA
and you
Wilmington's Forecast
Today and Tomorrow

Contents
Population 1
Housing 7
Local Economy 11
Community Services 21
Appendix
Population Projections 27
Households 28
Facts at a Glance 29
Index
Tables/Figures 31
References 33

R
0 Introduction
R
Wilmington's Forecast, Today and Tomorrow is one of the
technical documents for the 1991 Coastal Area Management Act
(LAMA) Land Use Plan Update. This document assesses the
impact of growth in the Wilmington community since 1986. Iden-
tifying current conditions and area trends, it focuses on the pro-
jected population and infrastructure needs for the next decade. The
major objective of this study is to provide background information
necessary for determining policies for future land use and develop-
ment in the community.
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Population
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Wilmington has grown from 44,000 in 1980 to 55,530 as of April 1,1990. The average annual
rate of increase is 2.62%, however a significant amount of this increase can be attributed to
annexations (Area A and Area B) effective in 1985.
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Fable 1 Population Estimates and
Estimates 1980 1990
Wilmington 44,000 55,530
New Hanover County 103,471 120,284
North Carolina 5,874,429 6,628,637
Projections 2000 2010
Wilmington 62,365 67,994
New Hanover County 135,577 147,812
North Carolina 7,399,682 8,070,889
Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census, North Carolina Office of State Management &
Budget, and City of Wilmington Office of Plannmg.
The population for Wilmington, New
Hanover County, and North Carolina is
noted inTablel. NewHanoverCountyhas
grown at an average annual rate of 1.63%
from 1980 to 1990. The projected county
growth rate is 12.7% for the period 1990 to
2000. The State Data Center provides pro-
jectionsatthe county and state level but not
at the city level. The city's growth for the
next decade can be significantly altered by
annexations, changes in natural
increase, migration patterns, or economic
conditions.
O
Table 2 Rates of Growth
(Cape Fear Region)
Area
1970-80
1980-90
New Hanover
24.7%
16.3%
Brunswick
47.7%
42.5%
Columbus
8.7%
-2.8%
Pender
22.7%
29.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Table 3 Rates of Growth (City, County & Stare)
Area
1970-80
1980-90
1990-2000
Wilmington
-4.7%
26.2%
12.3%
New Hanover
24.7%
16.3%
12.7%
North Carolina
15.5%
12.8%
11.6%
Sauces: U.S. Census Bureau and NC Stare Data Center.
In Table 1 the city projections for 2000 and 2010 are derived as a percentage of the county
projections. If the city maintains its current46% share of the county population, it will grow
for the next ten years at an average annual rate of 1.23%. For the past five years the city has
grown at an average rate of less than one percent per year. The city will not maintain its
current share of the county population if it continues to grow at this slower rate (For more
detailed population projections, please see Table 20 in the Appendix.)
2

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Population Characteristics
Age Structure
As shown in the accompanying popula-
tion pyramids (Figure 1), the age distribu-
tion in 1990 for Wilmington shows that the
15 to 24 year old age group is the largest
accounting for 19% of the population, fol-
lowed by the 25 to 34 year old age group
accounting for 16%. The latter group in-
cludes the peak of the Baby Boomers born
in 1957. Baby Boomers are individuals
bom during the Post World War popula-
tion explosion,1946-1964.
Since 1985 the national birth rate has been
increasing. This is evident in the local
population as well. The number of
preschoolers (less than 5 years old) in-
creased by 23.5% from 1980 to 1990. There
is a small increase in the number of school
age children (5 to 19 years old) of 8.2%.
Young adults ages 20 to 24 years old have
increased by21.7%. This canbe attributed,
in part, to the increasing enrollment at the
University of North Carolina at
Wilmington and Cape Fear Community
College. This age group extends beyond
the traditional student (18 to 21 years old)
to include individuals who have extended
their college education, postponed their
education, returned for additional educa-
tion after working, or have gained employ-
ment in Wilmington after graduation.
The percentage of adults 35 years old and
older has increased from 43% in 1980 to
47%in1990. With thematuringof theBaby
Boomers (theyoungest will turn35 in 1999),
this group is projected to reach 53% by
2000. This group's significance stems from
its large size and economic impact.
The 35 to 64 year olds represent community
stability with a high rate of home owner-
ship. Likewise, this group leads consumer
spending with the highest share of house-
holds with discretionary income. Discre-
tionary income is the money people have
for spending after they have paid for hous-
ing, food, and other necessities.
The 65 year old and older age group has
increasedby41% since 1980. Thisagegroup
is subject to an increased risk of having
chronic health conditions and to requiring
personal assistance with everyday activi-
ties. The growth in the elderly population
will generally mean a corresponding in-
crease in demand for in -home and nursing
home services. Factors contributing to the
rise in this segment of the population in-
clude increased life expectancy, low birth to
deathratios, and the area'sincreasingpopu-
larity as a place for retirement.
i able 4 Aae Jtructure
1980 1990
Age Census Census
0-4
2819
3481
5-19
10493
11355
20-44
15460
22163
45-64
8980
9709
65+
6248
8822
Total 44000 55530
Source: US. Census Bureau.
3

The working age population (15 to 64 years
old) has increased by 28% since 1980. This
group accounts for 66% of the total popu-
lation. The working population supports
both the youth and elderly population by
paying for (tax base) and by providing the
various service needs. Based on this de-
pendency ratio, 66% of the population sup-
ports 34%. As the population matures
there will be more of a burden on the
working age group.
Figure 1 Population Pyramids
1990
Male , Female
65-74
55-64
45-54
35-44
25-34
15-24
5-14
<5
111098765432101234567891011
Percent of Population
4

Gender and Race
In addition to age distribution, the popula-
tion pyramid reveals gender representa-
tion. The relationship between genders
remains unchanged from 1980 to 1990;
women comprise 54.7% of the population
and men 45.3%. The genders start out rela-
tively equal, fluctuate slightly back and
forth until age 18, and then females out-
number males at an increasing rate. The
larger number of females is influenced by
natural and environmental factors. Envi-
ronmental factors include the predomi-
nantly female college population. Longer
female life expectancies are a consistent
Table 5 Gender and Race
natural factor. The average life expectancy
atbirth in 1987was 74.9 years, 78.3 years for
females and 71.5 years for males.
The racial mix of Wilmington has changed
slightly. The African American population
has increased in numbers but decreased in
overall percentage of the population. Afri-
can American minorities comprise 34% of
the population. This is almost three times
the national representation of 12%. Ameri-
can Indians, Asians, and other races repre-
sent 1% of the population. Nationally they
account for less than 4%.
1980
1990
Census
Census
RACE
White
26468
60.2%
36059
64.9%
Black
17264
39.2%
18815
33.9%
Other
268
0.6%
656
1.2%
GENDER
Male
19942
45.3%
25150
45.3%
Female
24058
54.7%
30380
54.7%
Source. U.S. Census Bureau.
5

Housing
Housing Characteristics
Smaller and less traditional households
were major trend of the 1980s. During the
1980s, Wilmington established 6,139 new
households, an increase of'35 percent. At
the same time, the total population grew
by 26 percent. Households can only grow
faster than the population when average
household size decreases.. Changes in
household composition and childbearing
patterns have a direct impact on average
household and family size.
Wilmington has a relatively small house-
hold size (2.26 persons per household in
1990). Thirty-three percent of households
include one person and thirty-five percent
are made up of two people. Household
size has b een decreasing steadily since 1960.
This can be attributed to trends toward
fewer children per family, delayed
childbearing, more single -parent families,
and fewer females of childbearing age.
Likewise, household size is affected as
households go through the life cycle.
Household composition changes as chil-
dren leave home and surviving spouses live
alone.
The two main types of households are fami-
lies and nonfamilies. A family household
has at least two people who are related by
blood, marriage, or adoption. Families ac-
count for 59% of all households in
Wilmington, compared to 71% nationally.
The fastest growing group is nonfamilies,
householders living alone or with
nonrelated individuals only. From 1980 to
1990 nonfamily households increased by
56% to a total of 9,654 households.
Family and non -family households can be
subdivided into female -headed households
and elderly -headed households. For more
information regarding these categories,
please see Tables 23 and 24 in the Appendix.
The household is the basic purchasing/con-
sumption unit for food, utilities, major ap-
Table 6 Average Household Size (Persons per Household)
1970
1980
1990
2000
Wilmington, NC
2.93
2.45
2.26
2.22
New Hanover County
3.08
2.69
2.43
2.38
North Carolina
3.24
2.80
2.54
2.34
United States
3.14
2.76
2.63
2.39
Sources: NC State Data Center and U.S. Census Bureau.
7

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planes, and most other products and ser-
vices. "Households headed bypeople aged
35 to 54 spend more than other households
on every major product and service cat-
egory except health care."' In Wilmington
this age group accounts for thirty-one per-
cent of all households. The increase in
households overall and the increase in dual
earner households indicates a period of
consumer affluence.
Tenure & Vacancy
Wilmington has a higher percentage of oc-
cupied housing units than New Hanover
County, predominantly because of the sea-
sonal beach communities located in the
county.
An increase in vacancy rate accompanied
with a decrease in building permit activity
Table 8 Value of Construction
Value of New Construction in Wilmington
Authorized by Building permits 1985-1990
in 1982 Dollars (000)
ilk
and home sales, indicates that
Wilmington'shousingmarketissaturated.
For the period 1985-1990, residential build-
ing permit activity peaked in 1989 with 925 0
new residential units permitted. This com-
pares to a lull in 1990 with 211 new residen- n
Table 7 Housing Characteristics
1970 1980 1990
Total 17,223 19,212 26,469
Occupied 15,639 17,418 23,557
Vacancy Rate 9.2% 9.3% 11.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Note: For 1970 & 1980 occupied housing units
include year-round housing units only, for 1990
occupied includes all housing units. Total housing
units account for year-round and seasonal housing.
1985
1986
1987
1998
1989
1990
Residential $ 25,371
$ 21,881
$17,044
$ 8,381
$ 26,585
$ 8,925
Non- Residential $11,038
$ 23,081
$14,769
$ 33,619 .
$ 31,354
$14,932
Total $ 36,490
$ 44,962
$ 31,813
$ 42,000
$ 57,939
$ 23,857
Source: New Hanover County Planning Department, Construction Activity Report, March, 1990.
'Margaret Ambry,'The Age of Spending," American Demographics, (November, 1990), p.16.
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Table 9 Tenure and Vacancy
1990
Occupied
23,557
Owner Occupied
11,099
Renter Occupied
12,458
Vacant
2,912
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
tial units permitted. Pending economic
recovery and absorption of existing units,
the market activity should increase but
probably will not reach the peak of the 80's
building boom for some time.
Homeownership rates increaseby age until
the retirement years. For example, 24% of
all 25 to 34 year old householders occupy
their own homes compared to 69% of all
householders age 55 to 64 years old. Home
ownership rates drop for householders who
Table 10 Tenure by Age of Householder
are 75 years old and older. Many elderly
peopleleave their homesbecause theyare
unable or unwilling to maintain them.
According to the U.S. Census, one-fourth
of the city's housing stock was over 40
yearsoldin1980. (Figures for 1990 are not
available at this time). Many residential
areas are composed of long-established
neighborhoods with houses built in the
early to mid-1900's and in the historic
districts structures date back to the mid-
1800's. In 1990 these neighborhood char-
acteristics are reflected by the large per-
centage of single family housing (57% of
all housing) and by the high occupancy
rate of single family housing (92% occu-
pied; 67% owner occupied).
Properties which are located within the
city's 1945 corporate limits provide his-
toric and architectural character as well as
challenges. While much of the city's older
housing is well preserved and maintained,
Occupied
Percent
Owner
Occupied
Percent
15-24 Years
2,486
10.6
117
1.0
25-34 Years
4,755
20.2
1,157
10.4
35-44 Years
4,376
18.6
2,062
18.6
45-54 Years
2,858
12.1
1,673
15.1
55-64 Years
3,003
12.7
2,074
18.7
65-74 Years
3,539
15.0
2,439
22.0
75+ Years
2,540
10.8
1,577
14.2
Total
23,557
100.0
11,099
100.0
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
9

there are several areas suffering from substandard housing conditions and inadequate
infrastructure. These areas are being addressed through the city's efforts to restore
neighborhood quality. Wilmington is an entitlement city for Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The city uses its allotment to rehabilitate or demolish substan-
dard housing and to improve streets, sidewalks, and utilities in targeted redevelopment
areas.
In 1987 the City and local Housing Authority created Wilmington Housing Finance &
Development,Inc., a nonprofit corporation intended to address the housing needs of low
and moderate income families. WHFD uses a variety of public and private funds to finance
housing rehabilitation and new construction. During the past three fiscal years, program
accomplishments include 152 units with loan amounts of $5,233,713.
In 1991 the Department of Housing & Neighborhoods was created to emphasize Wilmington's
residential neighborhoods. The department includes the Code Enforcement Division and
the Housing, Development & Rehabilitation Division of the former Planning & Develop-
ment Department. The department will utilize a comprehensive approach to deter neigh-
borhood decline by consolidating code enforcement activities within a single division. The
housing division will focus activities on the improvement of housing opportunities for
residents by preparing neighborhood plans, rehabilitating owner -occupied houses and
providing financial assistance to home buyers.
10

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Local Economy
Wilmington accounts for 32 square miles of
New Hanover County, which is only 185
square miles. New Hanover Countymakes
up the WilmingtonMetropolitanStatistical
Area (MSA). Therefore, it is difficult to
separate Wilmington from New Hanover
County. Muchof the infonnationpresented
in this section will be at the county level.
Despite the Wilmington MSA's small size,
it has a strong, diverse economy.
Wilmfngton's location on the Cape Fear
River and near the Atlantic Ocean heavily
influences its development and economic
wellbeing. Local amenities, historical char-
acter, and coastal attractions entice busi-
nesses and tourists to the area. A vital
economic asset is the local transportation
network providing access to intrastate, in-
terstate, and international markets. The
State Port, regional airport, and major high-
way network give Wilmington its regional
status.
Table 11 Per Capita Personal Income
Standard of Living
Wilmington seems to have a high standard
of living which can be justified by a high
level of personal income. Two measures
are listed in the following tables, Per capita
personal income and Median family in-
come.
Table 11 depicts per capita personal income
for the county in comparison to the state
and to the nation.
Per capita income is the average amount of
money per person in an area, regardless of
age or labor force status. The Wilmington
MSA exceeds the state in per capita per-
sonal income and is higher than any county
in the surroundingregfon. The high level of
personal income is indicative of the pre-
dominantly white-collar labor force, such
as skilled industry employees, government
personnel, professionals, and small busi-
ness owners.
Area
1980
1985
1989
New Hanover County
$8,320
11,919
15,896
North Carolina
$7,999
11,658
15,287
United States
$9,919
13,896
17,594
Source: U.S. Bureau of Econontic Analysis.

a
Table 12 provides a comparison of median
income (for a family of four) for the county,
state, and nation. Median income repre-
sents the level of income at which 50% of
the families in the area are above and 50%
arebelow. New HanoverCounty'smedian
income shows steady growth. In 1991,
New Hanover tied the state with an esti-
mated median income of $34,000.
Table 12 Median Income
Consumer affluence is generally consid-
ered positive, but it can inflate the cost of
living. Housing costs and the general cost
of living tend to be higher in Wilmington
than the surroundingareas, excludingbeach
communities.
Table 13 compares Wilmington to other
major cities in the state.
Area
1980
1989
1991
New Hanover County
$17,200
30,300
34,000
North Carolina
NA
30,200
34,000
Metropolitan
33,600
37,600
Nonmetropolitan
26,100
29,800
United States
$20,500
34,000
38,000
Source: HUD Office of Economic Affairs, Economic & Market Analysis Division.
Table 13 Cost of Living
Misc.
Composite
Health
Goods &
Index
Grocery
Housing
Utilities
Transp.
Care
Services
Asheville
1013
99.1
97.5
114.0
100.8
85.2
104.6
Burlington
98.2
94.2
1025
116.7
88.8
89.6
96.5
Charlotte
101.1
95.6
104.1
97.4
99.7
107.9
102.3
Fayetteville
98.9
97.1
90.1
1152
93.4
90.1
104.7
Hickory
101.8
97.0
1083
99.1
117.3
81.7
98.7
Raleigh
102.4
96.5
106.8
113.4
93.4
104.4
101.8
WILNIINGTON 1005
95.6
1053
110.8
99.4
923
98.5
Winston Salem
102.8
94.5
1072
106A
97.1
97.1
106.8
Source: Cost of Living Index, American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association,
Second Quarter 1990.
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According to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association's Cost of Living
Index for the second quarter of 1990, Wilmington has an overall cost of living of 100.5
compared to an average for all U.S. cities of 100.0. The composite index is derived from
weighted categories: groceries (17%), housing (22%), utilities (11%), transportation (13%),
health care (7%), and miscellaneous goods and services (30%).
Despite the high income levels overall, there are a significant number of individuals who
have low to moderate incomes. By HUD definition this means that moderate incomes are
50% to 80% of median income and low incomes are below 50% of median income. Most of
these people live within the inner city. Many live in public housing, utilize public transit,
and/orreceive some form of publicassistance. In198058%of city residentswere considered
to be in low or moderate income households.
While the 1990 Census data on poverty are not yet available, the poverty thresholds which
will beused for the 1990 Census poverty data are available. The average weighted threshold
Ofor a family of four is $12,675. This compares to the 1980 Census threshold of $7,412 for the
same family size.
Table 14
Poverty Status
Poverty Status - pending release of 1990 Census data.
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Civilian Labor Force
Historically, Wilmington's labor force has been characterized by low unemployment, but
like therestof the country, this area hasbeen affected by the economicrecession. Benchmark
data indicates a labor force of 68,140 people and an unemployment rate of 5.9% for 1991, up
from 4.2% in 1990. Figure 3 shows New Hanover's labor force for the period 1980 to 1990.
Unfortunately, these figures do not reflect the number of chronically unemployed.
Wilmington hasan estimated 830 discouraged workers (age 18 to 34) based on recent study
by the Mayor's Task Force on Unemployment. "Discouraged workers are defined as
unemployed persons who are not actively seeking work."Z There are an adequate number
of entry level job openings to meet the needs of most of these individuals. Improving the
economic well-being of the chronically unemployed is difficult because it requires more
than the availability of a job.
Figure 2 Civilian Labor Force
N ll.......,e.!`.,....w IA.. .... d...., 11
JVW {.G. li//yIf V�'//iL/Y JL{.W M� rV//YIYJJWI/.
=Mayor's Task Force on Unemployment, Final Report, June,1991.
14

O
Industry Employment by Place of Work
0
Labor Force statistics characterize the residents of the area with respect to employment or
unemployment. Work Force statistics characterize the number and type of jobs available in
the area. Members of the New Hanover County labor force may have jobs outside the
county. Likewise, the county's work force may include residents of other counties who
commute into New Hanover County for employment. Therefore, work force statistics
rather than labor force statistics are used to analyze industrial growth trends within the
county.
IN
In reviewing the work force data for the past ten year period, it is evident that total
employment is rapidly increasing. Illustrated in Figure 3, non -manufacturing employment
dominates the industrial work force. Manufacturing employment remains relatively
constant in absolute numbers, but is declining in relative share of the work force.
15

New Hanover County's total industry em-
ployment (manufacturing and non -manu-
facturing) has experienced significant
growth between 1979 and 1989. Total in-
dustry employment has increased by 40%,
from 43,580 workers in 1979 to 60,840 work-
ers in 1989. Non -manufacturing employ-
ment has increased from 76% of total indus-
trial employment in 1979 to 84% of indus-
trial employment in 1989. Manufacturing
has lost status from 24% in 1979 to 16% in
1989. Because of the high price and scarcity
of large tracts of undeveloped land in New
Hanover County, it is unlikely that any new
large manufacturing plant will locate here.
However, the large quantity of land at rela-
tively low prices in neighboring Pender and
Brunswick counties should attract indus-
Figure 4 Retail Sales (Fiscal Year July -June)
try. New Hanover Countycanbenefit from
this regional growth by providing support
services to nearby industry.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing has experienced frequent
fluctuations in growth. Overall it has de-
clined from 10,480 workers in 1979 to 9,450
workers in 1989. The chemical industry is
the leading manufacturing industry with
2,040jobsin 1989, or22% of manufacturing
employment. Traditional industries, such
as food, textiles, lumber and wood, have
not been as fortunate. These industries
reflect the general trend of decreasing work
forces attributed to economic and techno-
logical factors.
16

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Non -Manufacturing
The non -manufacturing sector has experi-
enced a positive growth trend indicating a
shift to a more service -oriented local
economy. The trade, government, and ser-
vice industries are the three dominant non -
manufacturing industries accounting for
63% of total employment. This sector's
trend of steady growth is expected to con-
tinue as Wilmington continues to grow as
a regio nal service and trade center f or south-
eastern North Carolina.
Wilmington offers a considerable amount
of variety in retail activity influencing 82%
of New Hanover County's total retail sales.
This variety attracts shoppers from smaller
communities in the surrounding area.
Wilmington's regional influence extends
to the surrounding eight county area.
Work force data includes industrial em-
ployment (manufacturing and non -manu-
facturing), agricultural employment, and
all othernon-agricultural employment. Ag-
ricultural and all othernon-agricultural em-
ployment include self-employed workers,
unpaid family workers, and domestic work-
ers in private households. Table 15 gives
the annual average employment by major
Standard Industrial Classification and the
corresponding percentage of total employ-
ment. The Employment Security Commis-
sion reported a total of 66,360 jobs in New
Hanover County in 1989; 60,840 or 92%
were considered industrial (manufactur-
ing or non -manufacturing).
0 Table 15 Industry Employment (New Hanover county,1989)
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Number
Work
Average Wage
Total
Employed
Force
per worker
Wages
M
i$)
M
Construction
18,640
6.40
& Mining
3,390
5.92
28,382
0.10
Manufacturing
9,450
14.24
25,997
22.2
Wholesale &Retail Trade
17,630
2657
10,364
13.8
Finance, Insurance,
& Real Estate
2,340
3.53
20,788
4.4
Service & Miscellaneous
12,860
19.38
16,554
17.8
Trans., Communications
& Public Utilities
3,590
5.41
22,178
7.0
Government
11,040
16.64
22,229
22.0
Other Non Agricultural
5,230
7.88
Agriculture
290
0.44
11,228
0.40
Total
66,360
100.0
100.0
O Note: Employment and wages insured wider the North Carolina Employment Security Law.
Estimated to represent 92% of all employment.
17

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Civilian Employment and Related Wages
Although earnings do not include all sources of income, wages are an indication of potential
purchasing power. The average annual wage per worker for 1989 was $18,488. Table 15
displays the amount of influence each local employment sector has in the total amount of
wages earned. In 1989 manufacturing and government made the largest contribution to total
wages.
Because manufacturing is declining as an employer, its important to note the relationship
between the size of the manufacturing sector in proportion to its percentageof total earnings.
Representing 14% of the total work force, manufacturing earned 22% of the total wages in
1989. On the other hand, retail trade workers representing approximately 23% of the total
work force generated only 14% of wages. It would require 25 retail workers to generate the
same wages as one manufacturing v orker. Even though retail trade and services willbe the
dominant factors in the local economy, it does not appear that the growth in employment will
be able to create an equal growth rate in wages.
Room Occupancy Tax serves as an indicator of the volume of tourism. According to figures
compiled by the Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, room tax receipts for the
year ending June 1991 were up nearly 14%, compared to the same period last year. Based on
1988 travel expenditures, thebenefit of tour-
ism to New Hanover County was more
than $252 million, ranking us seventh in Table 16 New Hanover County
North Carolina.
Industry Mix
New Hanover County has the largest con-
centration of industries in the Services, Re-
tail Trade, and Construction sectors. This
reflects the state's major industries as well.
However, the state has a lower percentage
of service and miscellaneous industries.
Room Occupancy Tax
Annual
Percent
Year
Collections
Increase
($)
M
1986/87
691,019
1987/88
933,705
35.12
1988/89
1,049,304
1238
1989/90
1,181,082
12.56
1990/91
1,144,630
13.85
0
Despite the low wages ut services overall, t
includes health, legal, education, technical,
and other professional services which have higher wages. Wilmington should encourage
these types of serviceindustries to help offset losses in manufacturing wages. Figures 5 and
6 illustrate the concentration of businesses in each classification. 0
18
0

Figure 5 New Hanover County Industry Composition (1989)
Ag., Forestry, &
Fishing Mining
1.66 % 0.08 %
Service & Misc.
35.18 %
Retail Trade
2533 %
Figure 6 North Carolina Industry Composition (1989)
2.38 %
Transportation, Comm.,
& Public Utilities
4A7 %
4.57 %
_Wholesale Trade
5.81 %
Finance, Insurance,
& Real Estate
8.00 %
Construction
12.44 %
Wholesale Trade
9.53 %
Retail Trade ������'��'�� Construction
23.86 % 13.08 %
19

Community Services
Continued growth will affect the demand
for existing community facilities and ser-
vices. The following section reviews the
impact of growth on the basic community
services provided by the city.
Water System
The CityofWilmington owns and operates
its water system. It is the only water system
in the county which utilizes surface water
as the source of supply. Raw water is
pumped from the Cape Fear River at King's
Bluff, about 23 miles northwest of the city.
The pumping station, situated above Lock
Table 17 Future Water Requirements
# 1, is free from possible salt water contami-
nation from the lower reaches of the river
estuary. Raw water is pumped from the
King's Bluff Station to the Sweeney Filtra-
tion Plant.
The Sweeney Water Treatment Plant is lo-
cated in the northwest section of the city on
theeasternbankof theNortheast Cape Fear
River. It is a conventional surface water
treatment plant with a capacity of 15 mil-
lion gallons per day (mgd). The average
daily demand is between 9 mgd and 10
mgd. However, the maximum demand is
over 14 mgd and could exceed the plant's
capacity in the next few years.
Average
Maximum
Year
Day Demand
Day Demand
(Millions of gallons per day)
Present
1988
89
14.2
Service
1993
11.3
18.0
Area
1998
12.8
20.3
2003
13.8
21.9
2028
16.5
25.7
Build Out
19.7
32.0
Expanded
1998
8.9
14.2
Service
1993
12.9
20.4
Area
1998
16.4
25.8
2003
19.4
30.8
2028
28.1
44.7
Build Out
41.0
69.0
Source: The Water System Master Plan report prepared by Black and Veatch. Inc.. March 1989.
21

In response to tougher federal water qual-
ity requirements and projected water de-
mand, the city has undertaken an upgrade
and expansion of the Sweeney WaterTreat-
ment Plant. On March 19, 1991, the resi-
dents of Wilmington approved a $38 mil-
lion Water Bond Referendum. The bonds
will fund an upgrade of the existing water
plant and a 10 mgd expansion of the plant,
the extension of a 15 mgd raw water line
parallel with U.S. Highway 421 and cross-
ing underneath the Cape Fear River; and
the constructionof across-townfeedermain
from the plant to 30th Street. Construction
is scheduled for 1993-95.
Sanitary Sewer System
The municipal sanitary sewerage collec-
tion system consists of 37 lift stations and
more than 250 miles of pipe. The wastewa-
ter flow is carried to either the James
Loughlin (Northside) Wastewater Treat-
ment Plant or the M'Kean Maffitt
(Southside) Wastewater Treatment Plant.
At both of these facilities, the wastewater
receives secondary treatment before it is
discharged into the Cape Fear River.
The M'Kean Maffitt (Southside) WWTP is
located on a 36 acre site on River Road near
the State Port Authority adjacent to the
Cape Fear River. Its capacity is 12 mgd;
with average flows greater than 7mgd. No
expansion of this facility is planned at the
present time.
The James A. Loughlin Wastewater Treat-
ment Plan is located on a 21 acre site on
North 23rd Street near the New Hanover
County Airport. The Northside plant has a
capacityfor 8 million gallons per day (mgd).
This upgrade was completed in March,
1991. The average daily flow to the plant is
5.35 mgd. The projected demand for treat-
ment capacity of this plant is 8 mgd by the
year 2008. In addition, the New Hanover
County sewer project may require 12 mgd
treatment capacity for a total flow of ap-
proximately 20 mgd.
The Upgrade/Expansion Evaluation con-
ducted by Black & Veatch recommends a
two phase expansionof theNorthside treat-
ment facility to 20 mgd. The first phase, in
approximately 5 years, will be a 6 mgd
expansion to increase the plant treatment
capacity to 14 mgd. The second expansion
is estimated to be required 10 years after
thefirstexpansion. This expansion(6mgd)
will increase the total plant to a 20 mgd
treatment facility.
Solid Waste Disposal
TheSolid WasteManagementDivisionpro-
vides residential waste collection, carrion
service, bulky item pick-up, collection of
recyclables, and refuse collection for busi-
nesses using 90-gallon rollout carts. Metal
items are sold for scrap. Burnable refuse is
taken to the New Hanover County incin-
eratorcogenerationsteamplant. The incin-
erated ash and unburnable refuse is taken
to the county sanitary landfill.
To reduce the amount of refuse taken to the
landfill, the city began a recycling program
in 1990. During the first year of operation,
8977 residents recycled 27.5 tons of alumi-
num, 401.7 tons of glass,105.5 tons of plas-
tic, 619.2 tons of newspaper, and 3638.3
tons of yardwaste.
22
0

Transportation
The Transportation Advisory Committee has authorized an update of the 1985 Thorough-
fare Plan. Data collection for this update began in November 1990, and the project is
expected to be completed in 1992.
For detailed information on the transportation network, please see the Transportation
Section of the Area Service Guide.
Table 18 compares traffic count data for the city's major roads for 1985 and 1990.
Table 18 Traffic Counts
Location
VPD
Date
VPD
Date
Change
Carolina Beach Road
Between Ivey & Momingside
24,999
4/86
24,702
5/90
-1.19
Between Raleigh & Sunnyvale
22,453
4/86
27,663
8/90
23.20
College Road
Between Randall & University
37,067
10/86
40,659
1/90
9.69
Between Oleander & Peachtree
36,070
1086
37,080
6/90
2.80
Dawson Street
Between 15th & 16th
17,152
11/86
20,328
1/90
18.52
Market Street
Between 18th & 17th
22,549
4/86
24,049
2/90
6.65
Oleander Drive
Between College & 42nd
27,131
1/86
28,458
5/90
4.89
Between Fordham &
Independence
26,113
9/86
30,620
9/90
17.26
Seventheenth Street
Between Glen Meade & Medical
N/A
28,551
6/90
Between Marsteller & Wright
13,342
12/86
11,9W
1/90
-10.28
Shipyard Blvd.
Between Independence & 17th
28,112
1086
31,002
5/90
10.28
Wrightsville Ave.
Between Colonial & Windsor
9,492
12/86
24,978
1/90
163.15
Between Dawson & Spofford
18,503
12/86
18,663
1/90
0.86
Between 53rd & Huntington
7,891
10/86
8,571
7/90
8.62
Note: VPD (Vehicles per day)
Source: City of Wilmington, Traffic Engineering Deparonent.
23

Police Protection
The Wilmington Police Department pro-
vides 24 hour-aday motorized preventa-
tive patrol and specialized patrols includ-
ing the K-9, walking, mounted, park and
neighborhood patrols. Officers duties in-
clude crime prevention, drug prevention
education, criminal investigations, vice/
narcotics investigations, emergency com-
munications, property and evidence con-
trol, crime scene processing, supervision of
community service workers, and parking
enforcement. For FY 1991-92, the
Wilmington Police Department has 189
authorized positions.
Performance for the WPD is measured by
fluctuations in reported serious crime (Table
19), and by percentages of the crimes that
are cleared (solved, unfounded, etc.). The
long term trend in the rise of serious crime
continued in 1990. After a slight decrease
in 1989, serious crime increased seven per-
cent. This isless than theprojected increase
in North Carolina. The Police Department
Table 19 Crime Rates (1985-1990
maintained the 31 % clearance rate for seri-
ous crimes which is above the state (25%)
and national (21%) rates.
The Institute for Law and Justice conducted
a Manpower Allocation Study of the
Wilmington Police Department. The pri-
mary objective of this study was to review
the operational procedures, work load, and
response times for the patrol and investi-
gative divisions and make recommenda-
tions for improvements. The outcome of
these recommendations should determine
if more manpower is necessary or if reallo-
cation can increase efficiency.
Fire Protection
The WilmingtonFireDepartment protects
the community from fire and hazardous
material related emergencies and mini-
mizes the loss of life and property from
emergency incidents through prevention,
Classification
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
Murder
11
7
6
5
5
Rape
30
28
37
21
55
Robbery
97
202
186
201
192
Assault
202
240
238
278
392
Burglary
1453
1729
1844
1745
1741
Larceny
3483
3818
3805
3624
3857
Auto Theft
267
273
262
272
349
Total
5543
6297
6378
6146
6591
Source: Wilmington Police Department.
24

0
0
inspections, suppression, and investiga-
tions. The department enforces the fire
codes and code compliance for both new
construction and existing businesses.
Except for a mutual aid agreement with
area volunteer fire departments, the de-
partment limits it fire protection service to
those areas within the Wilmington city lim-
its. The department has established a re-
sponse time standard of four minutes after
the initial request -for -aid. To accomplish
this goal, the department maintains six fire
stations strategically dispersed throughout
the city.
The Fire Department has a personnel roster
of 138 employees. By adding manpower
and creating a special response squad, the
department has maintained a Class 2 fire
protection rating. Plans to meet future
demand include building anew fire station
in the Pine Valley area. The station will be
necessary to maintain the 1 1/2 mile re-
sponse area based on the density of con-
struction and hydrant locations. This ex-
penditure is included in the Capital Invest-
ment Plan,1992-2001.
New Hanover County
Schools
The New Hanover County School District
n includes the entire county. There is not a
fL J( separate school district for the area within
the Wilmington city limits.
0
The number of school age children (ages 5
-19) hasdecreased 5.2% from26,030 in 1980
to 24,678 in 1990. The number of
preschoolers (less than 5 years old) has
increased by 10%. In five years, the in-
crease in preschoolers may push enroll-
ment above the 20,000 mark.
Table 20 shows school enrollment for the
number of pupils in public schools on the
10thday of the school year. In the last seven
years there has been a slight fluctuation in
the public school enrollment. Enrollment
appears to be on the rise. The figures in
Table 20 do not account for private schools.
The school system has developed a long
range plan Moving Toward the Year 2000: A
Strategic Plan toMakea Difference. The school
administration is condu sting a comprehen-
sive assessment of the current facilities:
systemwide to determine any future needs.
The recommendations from this assessment
are forthcoming.
Table 20 Public School Enrollment
(New Hanover County)
Date
Students
1985/86
19,318
1986/87
19,450
198788
19,252
1988/89
19,041
1989/90
19,047
1990/91
19,166
1991/92
19,382
Source: New Hanover County Board of
Education.

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Appendix
Population Projections
To determine the present rate of growth, it is necessary to review the growth patterns
for the previous decade.
Table 21 Annual Population Growth (City ofWibmington)
Year
Population
Change
1980
44,216
1981
43,506
-1.61%
1982
43,942
1.00%
1983
45,085
2.60%
1994
50,733
12.53%
1985
53,789
6.02%
1986
54,967
2.19%
1987
55,458
0.89%
1988
55,755
0.54%
1989
55,106
-1.16%
1990
55,712
1.10%
Source: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
Note: Estimates as of July 1st each year.
Note: Population figures for 1984 and 1985 reflect annexations of Area A
and Area B.
Listed below are population projections based on low, moderate, and high
growth rates. These projections account for natural increase and net migrations.
Table 22
Annual Growth Rates
Year
.75%
1.0%
1.25%
1990
55,530
55530
55,530
1991
55,946
56,085
56aU
1992
56,366
56,646
56,927
1993
56,789
57,213
57,639
1994
57,215
57,785
58,359
1995
57,644
58,363
59,088
1996
58,076
58,946
59,827
1997
58,512
59,536
60,575
1998
58,951
60,131 .
61,332
1999
59,393
60,732
62,099
2000
59,838
61,340
62,875
27

Households
Two subtypes of households are female -headed households and elderly -headed house-
holds. These households can be either family or nonfamily households.
Table 23 Female -headed Households
1980
1990
Family
No husband present
3,180
4,236
With related children
1,956
2,881
No related children
1,224
1,355
Nonfamily
Householder Living Alone
—
4,851
Householder Not Living Alone
—
910
All Female -headed Households — 9,997
Table Z4 Elderly -headed Households (Headed by uuuwauals bJ+)
1980
1990
Family (Gender not specified)
2,093
2,901
Nonfamily
2,265
3,178
Female -headed Households
—
2,581
Female -headed Households living Alone
2,522
Male -headed Households
—
597
Male -headed Households living Alone
551
All Elderly -headed Households
4,358
6,079
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
28
11

a
1990 Facts at a Glance
D
• Female -headed Households account for 42% of all households in Wilmington.
• Elderly -headed Households account for 26% of all households in Wilmington.
• Female -headed Family Households account for 31% of all family households in
aWilmington.
• Elderly -headed Family Households account for 21% of all family households in
DWilmington.
• Nonfamily, Elderly, Female -headed Householders account for 26% of all
n Nonfamily, Female -headed Householders.
• Nonfamily, Elderly, Female -headed Householders living alone account for 52%
of all Nonfamily, Female -headed Householders living alone.
Do
Note: These are independent statistics and do not add to a total of any subtype.
29

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� � �� Q � � � � � � � �� © © Q � � E

Index
Tables
Table 1
Population Estimates and Projections
1
Table 2
Rates of Growth (Cape Fear Region)
1
Table 3
Rates of Growth (City, County, and State)
2
Table 4
Age Structure
3
Table 5
Gender and Race
5
Table 6
Average Household Size
7
Table 7
Housing Characteristics
8
Table 8
Value of Construction
8
Table 9
Tenure and Vacancy
9
Table 10
Tenure by Age of Householder
9
Table 11
Per Capita Personal Income
it
Table 12
Median Income
12
Table 13
Cost of Living Chart
12
Table 14
Poverty Status
13
Table 15
Industry Employment by Place of Work
17
Table 16
Room Occupancy Tax
18
Table 17
Future Water Requirements
21
Table 18
Traffic Counts
23
Table 19
Crime Rates
24
Table 20
School Enrollment
25
Appendix
Table 21
Annual Population Growth
27
Table 22
Population Projections
27
Table 23
Female -Headed Households
28
Table 24
Elderly -Headed Households
28
Figures
Figure 1
Population Pyramids
4
Figure 2
Civilian Labor Force
14
Figure 3
Work Force Data
15
Figure 4
Retail Sales
16
Figure 5
Industry Composition New Hanover County
19
Figure 6
Industry Composition North Carolina
19
31

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© C.�

V
(� References
D
I
i�
Ambry, Margaret, "The Age of Spending", American Demographics,
(November,1990).
American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, Cost of
Living Index, Second Quarter 1990.
Black and Veatch, James A. Loughlin WWTP Upgrade/Expansion
Evaluation, Raleigh, July,1988.
Camp, Dresser & McKee, Review of City Water System Master Plan
Recommendations, Raleigh, October,1989.
Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, Room Occupancy
Tax Collections for New Hanover County,1991.
City of Wilmington, Adopted Budget 1991-92, June,1991.
City of Wilmington, Capital Investment Plan 1992-2001, January,1991.
City of Wilmington, Mayor's Task Force on Unemployment, Final
Report, June,1991.
City of Wilmington, Office of Planning, "Population and Economic
White Papers;' 1988.
Employment Security Commission, Civilian Labor Force Estimates
for North Carolina, 1989, May,1991.
Employment Security Commission, Employment and Wages in North
Carolina,1989.
New Hanover County Board of Education, Public School Enrollment,
1991.
New Hanover County Building Inspections Office, Monthly Building
Permit Reports,1990.
New Hanover County Planning Department, The Economy of New
Hanover County,1986 CAMA Land Use Plan Update, Report #2,
August,1985.
33

a
North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, North
Carolina Municipal Population,1980-1990.
North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, North
Carolina Population Projections:1988-2010, Raleigh, July,
1988.
a
�, J
University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Institutional
Research, gender representation of the student population.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Census Tracts,
1980 Census of Population and Housing, June,1983.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Metropolitan
Housing Characteristics,1980 Census of Housing, October,
1983.
Q (�
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census,
Characteristics of the Population,1990.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Per
Capita Income,1989.
a
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Median
Family Income,1991.
a
34