Wilmington, North Carolina, is a city by the coast known for its interesting past, lively culture, and diverse community. It’s a well-liked spot for tourists, featuring attractions like the Cape Fear River, the USS North Carolina Battleship, and Wrightsville Beach.
Yet, similar to many cities, Wilmington faces challenges, especially regarding crime and safety. In this article, we’ll look into the five neighborhoods in Wilmington with higher crime rates, using statistics, data, and local viewpoints.
Hillcrest
This neighborhood in the northwest part of Wilmington has a high rate of violent crime, and locals suggest avoiding it. Hillcrest is close to the Cape Fear River and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW).
The area has a mix of old homes, apartments, and townhouses, along with some commercial and industrial zones. Hillcrest has attractions like the Riverwalk, Wrightsville Beach, and the UNCW campus.
Several parks, including the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, Children’s Museum of Wilmington, and New Hanover County Arboretum, can be found in Hillcrest.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Durham, North Carolina
Houston Moore
This area is in the southwest of Wilmington, near the Southside Shopping Center and Southport Mall. It has mostly shorter apartment buildings and townhouses, along with some single-family homes.
Houston Moore has a playground, a basketball court, and a community center for residents. It’s conveniently located near schools like Alderman Elementary School, John T. Hoggard High School, and Myrtle Grove Middle School.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Safest Neighborhoods in Knox County, Tennessee
West Wilmington
This area is in the western part of Wilmington, close to the Mayfaire Shopping Center and The Forum at Riverwalk. You can find different types of homes here, like apartments, condos, townhomes, and single-family houses.
In West Wilmington, you’ll find amenities like a saltwater pool, a fire pit area, a fitness center, and a yoga center. There are also several restaurants and bars nearby, such as Blue Surf Café, Blue Surf Arboretum West, The Pines of Wilmington, and Barclay Place Apartments.
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Downtown Wilmington
This neighborhood is in the middle of Wilmington’s historic district by the Cape Fear River. Unfortunately, it faces issues like drugs and homelessness, leading to a higher crime rate, especially property crimes like theft and burglary.
Despite these challenges, the area has attractions like museums, making it interesting for both visitors and residents. Downtown Wilmington is also famous for its nightlife, featuring live music venues like The Wilson Center, The Dock Street Theatre, and The Grand Opera House.
Read More: This City Has Been Named the Murder Capital of North Carolina
Northwest Wilmington
This place has the fewest crimes each year, just 349 cases. However, there are not many people living here, so even though there aren’t many crimes overall, the crime rate per person is still high.
This neighborhood is in the northwest of Wilmington, close to the UNCW campus. There are mostly apartments here, but some houses too. Northwest Wilmington has things like a gym with an indoor pool, a clubhouse with an outdoor pool, a pet spa, and places to park on-site.
Read More: This City Has Been Named the Cheapest Place to Live in New Jersey
Final Words
In summary, Wilmington, North Carolina, is a city with a mix of good and bad aspects. Some neighborhoods are safe and quiet, while others have issues with crime and violence. However, this doesn’t mean the troubled areas lack charm, culture, or attractions.
On the contrary, each neighborhood has its unique qualities that make it interesting, as long as you stay cautious and aware of your surroundings.
Being informed about the facts and statistics of these areas helps you make smart choices about where to live, work, or visit in Wilmington. This way, you can enjoy the best the city has to offer without compromising your safety.
