Cape Fear NC
Cape Fear is synonymous with beaches, easy living and a lifestyle that some say arguably is the best in the state. Opportunities for work or vacation might bring folks to the region initially, but it’s the lifestyle that keeps them here.
Cities and towns such as Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach lure visitors to New Hanover County. Brunswick County has its share of tourism draws with Holden Beach, Oak Island, Southport and more. Neighboring Pender County showcases Surf City, Burgaw and other unique destinations.
Students in the Cape Fear region attend Cape Fear Community College, Coastal Carolina Community College, UNC-Wilmington (UNC-W), Brunswick Community College and other surrounding institutions. School age children attend top rated school systems in each county.
Wilmington and the Cape Fear region have a diverse economy, with opportunities in tourism, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, service, construction, marine sciences, film industry, and more. Onslow County’s economic base is largely military due to Camp Lejeune. Pender and Brunswick share a tourism based economy, including agri- and eco-tourism.
Healthcare is important to the outdoors minded population. The region has exceptional choices with New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) which serves patients with hospitals, diagnostic and rehabilitation locations throughout the area including the main NHRMC campus.
This is also where the Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Behavioral Health Hospital, Rehabilitation Hospital and Cape Fear Hospital, are located. Affiliate hospital Pender Memorial in Burgaw and the Naval Hospital on the Camp Lejeune base serve surrounding counties. Brunswick County is served by Brunswick Community Hospital and Dosher Memorial Hospital.
Tim Milam, President and CEO of Sea Coast Realty Coldwell Banker, has enjoyed living in Wilmington for years with his family. “All ages are attracted here,” said Milam. “With UNC-Wilmington and Cape Fear Community Colleges right here in town, we see many students who come as a student and decide to stay after they graduate. Retirees still view the Cape Fear area as a very attractive place to live."
“They enjoy the good proximity to the medical facilities, golf courses, and many other cultural offerings we have in the area. We are very fortunate to have great local companies such as GE, PPD and Corning among a few, who offer tremendous employment opportunities. The area is just a wonderful place to raise a family with very good school systems.”
For many, lifestyle begins with the beaches, which are plentiful in the region. An exquisite oasis awaits those who are lucky enough to cross the bridge to Figure Eight Island, just eight miles from Wilmington, where a private, seaside paradise with sparkling blue waters and miles of sandy white beach awaits. The special beach delights beach combers, water sport lovers, and nature lovers. Its privacy attracts senators and well-known figures such as Andy Griffith, who is a property owner.
Sports enthusiasts discover ideal conditions for everything from kayaking and windsurfing, boating, swimming, biking, and many other surf and turf activities in Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrighstville.
Brunswick County boasts of a multitude of beaches to choose from: Holden Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach, Ocean Isle, Southport, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shore, Leland, Calabash, and more. Holden Beach is a prominent destination that has been voted one of the best family beaches in the U.S.
Sunset Beach received its name from the beautiful sunrises and sunsets that can be seen from the island due to its unique southern exposure. The beach also features Bird Island, an undeveloped and secluded island. Golf courses, a planetarium, and other activities round out the offerings.
Oak Island is the largest beach community in North Carolina and features the largest commercial district of all the Brunswick County islands. This island offers more than 50 public beach accesses, several boat ramps, recreational areas and a skate park.
Light house aficionados will want to see Old Baldy lighthouse and Oak Island lighthouse. Located on Bald Head Island, Old Baldy is accessible only by powerboat or a pedestrian ferry. The Oak Island light house on Caswell Beach is home to the second brightest light in the world. For a not-to-miss festival in the county, try the annual North Carolina Oyster Festival in Ocean Isle.
Don’t leave Brunswick County without a stop at the quaint seaside village of Southport where 200-year-old live oaks overhang cobblestone streets in the historic downtown area.
Aside for beaches, the region is well known for U.S. Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune in Onslow County. Camp Lejeune is billed as “the world’s largest and most complete amphibious training base. The military installation houses six Marine commands, two Navy commands, and one Coast Guard command, including other divisions, special operations, and the Naval Hospital. The economy in the county is largely stimulated by the military presence followed by tourism, service, and other industries.
Jacksonville is a hub of the county with the military installation as well as being a Mecca for shopping, sporting activities and festivals. New live theatre in Jacksonville Legacy Theatre and an active Council of Arts round out culture offerings.
The neighboring town of Swansboro, “the friendly city by the sea,” pays tribute to the military installation with its renowned Camp Lejeune Memorial Gardens. The gardens include a Vietnam Memorial with landscaping in red, white and blue, Beirut Memorial, and 9-11 Memorial made with materials from New York towers. Future projects include the Museum of the Marine, a $22 million project, and a Freedom Fountain Memorial.
Burgaw, the county seat, is a hub of the county where the Burgaw Train Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the North Carolina Civil War Trail. It houses the Burgaw Incubator Kitchen, a shared-use commercial kitchen facility located in the historic Burgaw Depot. The Depot houses event space, the Burgaw Chamber, train artifacts, the Arts Council, and “Feast on the Southeast,” local farmers’ initiative.
The county pays homage to the past with Penderlea Homestead Farms, located in northwest Pender County. It is the site of the first of 152 homestead projects developed under President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.
The rural aspects, the small inland town of Burgaw, and other points of interest in the county attract filmmakers to Pender County.
Burgaw fits the small town ‘feel’ that film makers are looking for,” said Monique Baker, director of Pender County Tourism.
Residents and business owners wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but the Cape Fear region. In Cape Fear, every day is a vacation and paradise is just one step outside your front door.