The Wilmington metro is home to 440,578 people (up 55.5% over five years), with a median household income of $73,687. Typical rent of $1,744/month works out to 28.4% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Wilmington's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 22.0% |
| Professional & management | 13.6% |
| Retail trade | 12.4% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 10.6% |
| Construction | 8.9% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 28.4% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Wilmington market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,744/month suggests a household income around $70,000/year. The metro's median household income is $73,687.
By workforce share: Education & health care (22.0%), Professional & management (13.6%), Retail trade (12.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).