Building permits in Wilmington saw a notable increase at the beginning of 2025, rising to an annual rate of 605 in January, according to the latest data from the Census Bureau.
- This marks a 10.4% increase from the previous month, although it remains the second-lowest level in the past 11 months.
Breaking It Down: Single-family permits rose to an annual rate of 469 in January, up 7.8% from December but still the second-lowest level in the last 13 months.
- These permits accounted for 77.5% of all building permits issued in Wilmington.
- Even though building permits remain at depressed levels compared to recent months, they continue to be elevated when viewed against the 30-year average.
Statewide: The city’s growth closely mirrored that of North Carolina as a whole, where permits rose by 10.5% in January.
Bottom Line: While Wilmington’s building permit activity remains below peak levels, the recent uptick is a positive sign for the local housing market. With North Carolina experiencing similar growth, the trend may indicate stabilizing conditions that could support future home construction in the region.
