Moving to Leland, NC: Living in Leland Guide

Leland is the fast-growing town just across the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington. In 2010 the town had 13,527 residents. Today it is the largest municipality in Brunswick County, full of master-planned communities with pools, golf courses and walking trails, and it keeps adding neighbors every month. Families like it for newer homes with real yards. Retirees like it for the amenity-packed communities and lower-key pace. Commuters like that downtown Wilmington is about 7 miles away, and the Brunswick County beaches are an easy drive south.

That growth comes with trade-offs: busy U.S. 17 corridors, a lot of new construction and a single main bridge into Wilmington that everyone learns to plan around. This guide walks through the real numbers, the neighborhoods people ask us about most, and what moving day actually looks like in Leland, from the team behind our Leland movers page.

Planning a move to Leland? Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081 or get your price online.

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Where Is Leland, NC?

Leland sits in northeastern Brunswick County, on the west side of the Cape Fear River across from Wilmington. It is part of the Wilmington metro area, and for most residents Wilmington is where they go for the hospital, the airport and a night out downtown.

Main roads include U.S. 17, U.S. 74/76 and Interstate 140, which loops north of Wilmington and ties into I-40 toward Raleigh. The town says Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is about 11 miles away and the Port of Wilmington about 7 miles. Road distances from central Leland, measured with OpenStreetMap routing:

Downtown Wilmington: about 7 miles
North Myrtle Beach, SC: about 55 miles
Myrtle Beach, SC: about 72 miles
Fayetteville: about 82 miles
Raleigh: about 133 miles
Charleston, SC: about 167 miles
Charlotte: about 191 miles

ILM has nonstop flights on American, Delta, United, JetBlue and several low-cost carriers, which makes Leland a practical home base for people who travel for work.

Leland Population & Demographics

Leland’s growth is the headline. The town counted 22,908 residents in the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau estimates it reached 35,731 by July 1, 2025, a 52.9% jump from its 2020 estimates base. North Carolina’s Office of State Budget and Management noted that Leland added 11,074 people between April 2020 and July 2024, a 47.4% increase that ranked 93rd in the nation for total population added. Brunswick County as a whole grew 24% from 2020 to 2024, according to the town’s economic development office.

Leland is older than Wilmington but younger than much of Brunswick County, with a mix of working families and retirees. Household incomes are well above the state median, and most homes are owner-occupied.

Measure	Leland	Brunswick County	North Carolina
Population estimate (July 1, 2025)	35,731	—	—
Population, 2020 Census	22,908	—	—
Median age (2020–2024 ACS)	47.3	56.4	39.1
Persons 65 and over	28.4%	—	—
Median household income (2020–2024 ACS)	$91,977	$77,024	$72,388
Bachelor’s degree or higher, age 25+ (2020–2024 ACS)	43.7%	34.7%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate (2020–2024 ACS)	80.6%	84.6%	66.6%
Mean travel time to work (2020–2024 ACS)	24.7 min	—	—

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (via Census Reporter).

Is Leland Safe?

Leland has its own police department, which publishes an online crime map and annual public safety reports. We haven’t found a recent, apples-to-apples crime rate for the town that we’d feel comfortable quoting, so our advice is simple: use the Leland Police Department’s crime map to look at recent activity around any address you’re considering, and read the department’s latest annual report. Areas outside town limits are covered by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

Cost of Living in Leland

Leland’s housing costs sit a little above the North Carolina average, but newer construction and HOA amenities are baked into many of those prices. Compared with Wilmington, buyers often get more house and more yard for similar money.

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index for Leland was $384,364 in August 2026, essentially flat (down 0.1%) from a year earlier. That is below the city of Wilmington’s $419,038 and above the statewide figure of $334,773. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 median home value in Leland was $398,900, compared with $349,800 for Brunswick County and $288,900 for North Carolina.

Keep HOA dues in mind. Many Leland neighborhoods are master-planned communities with pools, clubhouses, golf and trails, and the monthly or annual dues vary widely. Ask for the HOA budget and rules before you make an offer.

Rent

Rent is higher than you might expect for a suburb. Zillow’s Observed Rent Index for Leland was $1,654 a month in August 2026, up 3.7% from $1,595 a year earlier. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent for 2020–2024 was $1,735, well above the state’s $1,228. With about 80% of homes owner-occupied, rentals can be limited, so give yourself extra time to find one.

Best Neighborhoods in Leland

Brunswick Forest

Brunswick Forest is Leland’s best-known master-planned community, made up of many smaller neighborhoods such as Parkway Crossing, Cape Fear National, Creek Side, Meadow Park and Jefferson Landing. It has multiple amenity centers and its own commercial village with shops and restaurants. It suits retirees and relocating families who want a full-amenity community and are comfortable with HOA rules. Newer streets mean easier truck access than older neighborhoods.

Magnolia Greens

Magnolia Greens is a golf-course community where many homes back up to fairways or water, and residents often get around by golf cart. Homes are mostly three- and four-bedroom designs, many with fairway or water views. It suits golfers, active retirees and families who want a golf-centered neighborhood.

Waterford

Waterford of the Carolinas is a gated, water-access community with many custom brick homes and neighborhoods such as Lisden. It sits on the Wilmington side of town, near the Leland and Belville line. It suits buyers who want a gated, established community close to Wilmington. Gate access and HOA move-in rules apply, so share them with your movers ahead of time.

Weather & Climate

Leland shares Wilmington’s climate. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for nearby Wilmington International Airport put the average July high at 90.0°F with a low of 73.0°F. January averages a high of 57.2°F and a low of 36.3°F, and the annual average temperature is 64.4°F. Average yearly rainfall is 60.15 inches, with the most in August (8.16 inches) and September (8.69 inches). Snow is rare, averaging 0.9 inches a year.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and NOAA notes most activity comes in August through October. Some Leland neighborhoods sit near creeks and wetlands, so check a property’s flood zone and ask about flood insurance before you buy.

Humidity is the other thing newcomers notice. If your belongings will sit in storage between homes, choose climate-controlled space, especially for wood furniture, pianos, photos and electronics.

Best months to move: April and May (average highs of 74.6°F and 81.1°F) are the sweet spot. November is also comfortable, with an average high of 67.4°F. Summer moves are doable with early starts, but July and August are hot and busy.

Things to Do in Leland

Founders Park

Founders Park at 113 Town Hall Drive is Leland’s town green: nearly 8 acres with a playground, gazebo, stage, open lawns and a 0.6-mile paved path. The splash pad runs seasonally, May through September.

Westgate Nature Park

Off Westgate Drive on the south side of U.S. 17, Westgate Nature Park has 0.3 miles of wide, paved boardwalk through wetlands, nature-themed play structures, a picnic area and an outdoor classroom. It’s an easy, stroller-friendly walk.

Cypress Cove

Cypress Cove at 844 Appleton Way protects 27 acres of wetlands and has a canoe and kayak launch, a floating dock and an overlook. If you own a kayak, this is where you’ll want to put in.

Leland Cultural Arts Center

The Leland Cultural Arts Center at 1212 Magnolia Village Way offers a gallery, pottery studios, painting and dance studios, and performing arts space, and serves as the town’s hub for arts and recreation programs.

Leland Disc Golf Course

The town’s 12-hole disc golf course on more than 13 acres at 893 Village Road is open from sunrise to sunset.

Downtown Wilmington and the Riverwalk

One of the best parts of living in Leland is being about 7 miles from downtown Wilmington. The 1.75-mile Riverwalk, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA and downtown restaurants are a short drive across the river.

Where to Eat in Leland

Locals Tavern (Cross Creek Commons, New Pointe Boulevard)

Open since 2018 at 1107 New Pointe Boulevard, Locals Tavern sits in the Cross Creek Commons plaza off U.S. 17, just south of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Burgers, wings, seafood baskets, hand-cut steaks and live entertainment during the week make it a true neighborhood hangout.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar (Turlington Avenue)

The Leland Shuckin’ Shack at 1175 Turlington Avenue is locally owned and serves oysters, lobster rolls and wings, and is open daily for lunch and dinner. It’s a good spot to watch a game after a long day of unpacking.

Cape Fear Seafood Company (Waterford, Poole Road)

Cape Fear Seafood Company opened its Waterford location at 143 Poole Road in 2017, on the Leland and Belville line. The regional family-run chain focuses on upscale-casual seafood and is a popular choice when you want a sit-down dinner without crossing the bridge.

Jobs & Economy

Many Leland residents commute to Wilmington, where major employers include Novant Health’s New Hanover Regional Medical Center, UNCW, and a growing cluster of fintech and life sciences companies such as nCino, Live Oak Bank and PPD. The town’s average commute of 24.7 minutes reflects that daily trip across the river.

Leland is building its own job base, too. The Leland Innovation Park has more than 131 acres available, and the town is targeting life sciences, medical technology, aerospace, IT and renewable energy. Across Brunswick County, the school system is the largest single employer, and retail trade is the largest industry by employment (6,437 jobs in 2023, according to the NC Rural Center).

Schools in Leland

Leland is served by Brunswick County Schools, which the National Center for Education Statistics reports had 13,561 students in 20 schools in the 2024–2025 school year. Schools located in Leland include Belville Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Leland Middle and North Brunswick High. Because Leland has grown so quickly, attendance zones can change, so confirm your assigned schools with the district for any specific address.

For college, Brunswick Community College runs a Leland Center at 2045 Enterprise Boulevard, with its main campus in Bolivia. UNCW and Cape Fear Community College are across the river in Wilmington.

Leland Quick Facts

County	Brunswick County
ZIP code	28451
Area codes	910 and 472
Incorporated	1989
Nearest airport	Wilmington International Airport (ILM), about 11 miles
Main highways	U.S. 17, U.S. 74/76, I-140 (connecting to I-40)
Land area	19.94 square miles (2020)
Population	35,731 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Public school district	Brunswick County Schools
Nearby colleges	Brunswick Community College (Leland Center), UNCW, Cape Fear Community College

Moving to Leland: Tips From Our Crew

Get your HOA’s move-in rules early. Most Leland communities have rules about moving truck parking, portable storage containers, move hours and gate access. Some require advance notice. Send our Leland moving team the rules and the gate instructions before moving day so the truck isn’t stuck at the entrance.
Plan around the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. If you’re moving between Leland and Wilmington, you’ll likely cross the Memorial Bridge. NCDOT says the 1969 lift bridge needs frequent maintenance that causes delays. Check lane closures the day before; I-140 and the Isabel Holmes Bridge are the usual backup route.
Leave room in new-construction timelines. Closing dates on new homes often slide. If you’re buying new, book a flexible move date or plan on short-term storage so you aren’t paying twice for a truck.
Set up trash service right away. Trash service in Leland is provided through Brunswick County’s contractor, and the town’s curbside recycling program ended in 2021. Know where your cardboard is going before you unpack 80 boxes.
Check flood zones and hurricane timing. From August through October, leave a few flexible days between closing and your move, and confirm flood insurance requirements for homes near creeks and wetlands.
Think about truck access on cul-de-sacs. Many Leland subdivisions are built around cul-de-sacs, tight turning circles and parked cars on both sides of the street. Tell us about your street when you book, and let neighbors know the truck is coming so we can park close and keep the carry short.
Time school-age moves around the calendar. If you have kids, try to move in early summer so you can register with Brunswick County Schools and learn your bus stop before classes start. That also lets you avoid the late-summer rush when leases turn over across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Leland

How much does it cost to hire movers in Leland?

Every move is different. Price depends on the size of your home, stairs, the distance, packing and the season, and a move from out of state is priced differently from a move across U.S. 17. The quickest way to a real number is a free quote. Call 910-758-0081 and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Is Leland a good place to live?

For many people, yes. You get newer homes, amenity-rich neighborhoods, household incomes above the state median and quick access to Wilmington and the beaches. The downsides are growth-related: traffic on U.S. 17, ongoing construction and dependence on the bridges into Wilmington. Drive your commute at rush hour before you buy.

How far is Leland from the beach?

Leland isn’t on the ocean. Wrightsville Beach is across the river past Wilmington, and the Brunswick County beaches such as Oak Island and Holden Beach are south. Most residents pick a favorite beach based on which side of the river they spend more time on.

Is Leland part of Wilmington?

No. Leland is its own town in Brunswick County, with its own police department, parks and town government. It is part of the Wilmington metro area and just across the Cape Fear River, so many residents work, shop and fly out of Wilmington.

What is the best time of year to move to Leland?

April and May are ideal, with warm weather before peak hurricane season. November is also pleasant. Summer is the busiest moving season and the hottest, so book early and start early if you need a July or August date.

Move to Leland With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015 and is run by owners Matthew Treharn and Amber Hallaman. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days.

From local moves across the river to long-distance moves into Brunswick County, plus packing and piano and safe moving, our Leland movers handle it. Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081.

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