Relocating to Leland, NC: What Brunswick County's Fastest-Growing Town Is Really Like
When people think about relocating to Brunswick County, they usually picture Southport or Oak Island. Sand, water, a slower pace. But Brunswick County is bigger than the coastline, and Leland is proof of that.
I work with buyers across the whole county, not just the beach towns, and Leland comes up constantly, especially with people who want to be close to Wilmington without living in it. So here's an honest look at what Leland actually is, who it fits, and how it's different from the coastal side of the county.
Leland Is Growing Fast, and It's Not Slowing Down
Leland is now the largest municipality in Brunswick County, sitting around 33,000 people as of 2024, up 44% since 2020. Town officials project it could more than double again, to roughly 74,000 residents, by 2045.
A lot of that growth has been families relocating from the Northeast, especially since the pandemic, along with people drawn by newer construction and more space for the money. Local business owners describe it simply: what used to be practically farmland is shopping centers now.
Growth like that is a trade-off, and I'll be straight with you about it later in this guide. But it also means Leland has more commercial development, more services and more infrastructure investment than a lot of smaller Brunswick County towns.
Location: This Is the Wilmington-Adjacent Side of the County
Here's the biggest practical difference from Southport or Oak Island: Leland sits about 10 minutes from downtown Wilmington across the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, with commute times running anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
That proximity matters if you work in Wilmington, want quick access to Wilmington International Airport (about 11 miles away, with nonstop flights to hubs like Charlotte, Atlanta and New York), or just want a shorter drive to New Hanover Regional's hospitals, UNC Wilmington, or downtown's restaurants and riverwalk. Major highway access runs through US 74/76, I-40 and I-140.
Compare that to Southport, which is closer to an hour from Wilmington. If your daily life revolves around Wilmington, Leland closes that gap in a way the coastal towns simply can't.
Housing: Newer, Bigger Lots, Master-Planned
Leland's housing stock skews newer than what you'll find in Wilmington or the historic parts of Southport. Think single-family homes on larger lots, modern floor plans, and a lot of master-planned communities with pools, trails and amenity centers built in, places like Brunswick Forest and Wedgewood at Lanvale.
Median home prices run around $373,000, and while that's not shocking on its own, the market here has been competitive given how fast the area is growing. Leland's cost of living index sits a bit above the national average, roughly 1.5% higher, so it's not automatically cheaper than what you're leaving, but you're generally getting more house and more land for the money than you would closer to the water or closer into Wilmington proper.
The Honest Trade-Off
I'm not going to sell you on Leland as a beach town, because it isn't one. It's suburban, not coastal. You won't step out your door onto sand, and the beach is still a real drive away, not a quick bike ride like it is in Southport or Oak Island.
What you get instead is convenience: a short commute, an airport nearby, more shopping and services close by, and newer construction on bigger lots for a competitive price. That's a completely different lifestyle than waterfront living, and it's worth being honest with yourself about which one you actually want before you start touring homes.
One thing that doesn't change: Leland is still Brunswick County, and hurricane season doesn't skip inland towns. Insurance still matters here, flood risk still varies property to property, and it's still worth getting quotes early rather than assuming "not on the coast" means "not a concern."
Schools, Safety and Everyday Life
Brunswick County Schools carries a B grade overall, with several individual elementary and middle schools in the Leland area rated well above that. Crime rates run low, and Leland is generally considered safer than the majority of similarly sized towns.
Family-friendly neighborhoods, parks, trails and community events give it a small-town feel despite the growth, and you're still within about 40 minutes of the beach when you want it. The trade-off shows up seasonally: tourist traffic in the warmer months creates real congestion, and public transit is limited, so plan on driving or ride-sharing rather than relying on a bus system.
If you're relocating to Brunswick County and trying to decide between the coast and somewhere like Leland, ask yourself honestly: do you want the beach at your doorstep, or do you want space, newer construction and a short drive into Wilmington? There's no wrong answer, just different priorities.
I work with relocation buyers across the whole county, not just Southport and Oak Island, so if you're weighing Leland against the coastal towns, or trying to figure out which part of Brunswick County actually fits how you live, reach out. Let's talk through it before you start touring homes, not after.
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