Kings Grant is a Wilmington suburb that is all about connectivity
Access to the beach, downtown and popular shopping malls is often top of mind for homebuyers in Wilmington. Kings Grant is a neighborhood that puts all three within reach. A main route through the city halves this large suburb, roughly equal distance between Wilmington’s Central Business District and Wrightsville Beach. Home to nearly 8,500 people, Kings Grant is primarily a sprawling network of residential streets. It attracts families for its ranch-style homes with yards big enough for vegetable gardens and in-ground pools. Professionals enjoy the proximity to Wilmington International Airport. About a dozen houses of worship are in the area, including Grace Baptist Church. Its landmark Greek Revival-style building on the neighborhood’s west side welcomes commuters heading into the Port City off Interstate 40. And beachgoers are within relatively easy driving distance of the sand, surf and sun of Wilmington’s eastern shores.
A family from Kings Grant spends the afternoon shopping at the Mayfaire Town Center.
Kings Grant locals are just a short drive from Wrightsville Beach and all its offerings.
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Brick ranch-style homes close to Wilmington
Along Kings Grant’s wide, unmarked streets, single-family homes rest on spacious lots that can reach nearly a half-acre. Tall pines and flowering crepe myrtles dot grassy front yards that are neatly manicured. “Kings Grant has a lot of houses built in the 1970s,” says Leigh Saunders, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who lives nearby in Ogden. “That’s the brick ranch-style neighborhood.” While ranch-style homes are most common, there are also Cape Cods, New Traditional and a growing number of Modern Transitional homes. Prices range from $230,000 to $600,000. Townhouses are also available for between $200,000 and $365,000. Some parts of Kings Grant have homeowners associations, with monthly fees ranging from less than $50 to more than $250.
According to FEMA flood maps, some properties near Smith Creek are within special flood hazard areas. Potential homebuyers should also note that airport noise is a reality for Kings Grant, as the neighborhood sits less than 6 miles east of Wilmington International Airport. In 2024, the airport began an FAA-authorized noise study to identify the areas most impacted.
A variety of new home styles in Kings Grant are ready for their new owners.
Brick ranch homes in Kings Grant are nestled under mature trees.
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New Hanover County Schools splits this neighborhood down the middle
New Hanover County Schools, which earns an A-plus overall rating from Niche, allows students to attend an assigned school or apply to a specialty program through an application lottery. For those who opt to stay within the district, Kings Grant is split between two school zones. Wrightsboro Elementary, Holly Shelter Middle and Emsley A. Laney High serve the neighborhood’s west side. Wrightsboro Elementary receives a C-plus. Holly Shelter Middle gets a B, while Laney High receives a B-plus and has produced notable athletes, including NBA icon Michael Jordan and the WNBA’s Tamera Young. John J. Blair Elementary, Emma B. Trask Middle and New Hanover High serve the neighborhood’s east side. Blair Elementary gets a B-minus rating, while Trask Middle and New Hanover High earn a B-plus.
For parents who opt for private school options, Kings Grant is home to Wilmington Christian Academy. The B-minus-rated school serves more than 1,100 students from preschool through 12th grade. While it’s associated with Grace Baptist Church, the school is non-denominational. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, notable for its nursing and marine biology programs, is about 3 miles south of the neighborhood.
This is where parents drop off their kids at Wrightsboro Elementary School.
Holly Shelter Middle Schools serves the students of Kings Grant and the surrounding area.
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The neighborhood green space and nearby Hanover County parks
A colorful playground brings families to Kings Grant Park. The neighborhood green space rests against dense woods and features a basketball court, a multipurpose field and an outdoor gym. An accessible trail loops around the large lake at nearby Smith Creek Park. Saunders describes it as a cute spot for an afternoon in nature: “It’s a great place to walk around and have a little picnic. Some people put their canoes in the water, but it’s not for motorized boats.” With multiple ballfields and courts for soccer and tennis, Ogden Park is often busy. This expansive park includes a Tony Hawk-designed skate park as well as a dog park. Local baseball teams play at Olsen Park. It’s home to the Miracle League of Wilmington, serving youth and adults living with disabilities. Wrightsville Beach’s sun, sand and surf are less than 10 miles away, and a day trip to Carolina Beach, known for its nostalgic boardwalk, is around a 17-mile drive.
Ogden Park features a vibrant skate park scene for area residents.
Kings Grant Park is located in New Hanover County.
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Restaurants and shopping centers in North Wilmington
From business parks and retail strips to the bustling commercial corridor along Market Street, Kings Grant residents have restaurants and shops close by. The Murrayville Post Shopping Center is home to The Complex Bean, a veteran- and women-owned coffee shop pouring creative lattes in its eclectic space decorated with the works of local artists. Modern twists on classic seafood dishes draw diners to Catch, a favored date-night spot, while regulars fill the tables at Ruth's Kitchen for its Southern homestyle breakfast. Lowes Foods, Food Lion and Walmart Supercenter are just a few of the grocery chains in the area. Wilmington’s popular name-brand shopping destinations, Independence Mall, Mayfaire Town Center and University Centre, are a short drive away. Downtown Wilmington, home to the city’s famed Riverwalk, offers boutique shops, trendy bars and entertainment venues, including the Live Oak Bank Pavilion.
Ruth's Kitchen in Kings Grant is a beloved local favorite lunchtime spot.
Elijah's on the boardwalk serves daily locally caught oysters for residents of Kings Grant and downtown Wilmington.
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Quick highway access for commutes around the Port City
The eastern terminus of Interstate 40 is in Kings Grant, giving residents quick access to this transcontinental highway, which links the Carolina coast to the Blue Ridge Mountains before crossing the country. North College Road, a main thoroughfare through Midtown Wilmington, bisects the neighborhood, connecting commuters to other main roads, such as U.S. Route 74 and Market Street. The city’s historic downtown is about 7 miles away.
The entrance to Wilmington International Airport is roughly a 6-mile drive from the neighborhood. While Kings Grant doesn’t have direct access to Wilmington’s Wave Transit buses, all routes are available at Forden Station nearby. Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses also stop at Forden Station. Bike-friendly streets in the neighborhood, like North Kerr Avenue, connect cyclists to the Gary Shell Cross City Trail.
Parading around Kings Grant is a growing tradition
Kings Grant’s various subdivisions stay connected through online forums and a neighborhood website. Residents have organized two annual events in recent years: a Halloween Parade and the Merry & Bright Holiday Parade. For both events, neighbors decorate their vehicles, including golf carts and boats, before driving them through the neighborhood.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
