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New Hanover County NC Property Tax Guide

Del Webb Riverlights and The Village at Motts Landing are in New Hanover County. Here is the full tax picture — including the flood insurance overlay that most buyers do not factor in until it is too late.

New Hanover County Tax Rate

New Hanover County’s combined property tax rate for the City of Wilmington runs higher than Brunswick County. The effective rate on a primary residence — county plus city — is approximately 0.55–0.70% of market value depending on the specific location within the county. On a $550,000 Del Webb Riverlights resale home, the annual property tax bill is approximately $3,025–$3,850 before any exclusions.

NHC tax calculation — $550,000 Del Webb Riverlights resale home

Market value$550,000
NC assessment at 100% of market$550,000 assessed
Combined county + city rate (est. ~0.55–0.70%)~$3,025–$3,850/yr
After NC 65+ homestead exclusion~$2,645–$3,365/yr
vs comparable Brunswick County home~$2,500–$3,000/yr

The Flood Insurance Overlay — The Number Nobody Mentions

New Hanover County includes the City of Wilmington, which includes Del Webb at Riverlights on River Road along the Cape Fear River. Some Riverlights lots are in FEMA-designated flood zones. For those lots, standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage — a separate NFIP or private flood policy is required by law if the home has a mortgage.

Flood insurance in coastal North Carolina runs $1,500–$5,000+ per year depending on flood zone designation, coverage amount, and the home’s elevation. On a Riverlights lot in a flood zone, the true annual insurance cost is not $2,000–$4,000 for homeowners alone — it is $3,500–$9,000+ combined. This number changes the all-in annual cost comparison significantly.

Always run a flood zone determination before making an offerAsk your agent for the FEMA flood zone designation for any specific Riverlights address before making an offer. The same street can have some lots in flood zone AE (requiring mandatory insurance) and others in zone X (no requirement). Do not assume the community brochure or listing sheet discloses this.

NC Homestead Exclusion in New Hanover County

The same NC homestead exclusion that applies in Brunswick County also applies in New Hanover County. Homeowners 65+ with income at or below $38,800 (2026) can exclude the greater of $25,000 or 50% of appraised value from taxation. File Form AV-9 with the New Hanover County Tax Department by June 1. Phone: 910-798-7300.

Questions About NHC Property Taxes?

We can run your New Hanover County tax estimate and flood zone check for any specific Riverlights address.

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