Chapter ED Intelligence · Chapter Report
The ARC of the Cape Fear Area Of North Carolina
Southeast and Caribbean Division · North Carolina Region
NC · 12 counties · HQ Wilmington, NC · FEMA Region IV
1,121,109
People
457,154
Households
42.6%
Households below the ALICE survival threshold
12
Counties · 7,494 sq mi
Nearly 43% of households across this chapter live below the ALICE survival threshold — the working families one disaster away from crisis.
In this report · Economic vulnerability · Who lives here · Home fire mission (FLARE) · mission delivery & the bespoke relationship strategy to follow
Sources: American Red Cross geography + 2023 demographics reference table; United Way ALICE + poverty (latest county year).
Geography & Footprint
The chapter's footprint.
12
Counties
7,494
Square miles
1,121,109
People
North Carolina Region
Southeast and Caribbean Division
| County | People | Sq mi | % of chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hanover | 234,539 | 205 | 20.9% |
| Onslow | 211,839 | 761 | 18.9% |
| Brunswick | 152,762 | 865 | 13.6% |
| Wayne | 115,886 | 557 | 10.3% |
| Craven | 101,230 | 728 | 9.0% |
| Carteret | 68,761 | 507 | 6.1% |
| Pender | 64,750 | 871 | 5.8% |
| Lenoir | 54,106 | 403 | 4.8% |
| Columbus | 49,170 | 954 | 4.4% |
| Duplin | 46,923 | 822 | 4.2% |
| Pamlico | 12,110 | 348 | 1.1% |
| Jones | 9,033 | 473 | 0.8% |
HQ: Wilmington, NC · FEMA Region IV. Counties sorted by population.
Who Lives Here
The people of this chapter.
41
Median age
$59,196
Median household income
18.3%
Age 65+
32.3%
Renter households
Age distribution
Race & ethnicity
Hispanic / Latino (any race): 9.8% of residents.
Source: American Red Cross 2023 demographics reference table. Chapter figures aggregate the 12 counties; median age and income are population-weighted.
Economic Vulnerability
Where the need is greatest.
| County | People | Median HH income | ALICE | Poverty | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir | 54,106 | $41,975 | 32.7% | 21.9% | 54.6% |
| Columbus | 49,170 | $44,806 | 35.4% | 18.8% | 54.2% |
| Duplin | 46,923 | $49,735 | 32.3% | 16.2% | 48.6% |
| Jones | 9,033 | $41,184 | 27.4% | 20.6% | 48.0% |
| Wayne | 115,886 | $51,201 | 31.3% | 16.6% | 47.9% |
| Craven | 101,230 | $57,983 | 30.4% | 17.3% | 47.8% |
| Pamlico | 12,110 | $54,293 | 33.1% | 13.4% | 46.5% |
| Onslow | 211,839 | $54,821 | 32.8% | 11.8% | 44.7% |
| Pender | 64,750 | $66,321 | 31.8% | 10.8% | 42.6% |
| New Hanover | 234,539 | $68,621 | 26.0% | 12.2% | 38.2% |
| Carteret | 68,761 | $61,816 | 23.1% | 12.3% | 35.4% |
| Brunswick | 152,762 | $68,551 | 23.5% | 11.2% | 34.7% |
Combined = households in poverty plus ALICE households (above poverty, below the cost of basics), as a share of all county households. Source: United Way ALICE, latest county year.
Risk & Disaster History
What this chapter is up against.
$1174.6M
Expected annual loss, all hazards
New Hanover
Highest-risk county
68.8%
Avg social vulnerability (SVI)
6
FEMA declarations, 5 yr (top county)
| County | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | SVI %ile | FEMA 5yr | FEMA all |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hanover | Relatively High | $257.1M | 42.9% | 5 | 32 |
| Onslow | Relatively High | $215.7M | 79.5% | 5 | 30 |
| Brunswick | Relatively High | $153.3M | 22.8% | 6 | 35 |
| Carteret | Relatively Moderate | $129.1M | 38.9% | 5 | 30 |
| Craven | Relatively Moderate | $118.3M | 81.3% | 4 | 32 |
| Pender | Relatively Moderate | $66.9M | 56.1% | 4 | 31 |
| Wayne | Relatively Moderate | $66.3M | 95.6% | 4 | 28 |
| Duplin | Relatively Moderate | $53.1M | 91.4% | 4 | 26 |
| Columbus | Relatively Moderate | $42.1M | 93.7% | 4 | 29 |
| Lenoir | Relatively Moderate | $35.7M | 99.8% | 4 | 29 |
| Pamlico | Relatively Low | $22.6M | 56.2% | 4 | 30 |
| Jones | Relatively Low | $14.3M | 67.4% | 4 | 27 |
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index 2025 (risk rating, expected annual loss), CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022 (social-vulnerability percentile), FEMA disaster declarations — via the Red Cross national county database.
Disaster History
A chapter shaped by disaster.
46
Federal disaster declarations
27
Hurricanes
Hurricane
Most common type
2026
Most recent
By incident type
Most recent declarations
| FY | Disaster | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm |
| 2025 | Sunset Drive Fire | Fire |
| 2025 | Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight | Tropical Storm |
| 2024 | Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm |
| 2024 | Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm |
| 2023 | Hurricane Ian | Hurricane |
| 2021 | Tropical Storm Eta | Severe Storm |
| 2021 | Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane |
| 2020 | Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane |
| 2020 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 — county-level, deduplicated to unique disasters.
Home Fire Mission · FLARE 2024
Every home fire is a Red Cross moment.
413
Home fires (2024)
61.0%
Red Cross care rate
125
Fires with no Red Cross notification
3.7
Fires per 10,000 residents
Red Cross cared for 61% of home fires — but 125 (30%) happened with no Red Cross notification: the prevention, smoke-alarm, and response opportunity, county by county.
Source: FLARE Fire Incidents 2024 (American Red Cross, public layer). “With care” = Red Cross provided assistance; “no notification” = the Red Cross was never alerted to the fire.
Home Fire · Respond & Prevent
Red Cross shows up — and prevents.
3,965
Home-fire calls answered (RC response)
3,683
Single-family fire responses
4,544
Free smoke alarms installed
280
Multi-family fire responses
Red Cross answered 3,965 home-fire calls and installed 4,544 free smoke alarms across the chapter — response and prevention, county by county.
Sources: DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (RC fire responses); Smoke Alarm Installs FY15–FY24 (American Red Cross).
Blood & BioMed
The blood mission's local footprint.
132,040
Blood units collected (FY22–26)
4,978
Blood drives held
837
Drives in FY2026
12
Counties with drives
Blood drives are active in 12 of the chapter's 12 counties — every county without one is an employer or civic opening: a host site, a sponsored drive, a standing partnership.
Source: BioMed Collections FY22–FY26 (American Red Cross). Drives = collection events; units = products collected.
Red Cross Facilities
The chapter's physical footprint.
6
Red Cross facilities
2
Owned
4
Leased / licensed
1
BioMed sites
By type / function
BioMed facilities
Wilmington NC Blood Donation CenterPlatelets & Red Cells
Sources: Red Cross real-estate portfolio (reintel.jbf.com) + BioMed facilities (biomed.jbf.com).
Locations, types and functions only — no cost, square footage, or lease terms are disclosed.
Red Cross Philanthropy · Major Donors
Who gives here.
Major-donor giving across the chapter — three fiscal years. Internal planning data.
$4,130,731
Total giving, 3-year
65
Major donors
$137,528
Current FY · ▼ 96% vs prior FY
$3,305,341
Top: New Hanover
| County | Major donors | Total giving, 3-year |
|---|---|---|
| New Hanover | 29 | $3,305,341 |
| Brunswick | 14 | $363,911 |
| Craven | 7 | $144,350 |
| Carteret | 5 | $116,875 |
| Wayne | 4 | $93,504 |
| Pender | 2 | $66,375 |
| Onslow | 2 | $21,000 |
| Columbus | 1 | $10,000 |
| Lenoir | 1 | $9,375 |
Source: Red Cross major-donor giving by county, three fiscal years.
Internal / executive-director planning use — not donor-facing.
County Deep Dive
New Hanover County
234,539
People
$68,621
Median HH income
38.2%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively High
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age40.1
ALICE households27,630
Poverty households13,025
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$257.1M
Social vulnerability (SVI)42.9%
FEMA declarations (all time)32
Home fires, CY202457
Fires, no RC notification18
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$3,305,341
New Hanover County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Onslow County
211,839
People
$54,821
Median HH income
44.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively High
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age29.4
ALICE households25,223
Poverty households9,080
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$215.7M
Social vulnerability (SVI)79.5%
FEMA declarations (all time)30
Home fires, CY202470
Fires, no RC notification28
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$21,000
Onslow County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Brunswick County
152,762
People
$68,551
Median HH income
34.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively High
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age51.4
ALICE households17,141
Poverty households8,136
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$153.3M
Social vulnerability (SVI)22.8%
FEMA declarations (all time)35
Home fires, CY202452
Fires, no RC notification25
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$363,911
Brunswick County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Wayne County
115,886
People
$51,201
Median HH income
47.9%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age38.6
ALICE households14,705
Poverty households7,818
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$66.3M
Social vulnerability (SVI)95.6%
FEMA declarations (all time)28
Home fires, CY202452
Fires, no RC notification11
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$93,504
Wayne County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Craven County
101,230
People
$57,983
Median HH income
47.8%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age39.8
ALICE households12,514
Poverty households7,112
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$118.3M
Social vulnerability (SVI)81.3%
FEMA declarations (all time)32
Home fires, CY202437
Fires, no RC notification10
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$144,350
Craven County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Carteret County
68,761
People
$61,816
Median HH income
35.4%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age49.5
ALICE households7,962
Poverty households4,248
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$129.1M
Social vulnerability (SVI)38.9%
FEMA declarations (all time)30
Home fires, CY202430
Fires, no RC notification15
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$116,875
Carteret County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Pender County
64,750
People
$66,321
Median HH income
42.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age44.4
ALICE households7,673
Poverty households2,609
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$66.9M
Social vulnerability (SVI)56.1%
FEMA declarations (all time)31
Home fires, CY202417
Fires, no RC notification5
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$66,375
Pender County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Lenoir County
54,106
People
$41,975
Median HH income
54.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43.4
ALICE households7,498
Poverty households5,026
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$35.7M
Social vulnerability (SVI)99.8%
FEMA declarations (all time)29
Home fires, CY202437
Fires, no RC notification3
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$9,375
Lenoir County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Columbus County
49,170
People
$44,806
Median HH income
54.2%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age42.1
ALICE households6,799
Poverty households3,617
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$42.1M
Social vulnerability (SVI)93.7%
FEMA declarations (all time)29
Home fires, CY202431
Fires, no RC notification3
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$10,000
Columbus County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Duplin County
46,923
People
$49,735
Median HH income
48.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age40.4
ALICE households6,498
Poverty households3,261
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$53.1M
Social vulnerability (SVI)91.4%
FEMA declarations (all time)26
Home fires, CY202429
Fires, no RC notification7
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Duplin County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Pamlico County
12,110
People
$54,293
Median HH income
46.5%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age51.6
ALICE households1,731
Poverty households701
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$22.6M
Social vulnerability (SVI)56.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)30
Home fires, CY20241
Fires, no RC notification0
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Pamlico County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Jones County
9,033
People
$41,184
Median HH income
48.0%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age46.3
ALICE households1,073
Poverty households805
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$14.3M
Social vulnerability (SVI)67.4%
FEMA declarations (all time)27
Home fires, CY2024—
Fires, no RC notification—
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Jones County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
Your Live Tools
The chapter's Experience Builder apps & federal tools.
Red Cross Intelligence Briefing
Chapter risk, hardship, hazards & county drilldowns
experience.arcgis.com
Disaster Response Intelligence
Spatial disaster-response intelligence
Experience Builder app
Red Cross Real Estate
Facilities & market intelligence
experience.arcgis.com
Service Area Planning
Service-area geography & planning
Experience Builder app
Community Mobilization V
Local resource & mobilization map
experience.arcgis.com
Biomed
Blood & BioMed footprint
experience.arcgis.com
FEMA RAPT
Resilience analysis & planning
www.fema.gov
Census Community Resilience
People & resilience context
www.census.gov
Red Cross Experience Builder apps give the live, drill-down companion to this report; federal tools add official context.
Sources & Methodology
Every number, traceable.
Tools produce facts; humans own decisions. Each figure in this report traces to a named source and vintage.
| Metric | Source | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| geography + 2023 demographics | ALICE master / Red Cross reference table | 2023 |
| ALICE + poverty households | MASTER counties ALICE+demographics | 2023 |
| flare | flare_fire_incidents (public AGOL, CY24) | CY2024 |
| smoke_alarms | GIS_MAP_FY15_to_FY24 (AGOL item b09f21d9…) | FY15–24 |
| lives_saved | Lives_Saved_Map_30_Apr_2026 (AGOL item ff313330…) | 2026 |
| blood | Biomed Collections 22-26 by chapter/county | FY22–26 |
| risk + disaster history | FEMA NRI 2025 · CDC SVI 2022 · FEMA declarations (red-cross-data county master) | FEMA NRI 2025 · SVI 2022 |
| fema disaster history | FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 | 2026 |
| facilities / real estate (no costs) | Red Cross facilities portfolio — reintel.jbf.com (locations, types & ownership only; no cost/lease terms) | FY25 |
| home-fire RC responses (SFF/MFF) | DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (org AGOL) | FY24–26 |
Geography: American Red Cross chapter↔county reference. The full machine-readable source ledger ships with the data bundle.
Appendix · County Data
Full county table.
| County | Pop | Households | Hardship | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | Fires '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hanover | 234,539 | 102,661 | 38.2% | Relatively High | $257.1M | 57 |
| Onslow | 211,839 | 73,041 | 44.7% | Relatively High | $215.7M | 70 |
| Brunswick | 152,762 | 68,657 | 34.7% | Relatively High | $153.3M | 52 |
| Wayne | 115,886 | 45,690 | 47.9% | Relatively Moderate | $66.3M | 52 |
| Craven | 101,230 | 41,405 | 47.8% | Relatively Moderate | $118.3M | 37 |
| Carteret | 68,761 | 30,723 | 35.4% | Relatively Moderate | $129.1M | 30 |
| Pender | 64,750 | 24,789 | 42.6% | Relatively Moderate | $66.9M | 17 |
| Lenoir | 54,106 | 22,623 | 54.6% | Relatively Moderate | $35.7M | 37 |
| Columbus | 49,170 | 19,871 | 54.2% | Relatively Moderate | $42.1M | 31 |
| Duplin | 46,923 | 18,697 | 48.6% | Relatively Moderate | $53.1M | 29 |
| Pamlico | 12,110 | 5,155 | 46.5% | Relatively Low | $22.6M | 1 |
| Jones | 9,033 | 3,842 | 48.0% | Relatively Low | $14.3M | — |
One row per county. Combined hardship = poverty + ALICE households. Fires = FLARE CY2024.