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The Town of Leland |
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  The Town of Leland is located in Brunswick County, North Carolina on the scenic Brunswick River, just five minutes west of Wilmington. Leland has emerged as one of the fastest growing municipalities in the Cape Fear region and is home to a number of beautiful championship golf courses, over fifty places to worship, and a vibrant business community. As the Town of Leland grows, it is committed to maintaining a down-home, small-town atmosphere. Leland is the Gateway to Brunswick County and a great place to put down roots.Although The Town of Leland is growing, the growth has not diminished the natural beauty and quality of life so cherished here. The county's respect for its heritage and environment can be experienced during several annual festivals. The county's ties to the sea and area waterways are celebrated each year during the North Carolina Oyster Festival, NC Festival by the Sea, A Day at the Docks and Celebrate Shallotte. |
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Census Report 2000 |
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Population |
Median Household Income |
Median Family Income |
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1,938 |
$32,574 |
$38,077 |
 Leland has a strategic location, warm climate, low tax rate and friendly atmosphere. The town offers convenient access to Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, the coastal town of Southport, New Hanover County beaches and Brunswick County beaches. When the planned US 17 Bypass is completed, travelers will be able to conveniently access Leland from Interstate 40 without traveling through Wilmington.Keeping Leland Safe As Leland grows, the town is committed to ensuring that the town continues to be a safe, family-friendly place to live, work and play.
The towns commitment to keeping the streets safe has paid dividends: the crime rate dropped 18% from 2003-2004 and has dropped 30% since 2002. |
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| Leland's History ~ In the mid 1890's at the crossroads where the Village Road crossed the Wilmington, Columbia, and Augusta Railroad (on the way towards Summerville and Phoenix), there existed a settlement. The name of this settlement became formalized when, in late 1897, Mr. Joseph W. Gay and other area citizens petitioned the U.S. Post Office Department in Washington D.C., for a local Post Office. A list of three names was submitted at this time so that the Post Office Department might have a name from which to choose. The name of Leland was chosen. Leland was the name of Mr. Gay's nephew, Leland Adams. The new Post Office opened on February 10, 1898, with Mr. Joseph Gay as Postmaster. The Post Office was located in a corner of Gay's General Store. The Leland area was initially settled at the same time the earliest plantations along the Cape Fear and Brunswick Rivers came into existence. Early activity revolved around the Post Office, the school, two grocery stores, the railroad station, Leland Baptist Church, Leland Methodist Church, and numerous homes. For many years Leland was one of numerous small unincorporated communities throughout Brunswick County which served as minor centers of trade throughout the early 20th century. Due to its location adjacent to the Brunswick River, Leland also served as an early transportation center. By modern standards the early roads in the area were primitive. There were ferries in place across the Brunswick River and across the Cape Fear River for travelers going north and south. The Brunswick River actually received a bridge in 1890 before the Cape Fear River. The Brunswick River causeway, across Eagles Island, was always known as a problem area because of the wetness of the soil and swamps between the two Rivers. By 1923 the road from Brunswick River through Leland had been hard surfaced and was known as State Road #20. Two churches (Woodburn Presbyterian and Woodburn Baptist) were named after the Woodburn family, which was a later subdivision of the Belvedere Plantation (home of William Dry and Governor Benjamin Smith). The Belvedere Subdivision forms the nucleus of what is now the incorporated Town of Leland. The Town of Leland was incorporated in 1989. The natural boundaries of the Town include the Brunswick River to the east and Sturgeon Creek to the South. |
| The Town of Leland is served by the Brunswick County School System. The school system is committed to the Brunswick County community in promoting and developing a school system that provides a quality education for its students. The school system is extremely proud of its accomplishments in the area of student achievement. Their philosophy in education is built upon one main premise - every child will learn and achieve at high levels. They prepare our young people to be viable and productive citizens. They also eagerly accept the challenge of their Mission Statement to "prepare all students to be successful and productive citizens in a highly technological and diverse society". And their goal for today is their goal for tomorrow - continuous improvement will yield excellence in education for Brunswick County. There are 9 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 3 high schools in the Brunswick County School system. |
| There are also three wonderful new communities in Leland. Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation is a beautiful golf community located only a few miles from Historic Wilmington and minutes from North Carolina's beaches. Waterford of the Carolinas boasts a resort-style community pool, fountains, a cabana bar, tennis facilities, a conservation area and walking and jogging trails all situated on Osprey Lake. Brunswick Forest is a fabulous golf community with a wellness center and a community garden. |
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Fun things to do in Leland |
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