Best Nursing Homes in Wilmington, NC

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 7 nursing homes in Wilmington, NC using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in NC
Reviewed by
Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Wilmington, NC our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Wilmington, NC.
7 homes
Other senior care options in Wilmington:
Avg Overall CMS Rating: 2.6/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wilmington, NC. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 3.6/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wilmington, NC. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 2.4/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wilmington, NC. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5

Compare Nursing Homes around Wilmington (Metro Area)

Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The North Carolina average is: 58.6% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall
NH
AL
IL
MC
SNF
Wilmington (Windemere)
30
Facility 30
NC AVG 72
Rank #326 / 387
99.3%
Facility 99.3%
NC AVG 70.6%
Rank #32 / 232
+41%
4.29
Facility 4.29
NC AVG 3.98
Rank #39 / 83
+14%+8%
$0
Facility $0
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #1 / 89
6
Facility 6
NC AVG 20.9
Rank #22 / 85
3.0
Facility 3.0
NC AVG 5.0
Rank #32 / 85
-30-
18
Facility 18
NC AVG 36
Rank #394 / 536
Wilmington Ah Senior Housing Jv Opco LLC
$11.9MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $11.9MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #46 / 84
$5.1MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $5.1MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #58 / 84
43.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 43.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #51 / 84
345571
Trinity Grove
NH
MC
SNF
Wilmington
100
Facility 100
NC AVG 72
Rank #77 / 387
94.9%
Facility 94.9%
NC AVG 70.6%
Rank #39 / 232
+34%
4.83
Facility 4.83
NC AVG 3.98
Rank #28 / 83
+21%+21%
$102.9k
Facility $102.9k
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #81 / 89
16
Facility 16
NC AVG 20.9
Rank #53 / 85
3.2
Facility 3.2
NC AVG 5.0
Rank #37 / 85
495-
19
Facility 19
NC AVG 36
Rank #384 / 536
-
$12.9MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $12.9MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #40 / 84
$7.0MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $7.0MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #35 / 84
54.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 54.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #25 / 84
345554
Champions Assisted Living at the Davis Community
NH
AL
IL
MC
RC
SNF
Wilmington
115
Facility 115
NC AVG 72
Rank #53 / 387
93.9%
Facility 93.9%
NC AVG 70.6%
Rank #43 / 232
+33%
4.28
Facility 4.28
NC AVG 3.98
Rank #39 / 83
-19%+8%
$67.1k
Facility $67.1k
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #76 / 89
14
Facility 14
NC AVG 20.9
Rank #47 / 85
3.5
Facility 3.5
NC AVG 5.0
Rank #39 / 85
3108-
6
Facility 6
NC AVG 36
Rank #484 / 536
Charles Long
$14.9MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $14.9MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #26 / 84
$13.1MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $13.1MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #19 / 84
87.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 87.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #11 / 84
345160
Liberty Commons
NH
AL
HOS
PC
RC
SNF
Wilmington (Liberty Commons Center)
82
Facility 82
NC AVG 72
Rank #142 / 387
95.4%
Facility 95.4%
NC AVG 70.6%
Rank #37 / 232
+35%
3.71
Facility 3.71
NC AVG 3.98
Rank #61 / 83
-31%-7%
$35.8k
Facility $35.8k
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #66 / 89
22
Facility 22
NC AVG 20.9
Rank #61 / 85
5.5
Facility 5.5
NC AVG 5.0
Rank #65 / 85
578-
52
Facility 52
NC AVG 36
Rank #131 / 536
Charles Duff
$11.6MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $11.6MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #53 / 84
$5.0MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $5.0MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #60 / 84
42.9%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 42.9%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #53 / 84
345468
Peak Resources Wilmington
NH
HOS
RC
SNF
Wilmington (Lakeside Park)
110
Facility 110
NC AVG 72
Rank #60 / 387
81.9%
Facility 81.9%
NC AVG 70.6%
Rank #94 / 232
+16%
3.92
Facility 3.92
NC AVG 3.98
Rank #52 / 83
-52%-1%
$58.7k
Facility $58.7k
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #74 / 89
23
Facility 23
NC AVG 20.9
Rank #62 / 85
5.8
Facility 5.8
NC AVG 5.0
Rank #67 / 85
190-
33
Facility 33
NC AVG 36
Rank #281 / 536
Deborah Jean Nunn Mrtl Tr
$12.1MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $12.1MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #44 / 84
$4.9MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $4.9MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #63 / 84
40.8%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 40.8%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #62 / 84
345537

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every NC community we track that reports that metric, not just the 7 analyzed for Wilmington.

Overview of Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall

Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall is a luxury retirement home in Wilmington. With an emphasis on memory care living, the premier home provides a comfortable environment for assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing residents. The upscale home offers a professional care staff that ensures that residents can create memorable moments through the elevated lifestyle and experiences provided in the community. A home that encourages, empowers, and elevates the lifestyles of its seniors for an enhanced aging experience.

Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall has designed residential living to help fulfill a sense of independence and individuality for each resident. Community accommodations offer all-inclusive services, including spacious common areas, recreational rooms, housekeeping, assisted living for Alzheimer’s and dementia, and transportation services.

Contact Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall

Trinity Grove

631 Junction Creek Dr, Wilmington, NC 28412
Overview of Trinity Grove

Trinity Grove, located in Wilmington, NC, is a distinguished senior living community primarily providing skilled nursing services with a focus on memory care. The accommodation options at Trinity Grove include private or semi-private rooms, each equipped with private bathrooms to ensure residents’ comfort and privacy. The community is dedicated to comprehensive healthcare services, offering 24-hour skilled nursing care, physician coverage, licensed dietician and social worker support, and various therapies such as speech, physical, and occupational therapies.

Residents at Trinity Grove enjoy a range of amenities designed to enhance their living experience. The community provides restaurant-style meals, snacks, and beverages, ensuring a delightful dining experience. Trinity Grove also offers modern conveniences such as wireless internet, cable TV, and personal telephone options. Leisure opportunities, outings, special events, an internet cafe, hair salon, and barber shop further contribute to a vibrant and engaging community. Courtyards, gardens, and amenities such as a children’s playground and transportation services add to the overall comfort and convenience at Trinity Grove.

Contact Trinity Grove

Overview of Champions Assisted Living at the Davis Community

Champions Assisted Living, located within The Davis Communities in Wilmington, NC, is a senior living community specifically designed for The Davies Communities’ residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. They provide assisted living services along with memory care, in their one-to-two bedroom units equipped with living area, ample closet space, kitchenette, and private bathroom. As part of their assisted living services, the residents are provided round-the-clock availability of staff for supervision and assistance, diabetic care, medication management, and monthly wellness checkup, as well as therapy services.

The residents of Champions Assisted Living are also able to enjoy a myriad of amenities they offer including meal preparation services and dining options within the community, assistance with daily living activities, mobility and transportation assistance, access to fitness rooms and pool, and grooming services at the salon and spa. Being conveniently situated within the Davis Communities, Champions Assisted Living Services are also provided access to their auditorium, club room, and art studio. Lastly, they offer laundry and housekeeping services, to ensure the overall comfort of their residents’ stay.

Contact Champions Assisted Living at the Davis Community

Overview of Liberty Commons

Liberty Commons, a healthcare facility in Wilmington, NC, is dedicated to providing a range of services, including assisted living and skilled nursing services. The accommodation options at Liberty Commons feature spacious private and semi-private suites equipped with amenities such as complimentary WiFi internet, flat-screen TVs with complimentary cable, and in-room refrigerators. The community’s focus on healthcare services extends to assisted living, where residents receive personalized support tailored to their individual needs, including dressing, bathing, and medication reminders.

Liberty Commons offers a variety of amenities to enhance the living experience for residents. In-room dining, outdoor and indoor gathering areas, salon services, and daily housekeeping and laundry services contribute to a comfortable and well-maintained environment. The community ensures convenience with admissions available seven days a week. Residents also engage in social activities, fostering a sense of community and connection. Liberty Commons stands as a healthcare facility committed to providing not only essential services but also a supportive and engaging living experience for its residents.

Contact Liberty Commons

Overview of Peak Resources Wilmington

Peak Resources Wilmington, located in Wilmington, NC, is a rehabilitation and healthcare facility offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to both its long-term residents, and patients. Their skilled nursing services are committed to providing high quality care for their long-term residents as well as comfort, which is why part of the services they provide include dementia care, respite care, assisted living, and hospice care.

At Peak Resources Wilmington, residents are provided 24/7 nursing care, dietetic programming and nutrition management, medication management, wound and pain management, ostomy care and management and access to their nursing program, helping the residents to adapt and adjust to independent living, as safely as possible.

Contact Peak Resources Wilmington

Overview of Bradley Creek Health Center

Bradley Creek Health Center, located in Wilmington, NC, is a senior living community within Carolina Bay Autumn Hall, offering assisted living and memory care services, and skilled nursing care. The accommodation options include studio and one-bedroom units with baths, providing residents with comfortable and personalized living spaces. The community ensures 24/7 care availability, including medication administration and reminders, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and the expertise of registered nurses and speech therapists to support residents’ health and well-being.

Residents at Bradley Creek Health Center enjoy a range of amenities designed to enhance their living experience. The community prioritizes safety with 24-hour security and controlled building entry, along with an emergency notification system for residents’ peace of mind. Flexible meal plans, furnished meals, gardening, housekeeping services, and the opportunity for outings and day trips contribute to a well-rounded and enjoyable lifestyle. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the outside walking paths, providing a scenic and relaxing environment.

Contact Bradley Creek Health Center

Overview of The Residences at the Davis Community

Offering independent living within a full continuum of care, The Residences at the Davis Community is a senior living community in Wilmington, North Carolina. The larger campus provides services ranging from independent living to skilled nursing, allowing residents to move between care levels as their needs change. The Residences includes 11 apartment-style homes and 2 cottage-style homes for residents who want private living with nearby support.

Residents can choose one-bedroom or two-bedroom residences. Each home includes a living room, modern kitchen, dining area, and a walk-in dressing room connected to a private bathroom. Home repairs and housekeeping are included, allowing residents to spend less time on household upkeep. A 24-hour security and emergency response system provides added peace of mind. Property taxes and utilities are also included in the monthly rent to make budgeting more predictable.

The community is located in the Porters Neck Road area of Wilmington, about 8.8 miles from the city center. The car-dependent area has a Walk Score of 3 out of 100. Residents and visiting family should drive for most errands and outings. That tradeoff may be worthwhile for those who prefer a quieter suburban setting over a walkable downtown neighborhood.

Families looking for an independent living option should ask how the campus-wide continuum of care works. Having independent living through skilled nursing on one campus can make it easier for residents to transition to a different level of care without relocating.

Contact The Residences at The Davis Community

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Submit a correction
Who we are

Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way

We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

Contact us Today

Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Wilmington, NC

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in North Carolina?

Assisted living in North Carolina is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover nursing home care?

Yes — North Carolina Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 7 nursing homes in Wilmington, NC. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home in Wilmington, NC?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Wilmington, NC, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Wilmington, NC?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.