The City of Northwest is located in northwestern Brunswick County, North Carolina, near the Columbus County line. Northwest is a family-oriented community with deep Brunswick County roots, a rich agricultural heritage and available land for industry and development. Northwest is easily accessible via U.S. 74/76 and Interstate 140 and is traversed by the CSX rail line.

The City of Northwest became Brunswick County’s 18th incorporated municipality in 1993.

The newly incorporated municipality hired its first City Clerk in June 1993 and its first Chief of Police in December 1996. The city government initially operated out of the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department, and the Northwest Police Department was initially housed in the Northwest Community Building on Vernon Road.

In February 1997 the City purchased a five-acre tract adjacent to the Community Building. This tract would become the location of the current Northwest City Hall in December 1998.