County · North Carolina
Wilson County, North Carolina
Wilson County, North Carolina. Wilson County had 81,150 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 9 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs) and 25 census tracts. GEOID 37195.
Wilson County is the county of the Wilson, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
81,150
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 78,784 · ACS 2020-2024: 79,290
Median household income
$56,423
±$3,380 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$186,000
±$8,936 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$953
±$35 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Wilson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 78,784 residents in Wilson County. The Census Bureau estimates 81,150 for July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 79,290 over 368 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wilson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 79,290 | 10,730,404 | −2,145 |
| Households | 33,068±423 | 4,282,345 | +1,054 |
| Average household size | 2.36±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 37,053±46 | 4,895,668 | +907 |
Wilson County's population since 2000
From 73,814 in 2000 to 81,150 in 2025: up 9.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Wilson County?
Wilson County holds 9 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Wilson with 49,572 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wilson | 47,851 | $52,485 |
|---|---|---|
| Elm City | 1,218 | $36,150 |
| Lucama | 1,036 | $54,583 |
| Stantonsburg | 762 | $61,176 |
| Black Creek | 692 | $53,750 |
| Sharpsburg | 1,697 | $54,709 |
| Saratoga | 353 | $30,469 |
| SimsGEOID 3762060 | 275 | $78,267 |
| Kenly | 1,491 | $57,045 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Wilson County?
The median resident of Wilson County is 40.6 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 19.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 44.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 38.6%. 6.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wilson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6±0.4 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.8%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.3%±0.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.4% | 11.3% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 44.3%±0.5 pts | 60.0% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 38.6%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.7 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.1%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.0%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±0.9 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.0%±0.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.2%±1.1 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±1.3 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.7%±1.5 pts | 35.7% | +2.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.2%±1.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Wilson County earn?
Half of Wilson County's 33,068 households earn less than $56,423 a year (±$3,380), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $53,999 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wilson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,423±$3,380 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,415±$3,783 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,996±$1,647 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.8%±1.9 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.4%±4.5 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.1%±1.9 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.7%±1.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Wilson County?
Owners occupy 60.0% of Wilson County's occupied homes and renters 40.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $186,000 by its owner (±$8,936). The median renter pays $953 a month including utilities, and 40.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wilson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $186,000±$8,936 | $288,900 | +$33,886 |
| Median gross rent | $953±$35 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.4%±3.9 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,386±$47 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.0%±1.8 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 37,053±46 | 4,895,668 | +907 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3%±2.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.3%±1.9 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.9%±1.2 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.8%±0.9 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Wilson County building?
Builders took permits for 411 new housing units across Wilson County in 2025 (357 single-family), 5.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wilson County get to work?
79.5% of Wilson County's workers drive alone and 7.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | Wilson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.5%±1.4 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6%±1.1 pts | 4.7% | −2.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±2.0 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.9%±1.6 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.7%±1.1 pts | 16.3% | +5.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.5 min±0.8 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Wilson County's census tracts?
Wilson County is divided into 25 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $17,440 (Tract 8.01) to $106,071 (Tract 5.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wilson County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 36th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 65th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 26th of 100 |
| Median household income | 69th of 100 |
| Median home value | 67th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 45th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th of 100 |
| Median age | 69th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Wilson County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.