Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 78,784. The county seat is Wilson. The county comprises the Wilson, NC micropolitan statistical area, which is also included within the Rocky Mount-Wilson-Roanoke Rapids, NC combined statistical area.
Contents
History
On February 13, 1855, the North Carolina General Assembly established Wilson County from parts of Edgecombe, Johnston, Nash, and Wayne Counties. The county was named for Colonel Louis D. Wilson, a U.S. Volunteers soldier, who died of yellow fever while on leave from the state senate during the Mexican–American War.
Wilson Speedway held 12 NASCAR Cup Series races at the county fairgrounds in Wilson between 1951 and 1960. The half-mile dirt track operated between 1934 and 1989.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 373.10 square miles (966.3 km2), of which 5.53 square miles (14.3 km2) (1.48%) are covered by water.
State and local protected site
Tobacco Farm Life Museum
Major water bodies
Black Creek
Buckhorn Reservoir
Contentnea Creek
Lake Wilson
Silver Lake
Wiggins Mill Reservoir
Adjacent counties
Nash County – north
Edgecombe County – northeast
Pitt County – east
Greene County – southeast
Wayne County – south
Johnston County – southwest
Major infrastructure
Amtrak Thruway (Wilson Station)
Wilson Industrial Air Center
Wilson Station
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, 78,784 people, 32,222 households, and 19,760 families were residing in the county. The population density was 199 people per square mile (77 people/km2).
The median age was 41.9 years; 22.5% of the residents were under 18 and 19.7% were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males, and for every 100 females 18 and over, there were 86.8 males 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 47.4% White, 38.2% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 7.2% from some other race, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 11.5% of the population.
About 62.1% of the residents lived in urban areas, while 37.9% lived in rural areas.
Of the 32,222 households in the county, 29.2% had children under 18 living in them, 41.0% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 34.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.
The county had 36,252 housing units, of which 11.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 60.1% were owner-occupied and 39.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%, and the rental vacancy rate was 5.8%.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, of the 28,613 households, 31.9% had children under 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were not families. About 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51, and the average family size was 3.03.
The age distribution was 25.6% under 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.30 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 87.20 males.
The median income in the county for a household was $33,116 and for a family was $41,551. Males had a median income of $30,364 versus $21,997 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,102. About 13.8% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under 18 and 21.3% of those 65 or over.
Government and politics
Wilson County government is a member of the regional Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments. It has several law-enforcement agencies:
Wilson County Sheriff's Office
Wilson Police Department (City of Wilson)
Stantonsburg Police Department (Town of Stantonsburg)
Black Creek Police Department (Town of Black Creek)
Sharpsburg Police Department (Town of Sharpsburg)
Communities
City
Wilson (county seat and largest community)