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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wilson

North Carolina · 47,851 residents · 31.386 sq mi
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The short version

Wilson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,126. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $146,000. The poverty rate of 23.2% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
47,851
+8%since 2000
from 44,405 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,525 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 1,415 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.1
+17%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
36K39K43K47K51K1990201020202024Wilson
202448K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,126
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,169 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,286
+36%since 2000
from $17,813 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.6%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 21.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16.5%
US avg: 10%
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$146,000
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $90,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$747
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $478 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 51.0% in 2000
49.4% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+16%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wilson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic43.9%(19,479)
Black47.3%(21,007)
Hispanic / Latino7.3%(3,237)
Asian0.5%(238)
Other0%
Diversity Score71.2%(31,631)
2020
White, non-Hispanic36.6%(17,503)
Black47.9%(22,914)
Hispanic / Latino10.1%(4,824)
Asian1.7%(811)
Other3%(1,437)
Diversity Score77.5%(37,073)
Diversity Score
77
+9%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.8%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 19.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.7%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+45%since 2000
from 13.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 79.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.9%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.0%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 14.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.4%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 61.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.0%
−27.3 ptssince 2009
from 61.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
54.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
6.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.0%
−69.9 ptssince 2013
from 81.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Wilson to nearby cities

WILSON VS
Rocky Mount
Income$55,534+29%
Home value$165,700+13%
Population55,120+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILSON VS
Zebulon
Income$79,112+83%
Home value$320,700+120%
Population11,933−76%
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WILSON VS
Tarboro
Income$49,796+15%
Home value$185,500+27%
Population10,979−78%
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WILSON VS
Wendell
Income$95,787+122%
Home value$330,500+126%
Population19,687−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wilson, North Carolina?

Wilson, North Carolina has about 47,851 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wilson, North Carolina?

The typical household in Wilson, North Carolina earns about $43,126 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wilson, North Carolina expensive?

In Wilson, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $146,000, and the typical rent is about $747 a month.

How educated are people in Wilson, North Carolina?

About 22.8% of adults age 25 and over in Wilson, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wilson, North Carolina?

About 23.2% of people in Wilson, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wilson, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Wilson, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 10,921 residents, a change of about 30 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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