Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the 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.
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, an 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 , of which is land and (1.48%) is 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 highways
(small section undesignated)
Major infrastructure
Amtrak Thruway (Wilson Station) Wilson Industrial Air Center Wilson Station
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 78,784 people, 32,384 households, and 19,760 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 30,729 housing units at an average density of . There were 28,613 households, out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.10% were married couples living together, 16.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.60% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,116, and the median income 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 13.80% of families and 18.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 21.30% of those age 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)
Towns
Black Creek
Elm City
Kenly (part) Lucama Saratoga Sims Stantonsburg Sharpsburg (part)