Wilson County, North Carolina

Wilson County, North Carolina
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)
Townships
Black Creek
Cross Roads
Gardners
Old Fields
Saratoga
Springhill
Stantonsburg
Taylors
Toisnot
Wilson
Unincorporated communities
Montclair
New Hope
Rock Ridge
Lamms Crossroads
See also
List of counties in North Carolina
National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilson County, North Carolina
List of places named after people in the United States
Rocky Mount–Wilson Regional Airport, airport north of the county in Nash County
References
External links
Wilson County Genealogical Society
North Carolina counties
1855 establishments in North Carolina
Populated places established in 1855
Majority-minority counties in North Carolina