Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 81,234. The county seat is Wilson. The county comprises the Wilson Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included within the Rocky Mount–Wilson–Roanoke Rapids Combined Statistical Area.
History
On February 13, 1855, the North Carolina General Assembly established Wilson County "out of portions of Edgecombe, Johnston, Nash, and Wayne Counties." The county was named for Colonel Louis D. Wilson, U.S. Volunteers, who died of fever while on leave from the state senate during the Mexican–American War.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which are land and (1.5%) are covered by water.
Adjacent counties
Nash County – north
Edgecombe County – northeast
Pitt County – east
Greene County – southeast
Wayne County – south
Johnston County – southwest
Major highways
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 78,784 people, 32,384 households, and 19,760 families residing in the county. The population density was 199 people per square mile (77/km2). There were 30,729 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile (32/km2). 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
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)
Politics
Communities
City
thumb|300px|Map of Wilson County, North Carolina with municipal and township labels
Wilson (county seat)
Towns
Black Creek
Elm City
Kenly (part)
Lucama
Saratoga
Sims
Stantonsburg
Sharpsburg (part)
Unincorporated communities
Montclair
New Hope
Rock Ridge
Townships
Black Creek
Cross Roads
Gardners
Old Fields
Saratoga
Springhill
Stantonsburg
Taylors
Toisnot
Wilson
