Wilson County, North Carolina

County in North Carolina, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wilson County, North Carolinamap

Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 78,784.[1] The county seat is Wilson.[2] The county comprises the Wilson, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included within the Rocky Mount-Wilson-Roanoke Rapids, NC Combined Statistical Area.

Quick Facts Country, State ...
Wilson County
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Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
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North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35.70°N 77.92°W / 35.70; -77.92
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1855
Named forCol. Louis D. Wilson
SeatWilson
Largest communityWilson
Area
  Total373.10 sq mi (966.3 km2)
  Land367.57 sq mi (952.0 km2)
  Water5.53 sq mi (14.3 km2)  1.48%
Population
 (2020)
  Total78,784
  Estimate 
(2023)
78,970 Increase
  Density210/sq mi (82/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
27542, 27557, 27803, 27807, 27813, 27822, 27829, 27830, 27851, 27852, 27873, 27878, 27880, 27883, 27888, 27893, 27895, 27896
Area code252
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.wilsoncountync.gov
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History

On February 13, 1855, the North Carolina General Assembly established Wilson County from parts of Edgecombe, Johnston, Nash, and Wayne counties.[3] 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.[4]

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

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Interactive map of Wilson County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 373.10 square miles (966.3 km2), of which 367.57 square miles (952.0 km2) is land and 5.53 square miles (14.3 km2) (1.48%) is water.[5]

State and local protected site

  • Tobacco Farm Life Museum[6]

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics

More information Census, Pop. ...
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18609,720
187012,25826.1%
188016,06431.0%
189018,64416.1%
190023,59626.6%
191028,26919.8%
192036,81330.2%
193044,91422.0%
194050,21911.8%
195054,5068.5%
196057,7165.9%
197057,486−0.4%
198063,1329.8%
199066,0614.6%
200073,81411.7%
201081,23410.1%
202078,784−3.0%
2023 (est.)78,970[1]0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13]
1990–2000[14] 2010[15] 2020[1]
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2020 census

More information Race, Number ...
Wilson County racial composition[16]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 36,106 45.83%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 29,842 37.88%
Native American 239 0.3%
Asian 900 1.14%
Pacific Islander 10 0.01%
Other/Mixed 2,663 3.38%
Hispanic or Latino 9,024 11.45%
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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 199 people per square mile (77 people/km2). There were 30,729 housing units at an average density of 83 units per square mile (32 units/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 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)
More information Year, Republican ...
United States presidential election results for Wilson County, North Carolina[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2020 19,581 48.07% 20,754 50.95% 400 0.98%
2016 17,531 45.97% 19,663 51.56% 941 2.47%
2012 17,954 45.91% 20,875 53.38% 280 0.72%
2008 17,375 46.72% 19,652 52.84% 164 0.44%
2004 16,264 53.26% 14,206 46.52% 65 0.21%
2000 13,466 54.24% 11,266 45.38% 94 0.38%
1996 10,518 49.03% 9,779 45.59% 1,154 5.38%
1992 10,176 44.36% 10,105 44.06% 2,656 11.58%
1988 10,997 57.11% 8,214 42.65% 46 0.24%
1984 12,243 59.31% 8,343 40.42% 57 0.28%
1980 8,329 49.86% 8,042 48.14% 333 1.99%
1976 6,795 45.05% 8,209 54.42% 80 0.53%
1972 12,060 73.04% 4,166 25.23% 286 1.73%
1968 4,053 25.13% 4,173 25.87% 7,903 49.00%
1964 5,002 40.87% 7,238 59.13% 0 0.00%
1960 3,114 27.97% 8,021 72.03% 0 0.00%
1956 2,830 25.36% 8,328 74.64% 0 0.00%
1952 2,569 22.83% 8,684 77.17% 0 0.00%
1948 665 9.55% 6,008 86.25% 293 4.21%
1944 769 10.61% 6,480 89.39% 0 0.00%
1940 584 6.87% 7,912 93.13% 0 0.00%
1936 549 6.80% 7,522 93.20% 0 0.00%
1932 517 7.69% 6,153 91.55% 51 0.76%
1928 1,933 35.35% 3,535 64.65% 0 0.00%
1924 574 17.53% 2,619 79.99% 81 2.47%
1920 1,374 28.21% 3,496 71.79% 0 0.00%
1916 730 26.24% 2,052 73.76% 0 0.00%
1912 82 3.44% 1,741 73.03% 561 23.53%
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Communities

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Map of Wilson County with municipal and township labels

City

  • Wilson (county seat and largest community)

Towns

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

References

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