Population 56,245 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Wilson
Household size in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.46 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Wilson are small: just 2.36 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has edged down from 2.43 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.9 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.2 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.1 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.2 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Wilson are younger than 41.1 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 38.9 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the east and oldest in the southwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.5% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.5% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.4% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Wilson (14.4%), above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Wilson has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of North Carolina cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Wilson
Renters in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.1% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 45.5% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.7% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 46.0% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Wilson than nationally: 46.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. About four in ten owners (40.8%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 1.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only 16 have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.7% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in Wilson than nationally: 11.8%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is up 2.0 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +7 | +6 |
Homes in Wilson are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1984, versus 1980 across the U.S. Even so, homes here are older than in North Carolina overall, where the median home dates to 1990. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $767 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $773 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $807 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,004 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$237 | +$528 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Wilson costs $1,004 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $237 a month since 2006–10, up 31%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.7% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Wilson
Bachelor's degrees in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.8% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.3% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.5% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.4% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Wilson: 22.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 1.6 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the southeast.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.8% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.8% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 79.8% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.4% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.6 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in six adults in Wilson never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.6 points, in line with the national trend. Wilson has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five North Carolina cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Wilson
| Period | Wilson | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Wilson: 6.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 5.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Wilson compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson | 2.36 | 41.1 | 14.4% | 46.0% | 11.8% | 1984 | $1,004 | 22.4% | 84.4% | 6.6% |
| Rosebud | 2.90 | 29.8 | 30.7% | 29.8% | 15.9% | 1993 | $942 | 17.8% | 81.5% | 6.3% |
| Stotts Crossroads | 2.76 | 35.7 | 3.1% | 13.6% | 7.5% | 2004 | $974 | 35.3% | 94.6% | 8.3% |
| Elm City | 2.47 | 45.9 | 12.9% | 18.5% | 8.5% | 1987 | $984 | 18.9% | 91.0% | 4.2% |
| Winstead Crossroads | 2.53 | 44.9 | 12.4% | 14.0% | 4.6% | 1991 | $852 | 27.8% | 89.5% | 3.1% |
| Black Creek | 2.67 | 38.7 | 9.1% | 37.3% | 8.8% | 1990 | $1,104 | 6.8% | 87.3% | 5.1% |
| Holdens Crossroads | 1.87 | 54.5 | 4.1% | 29.8% | 12.6% | 1991 | $921 | 18.1% | 77.2% | 5.5% |
| Lamm | 3.24 | 44.4 | 4.9% | 21.6% | 20.7% | 1992 | $870 | 11.3% | 53.8% | 7.5% |
| Evansdale | 2.53 | 41.7 | 18.1% | 25.5% | 8.9% | 1992 | $952 | 17.9% | 85.8% | 2.9% |
| Lucama | 2.70 | 39.2 | 10.6% | 31.9% | 10.1% | 1987 | $837 | 17.2% | 80.1% | 4.0% |
| Sims | 2.53 | 35.8 | 9.3% | 16.9% | 7.9% | 1993 | $965 | 21.2% | 89.3% | 4.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Jackson, NJ · Yucaipa, CA · Weymouth Town, MA · West Haven, CT · Statesboro, GA · San Jacinto, CA · Punta Gorda, FL · Prescott, AZ · Lufkin, TX · Kernersville, NC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Wilson. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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