Wilson city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wilson city, North Carolina has a total population of 47,740, the 23rd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $47,294, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Wilson city Quick Facts
How Wilson city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wilson city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Wilson city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount city | 54,175 | $52,927 | $148,300 | 21.5% | 21.2% |
| Hickory city | 43,747 | $63,361 | $248,300 | 35.9% | 17.0% |
| Burlington city | 58,599 | $54,941 | $188,700 | 28.7% | 18.0% |
| Salisbury city | 35,730 | $51,058 | $215,200 | 26.9% | 24.3% |
| Goldsboro city | 33,448 | $47,005 | $173,700 | 21.4% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
Wilson city is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina. The total population is 47,740. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wilson city is 39.1 years. This is about average than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wilson city is $47,294. This is 32% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 90% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $192,000. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wilson city is Black or African American, making up 48.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.9% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wilson city, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wilson city, North Carolina?
Wilson city, North Carolina has a population of 47,740 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wilson city, NC?
The median household income in Wilson city is $47,294, which is 40% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wilson city, NC?
The poverty rate in Wilson city is 25.1%. This means approximately 11,640 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wilson city, North Carolina?
Wilson city's population is 35.2% White, 48.9% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wilson city, NC?
The median home value in Wilson city is $192,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Wilson city, North Carolina?
22.8% of adults (25+) in Wilson city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.