Wilson, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wilson, North Carolina had a total population of 48,370, the 23rd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $52,485, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Wilson Quick Facts
How Wilson Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,740 | 48,370 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $47,294 | $52,485 | +11.0% |
| Median home value | $192,000 | $210,700 | +9.7% |
How Wilson Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wilson Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wilson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucama | 1,205 | $54,583 | 20.1% | $115,500 |
| Stantonsburg | 958 | $61,176 | 20.8% | $132,600 |
| Black Creek | 749 | $53,750 | 20.2% | $112,200 |
| Sims | 522 | $78,267 | 3.8% | $196,900 |
| Saratoga | 291 | $30,469 | 20.3% | $97,900 |
Cities Similar to Wilson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | $165,700 | 22.9% | 19.7% |
| Hickory | 44,258 | $64,576 | $278,400 | 37.0% | 17.1% |
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | $199,200 | 29.6% | 16.4% |
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | $242,500 | 29.9% | 26.3% |
| Mooresville | 52,381 | $89,647 | $390,900 | 45.5% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Wilson is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Wilson County. The total population is 48,370. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wilson is 39.5 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wilson is $52,485. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 76% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 6.7%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $210,700. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 49.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wilson is Black or African American, making up 46.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.9% vs 20.0%).
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wilson, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wilson, North Carolina?
Wilson, North Carolina has a population of 48,370 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wilson, NC?
The median household income in Wilson is $52,485, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wilson, NC?
The poverty rate in Wilson is 23.0%. This means approximately 10,837 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wilson, North Carolina?
Wilson's population is 34.9% White, 46.9% Black, 12.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wilson, NC?
The median home value in Wilson is $210,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Wilson, North Carolina?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Wilson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.