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Wilson County, North Carolina facts for kids

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Wilson County
County of Wilson
Wilson County Courthouse
Wilson County Courthouse
Official seal of Wilson County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Wilson County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  North Carolina
Founded February 13, 1855; 169 years ago (1855-02-13)
Named for Col. Louis D. Wilson
Seat Wilson
Largest city Wilson
Area
 • Total 374 sq mi (970 km2)
 • Land 368 sq mi (950 km2)
 • Water 5.6 sq mi (15 km2)  1.5%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
78,369
 • Density 213/sq mi (82/km2)
Time zone UTC−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 code 252
Congressional district 1st

Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 78,784. 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 374 square miles (970 km2), of which 368 square miles (950 km2) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km2) (1.5%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • I-95
  • I-795
  • US 117
  • US 264

  • US 264 Alt.
  • US 301
  • NC 42
  • NC 58
  • NC 111
  • NC 222
  • NC 581

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 9,720
1870 12,258 26.1%
1880 16,064 31.0%
1890 18,644 16.1%
1900 23,596 26.6%
1910 28,269 19.8%
1920 36,813 30.2%
1930 44,914 22.0%
1940 50,219 11.8%
1950 54,506 8.5%
1960 57,716 5.9%
1970 57,486 −0.4%
1980 63,132 9.8%
1990 66,061 4.6%
2000 73,814 11.7%
2010 81,234 10.1%
2020 78,784 −3.0%
2021 (est.) 78,369 −3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

Wilson County racial composition
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%

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.

Communities

City

Map of Wilson County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels
Map of Wilson County, North Carolina with municipal and township labels

Towns

Unincorporated community

Townships

  • Black Creek
  • Cross Roads
  • Gardners
  • Old Fields
  • Saratoga
  • Springhill
  • Stantonsburg
  • Taylors
  • Toisnot
  • Wilson

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Wilson (Carolina del Norte) para niños

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