Living in Wilson, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Wilson · Census data 2020–2024
Wilson has 48,370 residents with a median age of 39.5. The median household income is $52,485 (27% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $210,700, the median rent is $971/month.
Wilson at a glance
- Population
- 48,370
- Median age
- 39.5State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $52,485State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $210,700State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $971/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 49.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.5%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Wilson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 27% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 27% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 6.7%; a poverty rate of 23%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Wilson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Wilson the median home value is $210,700, 37% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $971 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,436 a month in housing costs.
Wilson median household income
The median household income in Wilson is $52,485 and the income per person is $31,704. 23% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Wilson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 22,934
- Owner-occupied
- 49.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.9%
- Vacant
- 11%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.31
Wilson demographics
- Population
- 48,370
- Median age
- 39.5
- Under 18
- 22.9%
- 65 and older
- 18.1%
- Households
- 20,403
- Foreign-born
- 6.9%
- Veterans
- 5.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Wilson ›
Education in Wilson
24.5% of adults 25 and older in Wilson have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 9.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Wilson
- Unemployment rate
- 6.7%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 7.4%
- Drive alone
- 78.9%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 2%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.4%
Wilson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson | 48,370 | $52,485 | $210,700 | $971 |
| Elm City | 1,292 | $36,150 | $109,300 | $859 |
| Black Creek | 749 | $53,750 | $112,200 | $868 |
| Lucama | 1,205 | $54,583 | $115,500 | $980 |
| Sims | 522 | $78,267 | $196,900 | $1,027 |
| Saratoga | 291 | $30,469 | $97,900 | $800 |
| Bailey | 422 | $60,208 | $155,700 | $814 |
| Stantonsburg | 958 | $61,176 | $132,600 | $919 |
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | $121,900 | $954 |
More for people moving to Wilson
Wilson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Wilson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Wilson, NC?
The median household income in Wilson is $52,485, 27% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Wilson?
The median home value in Wilson is $210,700, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Wilson?
The median gross rent in Wilson is $971 per month, about 28.4% of household income.
Is Wilson, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 27% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 27% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 6.7%; a poverty rate of 23%.
What is the median age in Wilson?
The median age in Wilson is 39.5 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Wilson?
The average commute to work in Wilson is 21 minutes; 7.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Wilson?
The unemployment rate in Wilson is 6.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Wilson?
24.5% of adults in Wilson have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: