1st Advantage MortgageIn Wilson County, North Carolina, the typical household earns $56,423 a year and the typical rent is $953. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in North Carolina before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Wilson County
- Paychecks and income spread in Wilson County
- Renting and owning in Wilson County
- Jobs and commutes in Wilson County
- Wilson County towns compared
- Wilson County and the counties next door
- What a median Wilson County budget can carry
- Reading the Wilson County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Wilson County, in numbers
- Steps before you apply in Wilson County
- Lender oversight for Wilson County
- More guides for Wilson County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Wilson County
Roughly 79,290 residents live in Wilson County, North Carolina, 36th by population among the state's 100 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 368 square miles, that is close to 216 residents for every square mile of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Wilson is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 48,370 people (61% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Wilson County
The median household income in Wilson County is $56,423; statewide it is $72,388, so Wilson County runs 22% below North Carolina as a whole. That places it 69th among North Carolina's 100 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Wilson County | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.4% | +8.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.1% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -5.1 pts |
About 31% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 19.8% of Wilson County residents in poverty, against 13.0% across North Carolina. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Wilson County median.
Renting and owning in Wilson County
Renters in Wilson County pay a median of $953 a month, 22% below the North Carolina figure of $1,228. 47% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $186,000, a typical Wilson County house costs 3.3 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 60%. The median year built is 1986.
| Measure | Wilson County | North Carolina | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $953/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $186,000 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 60% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 25% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Wilson County
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Compared with North Carolina, the county leans toward manufacturing (17% against 12%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 80% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Wilson County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.8% | +5.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -3.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Wilson County towns compared
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 70% of Wilson County residents live in one of the 8. Sims has the highest median household income on the list ($78,267) and Elm City the lowest ($36,150), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Kenly ($787) and steepest in Sims ($1,027). This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson | city | 48,370 | $52,485 | $971 | 2 mi |
| Kenly | town | 2,359 | $57,045 | $787 | 13 mi |
| Elm City | town | 1,292 | $36,150 | $859 | 8 mi |
| Lucama | town | 1,205 | $54,583 | $980 | 6 mi |
| Stantonsburg | town | 958 | $61,176 | $919 | 9 mi |
| Black Creek | town | 749 | $53,750 | $868 | 4 mi |
| Sims | town | 522 | $78,267 | $1,027 | 9 mi |
| Saratoga | town | 291 | $30,469 | $800 | 9 mi |
Wilson County and the counties next door
Nash County is closest, 19 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pitt County, is 32 miles off. Johnston County leads the group on income ($83,384), Edgecombe County trails ($51,265), and Wilson County out-earns 2 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson County | - | $56,423 | $953/mo | 60% |
| Nash County, NC | 19 mi | $62,426 | $953/mo | 64% |
| Greene County, NC | 20 mi | $53,244 | $853/mo | 67% |
| Edgecombe County, NC | 23 mi | $51,265 | $858/mo | 61% |
| Wayne County, NC | 24 mi | $59,733 | $965/mo | 61% |
| Johnston County, NC | 28 mi | $83,384 | $1,146/mo | 76% |
| Pitt County, NC | 32 mi | $58,188 | $993/mo | 51% |
What a median Wilson County budget can carry
How much room does a median Wilson County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,702 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $953, takes 20% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $740 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $1,069: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Wilson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Reading the Wilson County data as a borrower
What the Wilson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 14% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Free help first. 20% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Tight rental budgets. With 47% of Wilson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Who lives in Wilson County, in numbers
Degree holders: 22% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 12.2%, against 9.9% for North Carolina.
| People and households | Wilson County | North Carolina | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.7% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.7% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.2% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.7% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.8% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Wilson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.6% |
Steps before you apply in Wilson County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Carolina.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Wilson County
Consumer lenders serving Wilson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Carolina that is the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on North Carolina: North Carolina personal loans.
More guides for Wilson County
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wilson County a high-income county?
Its $56,423 median ranks 69th of 100 North Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Wilson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $953 against $1,228 statewide, and 47% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Wilson County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Wilson, Kenly, Elm City, Lucama, Stantonsburg and 3 more.
Is the fit check different in Wilson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Wilson County?
Start with the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.