1st Advantage MortgageWilson County households have a median income of $95,839 and median rent of $1,486 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Tennessee license first.
On this page
- Wilson County at a glance
- What it costs to live in Wilson County
- Paychecks and income spread in Wilson County
- What stands out in Wilson County
- Work, industries and travel time in Wilson County
- Wilson County communities by population
- Wilson County next to its neighbors
- What a median Wilson County budget can carry
- Before borrowing in Wilson County
- People and households in Wilson County
- Tennessee lender licensing
- A Wilson County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Wilson County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wilson County's population at 158,805; only 9 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 571 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 278 per square mile. Wilson County counts toward the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN include it. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (3 incorporated, 7 census-designated); the largest is Lebanon, with about 44,788 residents, or 28% of the county.
What it costs to live in Wilson County
$1,486 a month is the median gross rent in Wilson County, 25% above the state. About 5 in 10 Wilson County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. With a median value of $428,000, a typical Wilson County house costs 4.5 times what the median household earns in a year. In Wilson County, 77% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Half the housing stock was built before 2000. Against the median U.S. county, Wilson County rent is 69% above.
| Cost | Wilson County | Tennessee figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 77% | 67% | +10.1 pts |
| Median home value | $428,000 | $286,700 | 49% higher |
| Median gross rent | $1,486/mo | $1,189/mo | 25% higher |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 25% | -1.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 49% | -0.3 pts |
At a $428,000 median value, many Wilson County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Paychecks and income spread in Wilson County
Median household income in Wilson County: $95,839 (38% above Tennessee, $69,595). In the state ranking that is 2nd of 95.
| Income band | Share in Wilson County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.9% | -9.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.4% | -5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.8% | +9.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.0% | +5.0 pts |
Some 15% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 48% have six-figure incomes. 8.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Gini index for Wilson County: 0.437. None of these numbers decides a Wilson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What stands out in Wilson County
Out of every Tennessee county, Wilson County is most unusual on these measures.
- On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Wilson County sits near the top of Tennessee at 48%, 2nd highest of 95. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
- The poverty rate: 8.0% in Wilson County. Only 2 of 95 Tennessee counties are lower. Even here, a fee-first loan offer is a scam.
- Few Tennessee counties match Wilson County on median household income: $95,839 here, $69,595 for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 95. Higher local incomes do not change lender rules; your documented income is what counts.
Work, industries and travel time in Wilson County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Wilson County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. The survey's unemployment rate for Wilson County averages 3.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). 19% of Wilson County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 24% need 45 or more. 2.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Wilson County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.2% | -1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.4% | +0.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% | -2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -0.9 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +0.2 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 communities by population
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Wilson County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 100,389 people, so roughly 37% of residents live outside any named place. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $40,102, Rural Hill over Watertown. Median rent ranges from $1,036 in Watertown to $2,011 in Mount Juliet. Lebanon and every other Wilson County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | city | 44,788 | $72,848 | $1,306 | 5 mi |
| Mount Juliet | city | 42,073 | $107,068 | $2,011 | 13 mi |
| Green Hill | CDP | 6,866 | $91,818 | $1,296 | 17 mi |
| Gladeville | CDP | 2,199 | $97,148 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Rural Hill | CDP | 2,075 | $108,250 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Watertown | city | 1,463 | $68,148 | $1,036 | 9 mi |
| Tuckers Crossroads | CDP | 426 | $92,679 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Statesville | CDP | 201 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Greenvale | CDP | 161 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Norene | CDP | 137 | $122,054 | n/a | 7 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Wilson County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 28 miles). Wilson County's $95,839 median trails 0 of the six and beats 6; the range runs $59,443 (Cannon County) to $90,301 (Sumner County).
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson County | - | $95,839 | $1,486/mo | 77% |
| Trousdale County, TN | 18 mi | $72,747 | $853/mo | 74% |
| Smith County, TN | 21 mi | $66,293 | $922/mo | 77% |
| Rutherford County, TN | 22 mi | $85,470 | $1,502/mo | 65% |
| Sumner County, TN | 24 mi | $90,301 | $1,424/mo | 72% |
| Cannon County, TN | 27 mi | $59,443 | $908/mo | 78% |
| Davidson County, TN | 28 mi | $77,853 | $1,582/mo | 53% |
What a median Wilson County budget can carry
Wilson County's $95,839 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- $7,987 a month: gross income for a household at the Wilson County median
- Median rent: $1,486, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,389 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,948 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $1,486, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Wilson County
- Car trouble. For Wilson County drivers (24% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- Consolidation math. With 48% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
People and households in Wilson County
College graduates make up 38% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 7.1%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| People and households | Wilson County | Compared with Tennessee | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8 | +0.9 yrs | -1.7 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 37.8% | +6.8 pts | +15.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.6% | -3.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.1% | -2.9 pts | -0.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.2% | -3.0 pts | -3.2 pts |
| Work from home | 16.8% | +3.9 pts | +8.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.0% | -5.8 pts | -5.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | -1.5 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.9% |
| 60+ min | 10.8% |
Tennessee lender licensing
Consumer lenders serving Wilson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Tennessee that is the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Wilson County residents can file with the CFPB. The Tennessee page has statewide figures to set beside Wilson County's.
A Wilson County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Wilson County residents:
- Price the Wilson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Tennessee borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Wilson County rank on income in Tennessee?
2nd of 95, with a median of $95,839. The state median is $69,595.
Is Wilson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,486 against $1,189 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Wilson County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 77% of Wilson County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
What are the biggest places in Wilson County?
By population: Lebanon, Mount Juliet, Green Hill, Gladeville, Rural Hill. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Can Wilson County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Tennessee county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.