Wilson, NC Demographics

A map of Wilson's Population by Race

Wilson, North Carolina has an estimated population of 48,370, a slight increase from the 47,851 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 46.9% Black, 34.9% White, 12.5% Hispanic, 3.0% Multiracial, 1.7% Asian, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wilson, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wilson has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Wilson, that probability was 62.5% in 2020 and 64.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wilson is ranked the 23rd most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Wilson was ranked the 22nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wilson's White Population

16,898 residents of Wilson, or 34.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wilson is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Wilson ranks 681st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wilson's White population has declined by an estimated 3.5%. White residents' share of Wilson's population has decreased from 36.6% to 34.9%.

Wilson is more White than neighboring Elm City (25.2% White), Sims (27% White), and Stantonsburg (34.8% White). Wilson is less White than neighboring Black Creek (59.1% White), and Lucama (42.5% White).

Wilson's Black Population

22,693 residents of Wilson, or 46.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wilson is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Wilson ranks 84th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wilson's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Wilson's population has decreased from 47.9% to 46.9%.

Wilson is more Black than neighboring Black Creek (22.2% Black), Lucama (33.4% Black), Sims (25.7% Black), and Stantonsburg (43.4% Black). Wilson is less Black than neighboring Elm City (73.3% Black).

Wilson's Asian Population

831 residents of Wilson, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wilson is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Wilson ranks 150th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wilson's Asian population has grown by an estimated 2.5%. Asian residents' share of Wilson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

Wilson is more Asian than neighboring Black Creek (0% Asian), Elm City (0% Asian), Lucama (0% Asian), Sims (0% Asian), and Stantonsburg (0% Asian).

Wilson's Hispanic Population

6,061 residents of Wilson, or 12.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wilson is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Wilson ranks 212th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wilson's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 25.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Wilson's population has increased from 10.1% to 12.5%.

Wilson is more Hispanic than neighboring Black Creek (12.4% Hispanic), and Elm City (1% Hispanic). Wilson is less Hispanic than neighboring Lucama (23% Hispanic), Sims (43.3% Hispanic), and Stantonsburg (16.4% Hispanic).

Wilson's Native American/Other Population

443 residents of Wilson, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wilson is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Wilson ranks 481st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wilson's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 46.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wilson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Wilson is more Native American/Other than neighboring Elm City (0% Native American/Other), Lucama (0% Native American/Other), Sims (0% Native American/Other), and Stantonsburg (0% Native American/Other). Wilson is less Native American/Other than neighboring Black Creek (2.1% Native American/Other).

Wilson's Multiracial Population

1,444 residents of Wilson, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wilson is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Wilson ranks 526th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wilson's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Wilson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Wilson is more Multiracial than neighboring Elm City (0.5% Multiracial), and Lucama (1.2% Multiracial). Wilson is less Multiracial than neighboring Black Creek (4.1% Multiracial), Sims (4% Multiracial), and Stantonsburg (5.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.