History
Wilson County was created in 1799 from a portion of Sumner County, and named for Major David Wilson, a Revolutionary War veteran and statesman. [1] The county remained predominantly agrarian throughout the 19th century. The arrival of the railroad after the Civil War boosted the county's timber sector, and several large factories were constructed in the county during the early 20th century. [1]
Wilson County was the site of an important saltpeter mine. Saltpeter, the main ingredient of gunpowder, was obtained by leaching the earth from Valley Cave. Valley Cave is near Statesville. The many saltpeter hoppers still inside the cave indicate that this was a large mining operation. These saltpeter vats may date from the War of 1812 mining era or the Civil War mining era, or perhaps both. Further research is needed to determine when this mine was active. [6]
Demographics
Historical population| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|
| 1800 | 3,261 | | — |
|---|
| 1820 | 18,730 | | — |
|---|
| 1830 | 25,472 | | 36.0% |
|---|
| 1840 | 24,460 | | −4.0% |
|---|
| 1850 | 27,443 | | 12.2% |
|---|
| 1860 | 26,072 | | −5.0% |
|---|
| 1870 | 25,881 | | −0.7% |
|---|
| 1880 | 28,747 | | 11.1% |
|---|
| 1890 | 27,148 | | −5.6% |
|---|
| 1900 | 27,078 | | −0.3% |
|---|
| 1910 | 25,394 | | −6.2% |
|---|
| 1920 | 26,241 | | 3.3% |
|---|
| 1930 | 23,929 | | −8.8% |
|---|
| 1940 | 25,267 | | 5.6% |
|---|
| 1950 | 26,318 | | 4.2% |
|---|
| 1960 | 27,668 | | 5.1% |
|---|
| 1970 | 36,999 | | 33.7% |
|---|
| 1980 | 56,064 | | 51.5% |
|---|
| 1990 | 67,675 | | 20.7% |
|---|
| 2000 | 88,809 | | 31.2% |
|---|
| 2010 | 113,993 | | 28.4% |
|---|
| 2020 | 147,737 | | 29.6% |
|---|
| 2024 (est.) | 169,948 | [8] | 15.0% |
|---|
|
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 147,737 people, 55,074 households, and 40,874 families residing in the county. The median age was 40.1 years; 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.2 males age 18 and over. [13]
The racial makeup of the county was 81.8% White, 6.9% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.6% from some other race, and 6.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.7% of the population. [14]
64.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 35.2% lived in rural areas. [15]
Of the 55,074 households in the county, 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.6% were married-couple households, 14.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 58,152 housing units, of which 5.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.1% were owner-occupied and 24.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.3%. [13]
Racial and ethnic composition
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, [17] there were 113,993 people, 42,563 households, and 32,177 families living in the county. The population density was 199.64 persons per square mile (77.08 persons/km2). The housing unit density was 74.54 units per square mile (28.78 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.30% White, 6.40% African American, 1.12% Asian, 0.35% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, and 1.46% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origins constituted 3.24% of the population.
Of all of the households, 33.22% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 60.08% were married couples living together, 4.33% had a male householder with no wife present, 11.19% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.40% were non-families. 19.86% of households were one person and 7.29% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.03.
The age distribution was 25.06% under the age of 18, 62.78% ages 18 to 64, and 12.17% age 65 and older. The median age was 39.3 years. 51.02% of the population were females and 48.98% were males.
The median household income was $60,678, and the median family income was $70,092. Males had a median income of $49,293 versus $36,419 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,814. About 5.6% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or older.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 88,809 people, 32,798 households, and 25,582 families living in the county. The population density was 156 people per square mile (60 people/km2). [18] There were 34,921 housing units at an average density of 61 units per square mile (24/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.50% White, 6.26% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 32,798 households 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.20% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.00% were non-families. 18.10% of households were one person and 6.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.03.
The age distribution was 26.20% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.70% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median household income was $50,140 and the median family income was $56,650. Males had a median income of $39,848 versus $26,794 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,739. About 4.60% of families and 6.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.80% of those under age 18 and 11.50% of those age 65 or over.
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