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Wilson County

NC · Pop. 78,648 · Mixed County

60/100Homestead Score

Wilson County is a mixed rural-suburban county in North Carolina, spanning 368 square miles with 78,648 residents at a density of 213.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, cotton, wheat. A median home price of $172,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.83% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 232-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F and average winter lows of 32.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 47 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Wilson Medical Center is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.83%
Growing Season: 232 days
Broadband: 97.9%
Density: 213.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 232-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.83% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $172,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Wilson Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A poverty rate of 21% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • At 213.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Wilson County, NC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
60/100
Median home price
$172k
Property tax
0.83%
Growing season
232 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
47"
Broadband
97.9%
Nearest hospital
Wilson Medical Center, 1.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.83%
Median Household Income$51,381
Poverty Rate21%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$172K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season232 days
Annual Rainfall47 inches
Avg Summer High88.8°F
Avg Winter Low32.9°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Cotton, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado8/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalWilson Medical Center (1.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.1%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Wilson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Wilson County?
Wilson County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 232-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F, and average winter lows of 32.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $172,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.83%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Wilson Medical Center is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.