Wilson, North Carolina
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Wilson is a city in and the
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US st ...
of
Wilson County, North Carolina Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 78,784. The county seat is Wilson. The county comprises the Wilson Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included within ...
, United States. Located approximately east of the capital city of
Raleigh Raleigh (; ) is the capital city of the state of North Carolina and the seat of Wake County in the United States. It is the second-most populous city in North Carolina, after Charlotte. Raleigh is the tenth-most populous city in the Southeas ...
, it is served by the interchange of Interstate 95 and
U.S. Route 264 U.S. Route 264 (US 264) is an east–west United States Highway located completely within the U.S. state of North Carolina, running for . Its western terminus is located at Interstate 87 (I-87), I-440, and US 64 in Raleigh. US&nbs ...
. Wilson had an estimated population of 49,459 in 2019, according to the
U.S. Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, and is also an anchor city of the
Rocky Mount-Wilson-Roanoke Rapids CSA The Rocky Mount-Wilson-Roanoke Rapids Combined Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in northeastern North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the CSA had a population of 310,416, wit ...
, with a total population of 297,726 as of 2018. In the early 21st century, Wilson was ranked as 18th in size among North Carolina's 500-plus municipalities. From 1990 to 2010, the city population increased by more than 40 percent, primarily due to construction of new subdivisions that attracted many new residents. This has been accompanied by new retail and shopping construction, primarily in the northwestern parts of the city. Wilson is a diverse community; in 2012, the US Census estimated that 48% of the population identified as African American, and 43% as Whites; the remaining 9% includes Latinos and Asians, such as Vietnamese, Chinese and Indian groups. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated in 2012 that nearly 5,000 county residents (7.5 percent) were foreign-born. Of those, nearly 3,000 people, or 62 percent, had entered the U.S. since 2000. Once a center of tobacco cultivation, the city was widely known as "The World’s Greatest Tobacco Market" in the 19th century. In the 21st century, Wilson enjoys a diverse economy based on agriculture, manufacturing, commercial, and service businesses.


History

The history of the city of Wilson began with a community that formed around Toisnot Primitive Baptist Church, built in the early 1800s. The community was originally called Toisnot. In 1836, the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad Co. began building a Wilmington-to-Weldon line. The railway reached the community in 1839, and by 1840 Toisnot had both north-and-south service. That stimulated growth of the community. The North Carolina General Assembly chartered the Town of Wilson. It was named for state senator , U.S. Volunteers. He died of fever while on
leave Leave may refer to: * Permission (disambiguation) ** Permitted absence from work *** Leave of absence, a period of time that one is to be away from one's primary job while maintaining the status of employee *** Annual leave, allowance of time away ...
from the
State senate A state legislature in the United States is the legislative body of any of the 50 U.S. states. The formal name varies from state to state. In 27 states, the legislature is simply called the ''Legislature'' or the ''State Legislature'', whil ...
during the
Mexican–American War The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the (''United States intervention in Mexico''), was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. It followed the 1 ...
of 1848. Messrs. Joshua Barnes, John W. Farmer, James D. Barnes, Dylan Dieterle, Jonathan D. Rountree, and Arthur Farmer were named as the first town commissioners. The Gen. Joshua Barnes House,
Branch Banking A branch, banking center or financial center is a retail location where a bank, credit union, or other financial institution (including a brokerage firm) offers a wide array of face-to-face and automated services to its customers. History an ...
, Broad–Kenan Streets Historic District, Cherry Hotel,
Davis-Whitehead-Harriss House Davis-Whitehead-Harriss House is a historic home located at Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina. It was built in 1858, and renovated in 1872 in the Italianate style. It is a two-story, three bays wide, "T"-plan, frame dwelling, with a rear e ...
, East Wilson Historic District, Old Wilson Historic District, Joseph John Pender House,
Moses Rountree House Moses Rountree House is a historic home located at Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina. It was built about 1869, and is a two-story, three bays wide by two bays deep, Gothic Revival style frame house. It has a two-story rear ell. It has a st ...
, Upper Town Creek Rural Historic District, West Nash Street Historic District, Olzie Whitehead Williams House,
Wilson Central Business-Tobacco Warehouse Historic District Wilson may refer to: People * Wilson (name) ** List of people with given name Wilson ** List of people with surname Wilson * Wilson (footballer, 1927–1998), Brazilian manager and defender * Wilson (footballer, born 1984), full name Wilson Ro ...
, Wilson County Courthouse, and Woodard Family Rural Historic District are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
.


Geography

According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it (0.64%) is water. Wilson is served by the intersection of Interstate 95 and US 264; and it is located approximately 45 minutes by car east of Raleigh, the state capital. It is the northern terminus of Interstate 795, which provides a route to Interstate 40 and the port city of
Wilmington, North Carolina Wilmington is a port city in and the county seat of New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 at the 2020 census, it is the eighth most populous city in the state. Wilmington is the ...
.


Climate


Demographics


2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 47,851 people, 19,667 households, and 11,529 families residing in the city.


2000 census

As of the
census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...
of 2000, there were 44,405 people, 17,296 households, and 11,328 families residing in the city. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 1,906.9 people per square mile (736.1/km2). There were 18,660 housing units at an average density of 801.3 per square mile (309.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 46.67%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White o ...
, 47.53%
African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.31% Native American, 0.58%
Asian Asian may refer to: * Items from or related to the continent of Asia: ** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia ** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia ** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.02%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...
, 3.89% from
other races Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 1.01% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties forme ...
or
Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...
of any race were 7.29% of Wilson's population. There were 17,296 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.06. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $31,169, and the median income for a family was $41,041. Males had a median income of $30,682 versus $22,363 for females. The
per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...
for the city was $17,813. About 16.5% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 29.5% of those under the age of 18 and 20.4% ages 65 or older. United States
census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...
data from 2012 report a population of 49,610 people and 19,413 households in the city. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 1,710 inhabitants per square mile. There were 21,870 housing units, and the percentage of homeownership was 49.5%. The racial makeup of the city was 47.9%
African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 42.9%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White o ...
, 0.3% Native American, 1.2%
Asian Asian may refer to: * Items from or related to the continent of Asia: ** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia ** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia ** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.02%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...
, and 1.7% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties forme ...
or
Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...
of any race were 9.4% of the population. The percentage of homes where another language than English was the primary language was 10.4%. The median income for a household in the city from 2008-2012 was $36,469. About 26% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
.


Economy

Wilson is the birthplace of Branch Banking and Trust Corporation, now
Truist Financial Truist Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company was formed in December 2019 as the result of the merger of BB&T (Branch Banking and Trust Company) and SunTrust Banks. Its ...
. Now headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist Financial is among Wilson County's top employers, with around 2,000 people working in various financial services. Bridgestone Americas operates a plant in Wilson that employs more than 1,800 people who make radial tires for cars and light trucks. Bridgestone recently completed a 6-year, $250 million renovation of the plant, which was retooled to make run-flat passenger car tires that are sold in both the US and Japan. It recently marked 1 million man-hours without a lost-time accident. Other large employers include Wilson County Schools; Wilson Medical Center; Smithfield Packing Co., pork products;
UTC Aerospace Systems UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS) was one of the world’s largest suppliers of aerospace and defense products, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. The company was formed in August 2012 when parent United Technologies Corporation ...
(formerly Kidde Aerospace and Defense before UTC's acquisition), aircraft fire protection systems;
Sandoz Novartis AG is a Swiss-American multinational pharmaceutical corporation based in Basel, Switzerland and Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (global research).name="novartis.com">https://www.novartis.com/research-development/research-loca ...
, generic prescription drugs;
Merck Merck refers primarily to the German Merck family and three companies founded by the family, including: * the Merck Group, a German chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences company founded in 1668 ** Merck Serono (known as EMD Serono in the Unite ...
Manufacturing Division, pharmaceutical drugs; and Ardagh Group, glass containers.


Largest employers

According to the City's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:


Sports

Wilson is home to the
Wilson Tobs The Wilson Tobs are an amateur baseball team playing in the Coastal Plain League, an NCAA-sanctioned collegiate summer baseball league. The team plays its home games at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina Wilson is a city in and the ...
of the
Coastal Plain League The Coastal Plain League (CPL) is a wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league, featuring college players recruited from throughout the nation. The league takes its name from the Class D level Coastal League which operated in the area from 19 ...
, a collegiate summer baseball league. The Tobs play at
Fleming Stadium Fleming Stadium is a sports stadium in Wilson, North Carolina. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home of the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League. It opened in 1939 and has a capacity of 3,000 people. The grounds are also home to t ...
in Wilson. The Tobs began play for the league's inaugural 1997 season.
Wilson Speedway Wilson Speedway was a half-mile dirt oval located in Wilson, North Carolina that held 12 NASCAR Cup Series between 1951 and 1960 and 5 races in the NASCAR Convertible Series from 1956 to 1958. and continued to hold local races until 1989 when th ...
held 12 NASCAR Cup Series races between 1951 and 1960 as it was open at the county fairgrounds between 1934 and 1989.


Tourist attractions

Wilson is the home of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, an
Outsider Art Outsider art is art made by self-taught or supposedly naïve artists with typically little or no contact with the conventions of the art worlds. In many cases, their work is discovered only after their deaths. Often, outsider art illustrate ...
installation. Simpson specialized in large kinetic sculptures called " whirligigs", which Simpson made from salvaged metal. Simpson became nationally known after he was commissioned to create a whirligig for the
American Visionary Art Museum The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is an art museum located in Baltimore, Maryland's Federal Hill neighborhood at 800 Key Highway. The museum specializes in the preservation and display of outsider art (also known as "intuitive art," "raw ...
in Baltimore. The 55-foot (17 m) high, 45-foot (14 m) wide whirligig called "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" was installed for the museum's opening in November, 1995. Other of Simpson's whirligigs have been exhibited at the
American Folk Art Museum The American Folk Art Museum is an art museum in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, at 2, Lincoln Square, Columbus Avenue at 66th Street. It is the premier institution devoted to the aesthetic appreciation of folk art and creative expressions of ...
in New York City and at the
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum (AARFAM) is the United States' first and the world's oldest continually operated museum dedicated to the preservation, collection, and exhibition of American folk art. Located just outside the histori ...
in Williamsburg, Virginia. Whirligig Park opened in Wilson in late 2017.


Government

Wilson has a City Council-City Manager form of government. The City Council includes seven members who are elected by single-member districts and a mayor who is elected at-large. All terms are four years. The City Council makes policy and budget decisions. It appoints a city manager and staff to implement its decisions and operate the city's daily affairs. Elected continuously since 1992, C. Bruce Rose was the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Prior to his election, he served as a city firefighter for 30 years and fire chief for seven years. As of November 5, 2019, Carlton Stevens, JR. was elected as Mayor of Wilson, N.C. Mayor Stevens is a native of Wilson and is also co-owner of Stevens Funeral Home, alongside his Mother (Carol).


Education


Public schools


Elementary schools

* Wells * Margaret Hearne * Vick * New Hope * Vinson-Bynum * B.O. Barnes * Winstead * Frederick Douglass (Formerly Elm City) * Stantonsburg * Lee Woodard * Lucama * Rock Ridge * Gardners * Jones


Middle schools

* C H Darden * Forest Hills Middle * Toisnot * Elm City * Speight * Springfield


High schools

* E. T. Beddingfield High School * Ralph L. Fike High School * James B. Hunt High School * Wilson Early College Academy * Wilson Academy of Applied Technology * Wilson Preparatory Academy


Alternative schools

* Daniels Learning Center (6-8).


Charter schools

Youth Enrichment Program of Wilson, Inc. operates Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts and Education which is named after Sallie Baldwin Howard. Wilson Preparatory Academy also serves Wilson and surrounding counties as a charter school.


State-operated schools

The
Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) is a public school for the deaf in Wilson, North Carolina. Its service area is defined by the state as the 54 counties to the east. There were parents in the east of the state wishing for their ...
is operated by the
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS or DHHS) is a large state government agency in the U.S. state of North Carolina, somewhat analogous to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The NCDHHS has mo ...
Office of Education Services.


Private schools

Wilson is home to several
private schools An independent school is independent in its finances and governance. Also known as private schools, non-governmental, privately funded, or non-state schools, they are not administered by local, state or national governments. In British Eng ...
: * Community Christian School (Daycare - Pre-K -12) * Garnett Christian Academy * Wilson Christian Academy (Daycare - Pre-K -12) * Greenfield School (Pre-K-12) (non-sectarian) * Charis Prep (Christian, 9-12)


Colleges

*
Barton College Barton College is a private college in Wilson, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and enrolls about 1,200 students on campus. History Barton College was incorporated as Atlantic Christian College ...
, a liberal arts college *
Wilson Community College Wilson Community College is a public community college in Wilson, North Carolina. It was established in 1958 and is part of the North Carolina Community College System The North Carolina Community College System (System Office) is a statewid ...
.


Media

Wilson's chief source of print journalism is the
Wilson Times ''The Wilson Times'' is an American, English language semiweekly newspaper based in Wilson, North Carolina covering Wilson County. The newspaper is owned by Wilson Times Co. The paper began as ''Zion's Landmark'', established in 1867 by the pasto ...
, established in 1896. Broadcast network television stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX Affiliates), are based in Raleigh, North Carolina and include Wilson in their market.


Infrastructure


Telecommunications

The city has built its own
Government-access television Government-access television (GATV) is a type of specialty television channel created by government entities (generally local governments) and broadcast over cable TV systems or, in some cases, over-the-air broadcast television stations. GATV pr ...
(GATV) municipal cable TV provider known as
Greenlight To green-light is to give permission to proceed with a project. The term is a reference to the green traffic signal, indicating "go ahead". Film industry In the context of the film and television industries, to green-light something is to ...
, which provides cable TV, digital phone and internet to its residents. Greenlight was formed in 2008 to provide an independent, locally owned and operated option for television, telephone and Internet broadband connectivity for Wilson residents. Since then, Greenlight has grown to provide services to more than 6,000 residential customers and businesses and the Wilson County School System. In addition, Greenlight provides free wireless Internet access throughout the downtown Wilson area. In 2013 Wilson was the first city in North Carolina to offer gigabit Internet connectivity service to its residents via a fiber optic network. That service allows Internet users to upload or download data at speeds up to one billion bits per second.


Transportation

Wilson is served by two airports: Wilson Industrial Airport and Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport (RWI), and by the Wilson Amtrak Station. The following highways travel through Wilson:
I-95 Interstate 95 (I-95) is the main north–south Interstate Highway on the East Coast of the United States, running from US Route 1 (US 1) in Miami, Florida, to the Houlton–Woodstock Border Crossing between Maine and the Canadia ...
, I-587, I-795, U.S. 301, U.S. Route 264, U.S. 117, N.C. 42, and N.C. 58. Five-lane roads include Hines Street, Tarboro Street, and Ward Boulevard. RIDE is the City of Wilson's on-demand micro-transit service. RIDE replaced the fixed route bus system on September 1, 2020. RIDE is a partnership between the City of Wilson and Via, a leader in micro-transit service. https://www.wilsonnc.org/residents/all-departments/public-works/wilson-transit-ride-wilson-industrial-air-center/ride


Healthcare

Wilson Medical Center is a 330-bed hospital.


Notable people

*
Red Barrett Charles Henry "Red" Barrett (February 14, 1915 – July 28, 1990) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played 11 total career seasons in the National League. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched ...
(1915–1990) was a pitcher who played eleven career seasons in the National League *
Glenn Bass Glenn Alden Bass (born April 12, 1939) is a former collegiate and professional American football player. He played college football at East Carolina University. A flanker, he played professionally in the American Football League for the Buffalo ...
(born 1939) is a former collegiate and professional American football player. *
Hunter Bell Hunter Houston Bell is an American writer and theatre actor. Early life and education Bell was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and was raised in Wilson, North Carolina until the seventh grade, when he moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Hunter earned a B. ...
is an author and actor. Bell was born in Alabama and raised in Wilson. * George Kenneth Butterfield, Jr. (born 1947) is the U.S. representative for
North Carolina's 1st congressional district North Carolina's 1st congressional district is located in the northeastern part of the state. It consists of many Black Belt counties that border Virginia and it extends southward into several counties of the Inner Banks and the Research Trian ...
* Jean Farmer-Butterfield is a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly * Freddie Bynum (born 1980) is a shortstop playing for the
Somerset Patriots The Somerset Patriots are an American Minor League Baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, that is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They compete in the Eastern League, known as the Double-A Northeast in 2021, and w ...
*
Ben Flowers Bennett Flowers (June 15, 1927 – February 18, 2009) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for four teams between and . During his playing days, Flowers stood tall, weighed and batted and threw r ...
(1927–2009) was raised in Wilson and played for four Major League teams *
Jentezen Franklin Jentezen Franklin is an American evangelical pastor, author, and televangelist. He is the senior pastor of Free Chapel, a multi-site church based in Gainesville, Georgia and author of ''Right People, Right Place, Right Plan;'' ''Fasting; Fear ...
is Senior Pastor at Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia *
Daisy Hendley Gold Daisy Mabel Hendley Gold (October 26, 1893 – April 7, 1975) was an American writer, poet, and journalist. She worked for the ''Statesville Record & Landmark'' and '' The Greenville Piedmont'' before becoming the managing editor of the ''Wilson T ...
(1893–1975), journalist and author *
Pleasant Daniel Gold Pleasant Daniel Gold (March 25, 1833 – June 7, 1920) was an American publisher, lawyer, and Baptist minister. Ordained as a Primitive Baptist minister in the Kehukee Association, he was a prominent Baptist leader in North Carolina for over hal ...
(1833–1920), American publisher and clergyman *
James B. Hunt, Jr. James Baxter Hunt Jr. (born May 16, 1937) is an American politician and retired attorney who was the 69th and 71st Governor of North Carolina (1977–1985, and 1993–2001). He is the longest-serving governor in the state's history. Hunt is t ...
He was elected governor of North Carolina, serving a record four terms. * Martha Hunt (born 1989) American fashion model. *
Izel Jenkins Izel N. Jenkins, Jr. (born May 27, 1964) is a former professional American football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Giants during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He ...
(born 1964) He played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Giants during the late 1980s and early 1990s. * Thomas Kenan (1838–1911) was a Confederate soldier and later a politician *
Ike Lassiter Isaac "Ike" Thomas Lassiter (November 15, 1940 – February 15, 2015) was an American college and professional football defensive lineman. He is an alumnus of St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he received a bachelor's de ...
(born 1940) is a former American football defensive lineman. * Walt McKeel (born 1972) is a former professional baseball player. * Louis B. Meyer (1933–1999) was a North Carolina jurist * Ed Mitchell (born 1948/1949), barbecue pitmaster and businessman * Naomi E. Morris (1921–1986) was a jurist who served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals * Miguel A. Núñez, Jr. (born 1964) is an American actor. * Vance Page (1905–1951) was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs from 1938 to 1941. * Stan Partenheimer
arty Arty may refer to: People * Arty (Queen), 8th century BC wife of Pharaoh Shebitku * Arty (musician) (born 1989), Russian record producer and DJ born Artem Stolyarov * Arty Ash, stage name of British actor Arthur Richard Dodge (1895–1954) * A n ...
(1922–1989) was a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. *
Julius Peppers Julius Frazier Peppers (born January 18, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and outside linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, ...
(born 1980) is an American football outside linebacker/defensive end for the Carolina Panthers *
Randy Renfrow Randy Renfrow (born January 28, 1958) is an American former stock car racing driver. He raced many years in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series before retiring. Renfrow has won 237 late model races at 40 different tracks over his career. Nextel Cup ...
(born 1958) is a former NASCAR driver in the
Craftsman Truck Series The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, and is the only series in NASCAR to race production pickup truck based stock cars. The series is one of th ...
before retiring. * Corey Thomas (born 1975) is a former professional American football wide receiver *
Gregory Walcott Gregory Walcott (born Bernard Wasdon Mattox, January 13, 1928 – March 20, 2015) was an American television and film actor. Although he had roles in many Hollywood films and television series, he is perhaps best known for having appeared in th ...
was born Bernard Mattox in
Wendell, North Carolina Wendell is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. It is a satellite town of Raleigh, the state capital. The population was 5,845 at the 2010 census. History Incorporated in 1903, Wendell was settled in the 1850s, when farmers in ...
. While serving in the Army, Walcott appeared as a drill instructor in the film '' Battle Cry'' * John Webb (1926–2008) was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court (1986–1998). *
Harry F. Weyher Jr. Harry F. Weyher Jr. (August 19, 1921 – March 27, 2002) was an American lawyer. Born in Wilson, North Carolina, Weyher attended the University of North Carolina. After serving in World War II, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law ...
(1921–2002) was an American lawyer and president of the
Pioneer Fund Pioneer Fund is an American non-profit foundation established in 1937 "to advance the scientific study of heredity and human differences". The organization has been described as racist and white supremacist in nature. One of its first project ...
from 1958 to 2002.


See also

*
List of municipalities in North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the Southern United States. According to the 2020 United States Census, North Carolina is the ninth most populous state with inhabitants, but the 28th largest by land area spanning of land. North Carolina ...
*
List of places named after people in the United States This is a list of places in the United States which are named after people. If not cited here, the etymology is generally referenced in the article about the person or the place. A * Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania – Aaron Levy (founder) *Abbot, Ma ...
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilson County, North Carolina


References


Further reading

*


External links

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, North Carolina 1849 establishments in North Carolina Cities in North Carolina Cities in Wilson County, North Carolina County seats in North Carolina Populated places established in 1849