Wilson County

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. 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.

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.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 583 square miles (1,510 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.1%) is water. The Cumberland River flows along the county's northern border with Trousdale and Sumner counties. This section of the river is part of Old Hickory Lake. Several streams in the western part of the county are part of the Stones River basin.

Wilson County is home to a large concentration of cedar glades, a unique ecosystem where the soil is too rocky or shallow for trees to grow. Many of these glades are found in Cedars of Lebanon State Park.

Adjacent counties

Trousdale County (north)

Smith County (northeast)

DeKalb County (east)

Cannon County (southeast)

Rutherford County (south)

Davidson County (west)

Sumner County (northwest)

State protected areas

Cedars of Lebanon State Forest

Cedars of Lebanon State Park

Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area (part)

Gattinger's Cedar Glade and Barrens State Natural Area (part)

John and Hester Land Cedar Glades State Natural Area

Old Hickory Wildlife Management Area (part)

Percy Priest Wildlife Management Area (part)

Vesta Cedar Glade State Natural Area

Vine Cedar Glade State Natural Area

Major highways

I-40

I-840

US 70

US 70N

US 70 Bus.

US 231

SR 96

SR 109

SR 141

SR 171

SR 265

SR 266

SR 267

SR 452

Demographics

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.

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.

64.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 35.2% lived in rural areas.

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%.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, 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).

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.

Education

Wilson County Schools oversees 22 public schools, including 2 adult education centers and a technical education center. The county has five high schools: Mount Juliet High School, Lebanon High School, Wilson Central High School, Green Hill High School, and Watertown High School.

Lebanon Special School District (LSSD) serves most of Lebanon and some unincorporated areas for K-8, though some parts of Lebanon are with Wilson County schools for all years K-12. Wilson County Schools operates the high schools that serve the LSSD territory.

Cumberland University is located in Lebanon.

Communities

Cities

Mt. Juliet (largest city)

Lebanon (county seat)

Town

Watertown

Census-designated places

Gladeville

Green Hill

Norene

Rural Hill

Statesville

Tuckers Crossroads

Former community

Big Spring

Politics

Like the rest of Nashville's suburbs, Wilson County is a Republican stronghold. It has not been won by a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992. After going to George W. Bush by six points in 2000, Wilson County dramatically shifted to the right. Since 2004, Republicans have won the county by at least a 30-point margin of victory each time. 2016 marked the worst performance ever by a Democratic presidential candidate in the county, with Donald Trump winning it by 44 points.