Signals
Wilson
Gadsden
Growth
48 · Bottom 46%
vs42 · Bottom 37%
Climate
75 · Top 18%
vs78 · Top 7%
Physical resilience
52 · Bottom 45%
vs41 · Bottom 30%
Housing affordability
91 · Bottom 42%
vs98 · Top 37%
Access
83 · Top 35%
vs69 · Bottom 37%
Economic stability
30 · Bottom 21%
vs22 · Bottom 12%
Measured values
| Metric | Wilson | Gadsden | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,290 | 103,105 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $56,423 | $54,563 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $31,996 | $29,604 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 216/sq mi | 193/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $186,000 | $167,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $953 | $847 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.0% | 73.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.7% | 18.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 19.8% | 16.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 351 | 123 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.4 | 1.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -30.8% | 21.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 91°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 31°F | 31°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.4" | 57.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 31 mi | 53 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.6 min | 27.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.6 | 41.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Wilson
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Gadsden
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake, inland flooding.
Full profiles: Wilson, NC Micro Area · Gadsden, AL Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology