RANK #678 / 1001 NAT · #19 / 33 TN · POP 158,805
1YR FORECAST: -1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Wilson County, Tennessee, distinguishes itself with Cedars of Lebanon State Park, a unique landscape featuring extensive cedar glades and forests that reminded early settlers of biblical lands. Located just east of Nashville, the county offers a blend of rural and suburban living, with towns like Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, and Watertown. Commuting to Nashville is possible via Interstate 40 or the Music City Star commuter train, which serves Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. The community provides access to outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and horseback riding, particularly at Cedars of Lebanon and Long Hunter State Park.
Life in the county balances proximity to a major city with a more relaxed pace. It attracts families and individuals seeking highly rated public schools and a strong sense of community. The economy is experiencing growth, with new developments and investments in industrial and logistics sectors. Agriculture also continues to be a significant contributor to the local economy.
Wilson County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.2% matches the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 17.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center (Speedway Industrial Park)
Amazon.com Services LLC
|
$116M | Operating |
|
Thermo Fisher Scientific Manufacturing Facility
Thermo Fisher Scientific
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center (Mt. Juliet)
Amazon.com Inc.
|
— | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 32/100, Wilson County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $95,839 combined with job growth of -0.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Wilson County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $428,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,486/month on average.
Wilson County's population is growing — up +3.4% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). Home values shifted +0.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.29% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Wilson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.