PlainFoodAccess

County food-access profile · Tennessee

Wilson County, TN

Distance to a supermarket is a real obstacle for a meaningful share of Wilson County residents. This profile covers who qualifies as a food desert here and the income, SNAP, and vehicle-access context behind it, from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and the Census ACS (2024).

35.3%
low-access pop.
4
food-desert tracts
5.3%
on SNAP
159K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 TN

The food-access picture

35.3% of Wilson County residents live in a low-access area, and 4 of its 21 census tracts are USDA-designated food deserts.

12
low-access tracts
7K
food-desert residents
2.2%
households, no vehicle
8.0%
below poverty line

Low access = living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. Food deserts add a low-income condition (USDA LILA, 1-and-10-mile measure).

USDA data puts Wilson County's low-access share at 35.3%, above the national share. 12 of the county's 21 census tracts are classified low-access, meaning residents there live far from a supermarket, an area covering about 40,250 people. 4 of those also meet the low-income condition that defines a food desert, home to roughly 6,623 low-income residents.

How the USDA defines low-access and food-desert tracts

The USDA measures food access by distance to the nearest supermarket. A census tract is "low-access" when a meaningful share of residents live more than one mile from a supermarket in urban areas, or more than ten miles in rural areas. A tract becomes a "food desert" only when it is both low-access and low-income, because distance is far harder to overcome for households without a car or a cushion in the budget. Counts on this page are aggregated from the tract level, where the federal data is actually published, so a single county figure can hide neighbourhoods that are much better or much worse served than the average. Distance also does not capture everything that shapes whether a family eats well: the presence of a full-service grocer rather than a convenience store, public transit, food pantries, and the price and quality of what is on the shelf all matter beyond the radius the Atlas can draw.

How Wilson County compares nationally

Relative to the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA food-access data, Wilson County's 35.3% low-access share is elevated, higher than 81% of them and ranked #580 most-affected nationwide.

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Wilson County: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown

All 21 census tracts in Wilson County, grouped by USDA classification (see "How the USDA defines low-access and food-desert tracts" above for what each tier means).

Food access tier distribution for Wilson County, TN USDA-defined food-access tiers: 9 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 8 limited, 4 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 21 tracts evaluated. 9 tracts adequate (42.9%) 8 tracts limited (38.1%) 4 tracts severe / food desert (19.0%) Adequate 43% Limited 38% Severe 19% Food-access tier distribution: Wilson County, TN
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

Wilson County vs. other Tennessee counties

Share of the population living in low-access areas, compared with other counties in Tennessee

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

Food Access (USDA FARA 2019)

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Wilson County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts21
Atlas Population (2010 basis)113,993
Low-Access Tracts12
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)4
Low-Access Population40,250
Low-Access Share35.3%well above the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population6,623

Demographics & Assistance (Census ACS 2024)

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Wilson County
IndicatorValue
Population158,805
Median Household Income$95,839
Poverty Rate8.0%well below the national average
SNAP Households3,158
SNAP Participation Rate5.3%well below the national average
Households Without a Vehicle2.2%well below the national average
Group-Quarters Population1.1%
SNAP participation in Wilson County 5.3%

About 5.3% of Wilson County households receive SNAP, versus a U.S. county median in the 11–13% range (Census ACS).

What this means

  • 35.3% of residents are low-access, above the national share for U.S. counties.
  • 5.3% of households receive SNAP, the federal program that offsets food costs for 3,158 households here.
  • 2.2% of households have no vehicle, the hidden multiplier that turns distance into a real barrier.
  • 4 tracts meet the USDA food-desert threshold (low-income and low-access).

USDA low-access figures reflect the 2019 Atlas (2010 tract populations); socioeconomic context is the latest Census ACS 5-year (2024).

What the food-access data shows for Wilson County

above the national share

4 of Wilson County's 21 census tracts are USDA-designated food deserts, low-income areas where many residents also live far from a supermarket, about 19.0% of all its tracts.

A further 8 tracts are low-access but not low-income, bringing the total low-access tract count to 12.

An estimated 40,250 residents, roughly 35.3% of the county's 2010 population, live in one of these low-access areas.

Of those, 6,623 are also low-income, the group most exposed to genuine food hardship, since limited transportation compounds a limited budget.

The remaining 9 tracts (42.9%) meet the USDA's adequate-access threshold.

SNAP retailers in Wilson County

Wilson County has 112 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 7 store categories. Convenience Store lead with 55 locations (49% of the total), followed by combination grocery/other.

Convenience Store · 55

  • 7-eleven 41822, lebanon
  • 7-eleven 41897h, mount juliet
  • circle k 4703929, lebanon
  • circle k 4703931, lebanon
  • circle k 4703932, mount juliet
  • circle k 4703944, mount juliet
  • circle k 4703975, lebanon
  • cedar forest market, lebanon
  • circle b, mount juliet
  • circle k 4703698, lebanon
  • corner market, mount juliet
  • daniels market, lebanon
  • foodmart, lebanon
  • franklin market, lebanon
  • golden bear #2, mount juliet
  • golden bear #7, mount juliet
  • houston's meat & produce inc, mount juliet
  • homerun market, lebanon
  • hunters point market and deli, lebanon
  • isaac corp, lebanon
  • jay bhole inc, lebanon
  • king's ole kountry store 00, lebanon
  • lacy's market, mount juliet
  • lakeside market, lebanon
  • lebanon first stop, lebanon
  • lebanon gas station 6159395979, lebanon
  • lebanon market & deli, lebanon
  • love's travel stop 793, mt juliet
  • mapco 829, mount juliet
  • mapco express, inc. 3320, mount juliet
  • mapco express #820, lebanon
  • mario's market, old hickory
  • mini mart, lebanon
  • murphy express 8653, mount juliet
  • murphy express 8708, lebanon
  • norene general store, lebanon
  • pc11104747 llc, lebanon
  • pilot travel center 411, lebanon
  • providence market, mount juliet
  • quiktrip 7145, lebanon
  • racetrac 2552, lebanon
  • rivaan h inc, lebanon
  • rudra mart, old hickory
  • speedway 7124, lebanon
  • speedway 7140, lebanon
  • speedway 7148, lebanon
  • speedway 7166, mount juliet
  • stop n shop market, lebanon
  • thorntons #511616 511616, lebanon
  • thorntons 511619, lebanon
  • thorntons llc 511606, lebanon
  • tigermart 232 232, lebanon
  • tigermart 41074, mount juliet
  • watertown market, watertown
  • zips 4, lebanon

Combination Grocery/Other · 33

  • cvs pharmacy 6429, lebanon
  • dollar general 0975, lebanon
  • dollar general 18445, lebanon
  • dollar general 23749, mount juliet
  • dollar general 9195, watertown
  • dollar general 9659, lebanon
  • dollar general 12172, mount juliet
  • dollar general 13084, hermitage
  • dollar general 13819, lebanon
  • dollar general 15586, lebanon
  • dollar general 19734, lebanon
  • dollar general 20780, lebanon
  • dollar general 21353, mount juliet
  • dollar general 21593, lebanon
  • dollar general 21926, mount juliet
  • dollar general 30062, lebanon
  • dollar general 30338, lebanon
  • dollar general 30832, mount juliet
  • dollar general 31153, lebanon
  • dollar general 4299, lebanon
  • dollar general 6347, lebanon
  • dollar general store 17696, lebanon
  • dollar tree 4175, mount juliet
  • dollar tree 470, lebanon
  • dollar tree 7694, lebanon
  • dollar tree 8268, mount juliet
  • sudden service 7203, lebanon
  • sudden service 8087, lebanon
  • twice daily 6135, lebanon
  • walgreen 05953, lebanon
  • walgreens 10757, mount juliet
  • walgreens 12513, lebanon
  • walgreens 5704, mount juliet

Super Store · 11

  • bj's wholesale club #397 397, mount juliet
  • cashsaver, lebanon
  • costco wholesale 1686, mount juliet
  • dollar general market 9818, lebanon
  • kroger 578, mt juliet
  • kroger co 557, lebanon
  • kroger store 590, mt juliet
  • mike's foodland 2, lebanon
  • target store t-2126, mount juliet
  • walmart 671, lebanon
  • walmart supercenter 4482, mount juliet

Supermarket · 8

  • aldi 70042, lebanon
  • aldi 70055, mt juliet
  • publix 1175, lebanon
  • publix 1220, mount juliet
  • publix 1268, mt. juliet
  • publix tennesee, llc 1801, lebanon
  • sprouts farmers market 588, mount juliet
  • three forks marketplace, watertown

Medium Grocery Store · 3

  • hyper market, mount juliet
  • la tienda hispana, lebanon
  • seven cedars butcher block, lebanon

Farmers' Market · 1

  • countryside produce, lebanon

Seafood Specialty · 1

  • louisiana fresh seafood, mount juliet

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator, currently authorized retailers.

Other Counties in Tennessee

Anderson County
10.9% low-access · 11.9% SNAP
Bedford County
23.0% low-access · 10.2% SNAP
Benton County
12.6% low-access · 15.8% SNAP
Bledsoe County
4.7% low-access · 18.1% SNAP
Blount County
30.1% low-access · 5.9% SNAP
Bradley County
32.9% low-access · 11.7% SNAP

Compare Wilson County vs Anderson County → · All Tennessee counties →

Food access nationally, Tennessee in context

Wilson County sits inside Tennessee (ringed). Each state is colored by its population-weighted low-access share; click any state to compare.

AK 31 ME 13 VT 11 NH 28 WA 23 ID 26 MT 22 ND 29 MN 27 IL 20 WI 21 MI 23 NY 12 RI 24 MA 28 OR 17 NV 23 WY 30 SD 29 IA 20 IN 29 OH 25 PA 21 NJ 24 CT - CA 13 UT 24 CO 22 NE 22 MO 25 KY 20 WV 21 VA 20 MD 23 DE 27 AZ 27 NM 32 KS 26 AR 25 TN 27 NC 23 SC 29 DC 5 OK 25 LA 26 MS 26 AL 25 GA 31 HI 27 TX 25 FL 25

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Understand the Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What share of Wilson County has low food access? ▼
35.3% of residents in Wilson County, TN live in low-access areas, more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket, per the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019).
What is the SNAP participation rate in Wilson County? ▼
5.3% of households in Wilson County receive SNAP, covering 3,158 households (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).
What is the poverty rate in Wilson County? ▼
The poverty rate in Wilson County, TN is 8.0%, with a median household income of $95,839 (Census ACS 2024).
Is Wilson County a food desert? ▼
4 of Wilson County's 21 census tracts meet the USDA food-desert threshold (low-income and low-access). Food deserts are designated at the tract level, so conditions can vary within the county.
What share of Wilson County households lack a vehicle? ▼
2.2% of households in Wilson County have no vehicle available (Census ACS 2024), which compounds any distance to a supermarket.
Data Sources & Methodology

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019): low-access and food-desert tract classifications, low-access population, and low-income low-access counts. ers.usda.gov/food-access-research-atlas

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates: population, median income, poverty, SNAP participation, vehicle access, and group quarters. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs

Low access is defined as living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket; a food desert adds a low-income condition. Read the full methodology →

Data current as of (most recent source-data vintage; figures reflect the 2019 USDA Atlas and 2024 Census ACS).

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.