Originally the expansive site of John Marshall Wilson’s mill businesses in the 1800s, Wilson’s Mills maintains its agricultural vibe today. A railroad runs through the tiny town center. Around it is a patchwork of farms, contemporary subdivisions and undeveloped land connected by two-lane country roads. Once home to only 1,200 people in 2000, Wilson’s Mills now has nearly 3,000 residents. Even with this growth, small, locally-owned businesses and community events remain at its heart. “It’s one of the small towns that have truly remained small in Johnston County. People living there enjoy the fact of simplicity and quiet,” says Linsey Dale, a Johnston County native and head real estate broker at HTR Southern Properties. Dale Suggs agrees, “I’ll put it this way: It’s as country as country gets.” Suggs, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Platinum, says the town is considered a subsection of Clayton, a larger, artsy enclave 7 miles away. “You can kick your feet up on a rocking chair, but you’re close to everything you need,” adds Suggs, who’s been selling homes in the Raleigh area for over a decade.
Come see the beautiful farmland in Wilson's Mills, in the heart of Johnston County.
Wilson's Mills offers a relaxed country vibe 10 minutes from town.
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New subdivisions of Craftsman, Colonial Revival and New Traditional homes
Single-family homes here either rest along two-lane country roads or are grouped in subdivisions. Buyers will primarily find newly built New Traditional homes, 21st-century Colonial Revivals and Craftsman builds, 20th-century ranch-style homes and manufactured homes. Several new subdivisions have been built in Wilson’s Mills, including Parrish Ridge and Olive Branch, and more are on the way. Properties in these communities are uniformly spaced with minimal landscaping, sitting on broad, flat streets lined with sidewalks. Homes often feature attached garages and Craftsman-inspired details like shingle siding, tapered columns and covered front porches, which local realtors call rocking chair porches. Older homes are more spread out and may sit on farms or large plots of land. Prices range from $100,000 for properties needing repairs to more than $600,000 for a turn-key custom-built home. Wi-Fi isn’t a challenge here, but utility-wise, Suggs says, “almost everything has a septic tank, well water and liquid propane gas.”
New Traditional homes are going up all over Wilson's Mills.
Wilson's Mills is growing fast, there are many new subdivisions in town.
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A new high school and middle school coming soon
Wilson’s Mills Elementary earns a C-plus grade from Niche. The school sits in the town center and is often used for community outreach, hosting drive-through food pantries and family meet-and-greets. Because Wilson’s Mills does not currently have its own middle and high schools, students ride buses to Smithfield Middle School and Smithfield-Selma High School, 6 miles away. Both schools have C-plus ratings. The school district purchased land in late 2022 with plans to build the town a high school and then a middle school. The tentative completion date for the high school is 2025. Wilson’s Mill does have some alternative schooling options nearby, including Star Christian Academy, a private school, and American Leadership Academy, a charter school. Both schools teach students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Wilson Mills Elementary School is the lone public school in the town.
The Smithfield Selma High School Trojans rule this side of the county.
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Country living a half hour from Raleigh
Residents primarily get around by car. Wilson’s Mills is 25 miles southeast of Raleigh, 7 miles southeast of Clayton and 6 miles north of Smithfield. While there’s no traditional bus system, residents without personal vehicles can arrange rides with the Johnston County Area Transit System, or JCATS, for $6 per ride. The N.C. Department of Transportation is turning the portion of Highway 70 that goes through Wilson’s Mills into Interstate 42. This Interstate will expedite travel to Clayton, Raleigh and the beach. Construction is set to be completed in Fall of 2024.
Wilson's Mills is out in the country, but only a few mins from all you need.
Wilson's Mills will soon sit off the edge of the new Interstate 42.
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Classic North Carolina barbecue at White Swan
White Swan is a popular dining spot that serves casual southern fare, including North Carolina-style pulled pork and barbecue, fried chicken and hush puppies. Taqueria Lo Que Sea is a go-to for authentic Mexican cuisine. “It’s a hole in the wall, but it has really good food,” says Darby Copley, a resident and real estate agent at HTR Southern Properties. Across the street is J.D.’s Country Store, a grill and gas station loved for its hot dogs, burgers and ice cream. Nearby is Raleigh Brewing Distro, where residents can enjoy craft beer and evening events like Hammered Trivia and $5 Pint Night. Chelsea Café, inside the brewery, plates bar bites like Bavarian pretzels, sandwiches and flatbreads. “I drive to the Walmart in Smithfield when I need groceries,” Copley says. There’s also a Harris Teeter and Publix in Flowers, a 6 ½-mile drive, and the Walmart Supercenter in Clayton, a 10-mile drive.
Grab a hot breakfast or a BBQ sandwich at White Swan in Wilson's Mills
Hell Yes Ma'am you can get the Strong Belgian Golden ale at Raleigh Brewing in Wilson's Mills.
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Community green spaces and a new rugby park
Wilson’s Mills Community Park is a small park where families run around the playground, enjoy lunch on the pavilion and play volleyball on the sand court. Usually quiet, this park is bustling during the Wilson’s Mills Community Market, which takes place two Saturdays a month from April through October. Residents can pick up locally grown fruits and vegetables, handmade crafts and goods from local makers. Next to the park is the new Johnston County Rugby Park. Partially complete, this project by the town and the Clayton Rugby Football Club will eventually include three fields, one of which will be a full-sized Championship Pitch with goalposts, bleachers and lighting. Residents looking for more activities can drive 5 miles to Smithfield Community Park and the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center (SRAC) for a larger playground, athletic courts and fields, an indoor pool and a splash park.
The Johnston County Rugby Park is a joint venture between the Town of Wilson’s Mills and the Clayton Rugby Football Club.
Wilson's Mills Community Park has a play area for the kids, picnic area and rugby field.
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Christmas on Tinsel Tree Lane
The community gets together in early December for the annual Tinsel Tree Lane Christmas event at Town Hall. Residents enjoy music and performances from local choral groups and dancers. There are also vendors and food trucks. The event culminates with a tree lighting and an appearance from Santa. Though small, Wilson’s Mills has an active faith community with seven churches dotting the town center. “You will not have a problem finding any of the major Christian denominations,” Suggs says. The Islamic Center of Smithfield is 10 miles away, and Buddha Raleigh Temple is 17 miles away for residents seeking other faith communities.
Written By
LaTasha James
Photography Contributed By
Lawrence Hiatt
Video By
Ruo Zheng
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Daniel Virag,
an experienced agent in this area.
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