North Wilkesboro is home to 4,421 people in North Carolina. That trails the North Carolina median by roughly 47%. Owners hold 51% of the housing stock. 23.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median household earns $38,474, about 53% below the national median.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $38,474, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about North Wilkesboro
What changed most since 1990
Black share16.6% → 6.7%(−9.9 pts)US over the same years: +0.2 pts
White share82.4% → 74.6%(−7.9 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Adults with a bachelor's degree16.5% → 24.7%(+8.1 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
North Wilkesboro's population equals 6.7% of Wilkes County's. Its number of households without a car equals 15% of the county's. Its number of people who work from home equals 11% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)6.5%(10)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)31.4%(48)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era38.6%(59)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2%(3)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 153 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
North Wilkesboro, decade by decade
North Wilkesboro population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
3,407
$42,594
$125,524
16.5%
36.6
2000
4,116
$41,557
$153,019
18.5%
55.6
2010
4,245
$36,712
$208,305
18.5%
58.7
2020
4,382
$36,499
$190,048
17.8%
62.3
2024
4,421
$38,474
$212,700
24.7%
52.9
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina has about 4,421 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
The typical household in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina earns about $38,474 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is North Wilkesboro, North Carolina expensive?
In North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $212,700, and the typical rent is about $599 a month.
How educated are people in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
About 24.7% of adults age 25 and over in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
About 23.8% of people in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has North Wilkesboro, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,014 residents, a change of about 30 percent over that period.
