CensusEasy
CITY

North Wilkesboro

North Carolina · 4,369 residents (2025 est.) · 6.629 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the North Wilkesboro micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

North Wilkesboro has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,474. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $212,700. The poverty rate of 23.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 47% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
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
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,421
+7%since 2000
from 4,116 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
667 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 621 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.1
+19%since 2000
from 36.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,369 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024North Wilkesboro
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,474
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,813 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,364
+94%since 2000
from $14,594 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.7%
+14.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
23.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 21.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.492
+1%since 2010
from 0.488 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing4.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services1.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration0.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$212,700
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$599
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $335 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
51.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 46.0% in 2000
48.7% rent
Vacancy rate
8.2%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.2%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 27.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.1%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 32.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.5
+50%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
47
RELATED:See current rent listings in North Wilkesboro on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.3%(2,977)
Black13.7%(564)
Hispanic / Latino11.3%(464)
Asian0.7%(30)
Other0%
Diversity Score52.9%(2,176)
2024
White, non-Hispanic74.6%(3,297)
Black6.7%(295)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(194)
Asian2.7%(120)
Other11.6%(515)
Diversity Score52.9%(2,338)
Diversity Score
53
Unchangedsince 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
77.6%
+14.3 ptssince 2000
from 63.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.7 min
+20%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.8%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.5%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.3%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−11.6 ptssince 2011
from 16.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2011
from 45.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
48.0%
−19.3 ptssince 2009
from 67.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.9%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
49.1%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.4%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.2%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2012
from 20.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.0%
−66.7 ptssince 2013
from 79.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.1%
+38.8 ptssince 2017
from 54.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.3%
+3.7 ptssince 2016
from 89.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.3%
−6.7 ptssince 2016
from 10.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to North Wilkesboro

Charlotte Harbor
Pop 4,239
Montura
Pop 4,121
Combee Settlement
Pop 5,242
Fort Meade
Pop 5,379
Places similar to North Wilkesboro
Head to head

Compare North Wilkesboro to nearby cities

NORTH WILKESBORO VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910+30%
Home value$179,400−16%
Population18,372+321%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORTH WILKESBORO VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+57%
Home value$213,300same
Population9,457+116%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORTH WILKESBORO VS
Boone
Income$30,065−22%
Home value$411,100+93%
Population19,929+356%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORTH WILKESBORO VS
Statesville
Income$52,880+37%
Home value$248,000+17%
Population32,181+637%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

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.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
North Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare North Wilkesboro with another place

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →