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CITY

Wilkesboro

North Carolina · 3,618 residents (2025 est.) · 6.588 sq mi
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The short version

Wilkesboro has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,907. Population has grown 15% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $223,700. With a median age of 47.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 22.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 43% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,646
+15%since 2000
from 3,159 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
553 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 480 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.9
+13%since 2000
from 42.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,618 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K3K3K4K1990201020202024Wilkesboro
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,907
−45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,982 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,058
+24%since 2000
from $24,300 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
20.3%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 27.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.6%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.509
−12%since 2010
from 0.577 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade15.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade10.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$223,700
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $106,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$764
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $433 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.0%
−9.4 ptssince 2000
from 57.4% in 2000
52.0% rent
Vacancy rate
14.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.1%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.7%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.5
+111%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
20
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wilkesboro on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.7%(2,612)
Black9.8%(309)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(130)
Asian2.7%(86)
Other0%
Diversity Score36.8%(1,163)
2024
White, non-Hispanic76%(2,771)
Black13.4%(487)
Hispanic / Latino10.3%(374)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.4%(14)
Diversity Score49.3%(1,796)
Diversity Score
49
+34%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 26.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.2%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.9 min
+77%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.7%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 90.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.4%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% 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
13.2%
+10.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−8.8 ptssince 2011
from 12.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.9%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 55.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.0%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 68.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
52.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
6.1%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.1%
−38.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2012
from 19.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.1%
−82.7 ptssince 2013
from 89.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.5%
+24.5 ptssince 2017
from 66.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.4%
−5.3 ptssince 2016
from 97.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.5%
+5.9 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Wilkesboro to nearby cities

WILKESBORO VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910+22%
Home value$179,400−20%
Population18,372+408%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILKESBORO VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+48%
Home value$213,300−5%
Population9,457+161%
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WILKESBORO VS
Boone
Income$30,065−27%
Home value$411,100+84%
Population19,929+451%
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WILKESBORO VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+58%
Home value$278,400+24%
Population45,975+1171%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wilkesboro, North Carolina?

Wilkesboro, North Carolina has about 3,646 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wilkesboro, North Carolina?

The typical household in Wilkesboro, North Carolina earns about $40,907 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wilkesboro, North Carolina expensive?

In Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $223,700, and the typical rent is about $764 a month.

How educated are people in Wilkesboro, North Carolina?

About 24.5% of adults age 25 and over in Wilkesboro, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wilkesboro, North Carolina?

About 22.6% of people in Wilkesboro, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wilkesboro, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Wilkesboro, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,106 residents, a change of about 44 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Wilkesboro, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy