COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Wilkes County

North Carolina · 65,632 residents · 753.678 sq mi

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Part of the North Wilkesboro micropolitan area

The short version

Wilkes County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $34,258. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $80,400.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Older

median age 38.5

US median: 35.2

Less educated

11% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

65,632

+11%since 1990

from 59,393 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

87 / sq mi

+11%since 1990

from 79 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

38.5

+9%since 1990

from 35.2 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

202466K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$34,258

+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $22,261 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$17,516

+62%since 1990

from $10,816 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

11.9%

−1.5 ptssince 1990

from 13.3% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$80,400

+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $52,800 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$416

+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $299 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

77.9%

−1.4 ptssince 1990

from 79.4% in 1990

22.1% rent

Afford Score

2.3

−1%since 1990

from 2.4 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Wilkes County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic94.5%(56,117)

Black4.9%(2,884)

Hispanic / Latino0.4%(229)

Asian0.2%(145)

Diversity Score14%(8,296)

2000

White, non-Hispanic91.4%(59,977)

Black4.1%(2,719)

Hispanic / Latino3.4%(2,262)

Asian0.3%(213)

Diversity Score18.8%(12,313)

Diversity Score

+34%since 1990

from 14 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

11.3%

+2.5 ptssince 1990

from 8.8% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

66.0%

+11.8 ptssince 1990

from 54.1% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

3.6%

+0.8 ptssince 1990

from 2.8% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

16.2 min

−18%since 1990

from 19.8 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Wilkes County

Head to head

Compare Wilkes County to nearby counties

WILKES COUNTY VS

Alleghany County

Income$47,172+38%

Home value$214,800+167%

Population11,479−83%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

WILKES COUNTY VS

Alexander County

Income$65,354+91%

Home value$211,800+163%

Population36,958−44%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

WILKES COUNTY VS

Ashe County

Income$56,866+66%

Home value$243,100+202%

Population27,514−58%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

WILKES COUNTY VS

Caldwell County

Income$56,425+65%

Home value$192,200+139%

Population81,105+22%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

Wilkes County, North Carolina has about 65,632 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Wilkes County, North Carolina earns about $34,258 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wilkes County, North Carolina expensive?

In Wilkes County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $80,400, and the typical rent is about $416 a month.

How educated are people in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

About 11.3% of adults age 25 and over in Wilkes County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

About 11.9% of people in Wilkes County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wilkes County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Wilkes County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,239 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Wilkes County

Population & growth

Income & economy

Housing

Race & ethnicity

Education

Commute & transportation

Work & employment

People & community

Places similar to Wilkes County

Compare Wilkes County to nearby counties

How many people live in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

What is the median household income in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

Is Wilkes County, North Carolina expensive?

How educated are people in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

What is the poverty rate in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

Has Wilkes County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

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