North Wilkesboro, NC

North Carolina

North Wilkesboro is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,348. Residents earn $39,288 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,348 Population 656/sq mi density
$39,288 Median Income $28,956 per capita
$231,400 Home Value $204,318 Zillow
$659 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
450 Violent Crime/100K 3,766 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$39,288 median income, 1.7% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$231,400 home value, $659/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
450 violent crimes/100K (18% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,288
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $231,400
18% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 450/100K
18% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.2%
22% lower than US avg
Median Rent $659
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.1%
38% higher than US avg

How North Wilkesboro Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,348
Median Age41.6 yrs
Density656/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 71%

Economy

B
Median Income$39,288
Per Capita$28,956
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty17.1%
County GDP$3,234M
Commute21 min

Housing

B
Home Value$231,400
Rent$659
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$204,318

Crime

F
Violent450/100K
Property3,766/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault403/100K
Burglary355/100K

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.7 in/yr
Elevation1,155 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.2%
High School+76.7%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 20%
Commute21 min
Libraries2

Is North Wilkesboro a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, North Wilkesboro receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. North Wilkesboro has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in North Wilkesboro is $39,288, 48% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. The poverty rate of 17.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in North Wilkesboro is $231,400, 18% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $659 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,766 per 100,000, 92% above the national average.

Education

26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

North Wilkesboro enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.7 inches, including 5.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

North Wilkesboro has a population of 4,348 with a density of 656 people per square mile. The median age is 41.6 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (70.7%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 14% Black.

Population

4,348
Total Population
656
People / sq mi
41.6yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54%
Female 46%

Race & Ethnicity

North Wilkesboro vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.1%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.9%
56% below US avg

Social Characteristics

North Wilkesboro vs U.S. Average

The median household income in North Wilkesboro is $39,288, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: North Wilkesboro vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,288
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,956
Avg Weekly Wage$923
IRS Avg AGI$61,890

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.1%
38% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,388
County GDP$3,234M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare126
Retail225
Manufacturing62

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,412
3% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.47%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.3 min
Work from Home12.2%

Walkability

The median home value in North Wilkesboro is $231,400, 18% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $659 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $204,318.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$231,400
18% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$204,318
Median List Price$242,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$242,000
$/Sq Ft$136
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio98.0%
Price Drops40.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$659
43% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied45.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,412
3% below US avg
Effective Rate1.47%
In North Wilkesboro, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.0% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: North Wilkesboro vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes11.6%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure35.8%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.0%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress14.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.0%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death12,047/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access66.5%
Healthcare Facilities126
North Wilkesboro has a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, 18% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,766 per 100,000 (92% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: North Wilkesboro vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent450.0/100K
18% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape23.7/100K
Robbery23.7/100K
Assault402.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,766.0/100K
92% above US avg
Burglary355.3/100K
Theft3,363.3/100K
Vehicle Theft47.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
North Wilkesboro has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.3°F
6% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.7 inches
36% above US avg
Snowfall5.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,155 ft (352 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.2 km²)
Population Density656/sq mi
Coordinates36.1728°N, 81.1389°W
County FIPS37193
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.5%
D 19.9%

Winner: Republican by 59.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.2%
22% below US avg
High School+76.7%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density656/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants100
Retail Stores225

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.3 min
Work from Home12.2%

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