Wilkesboro, NC

North Carolina

Wilkesboro is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 3,664. Residents earn $41,175 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,664 Population 556/sq mi density
$41,175 Median Income $30,044 per capita
$197,600 Home Value $261,150 Zillow
$713 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
408 Violent Crime/100K 9,059 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$41,175 median income, 2.3% unemployment
B+
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$197,600 home value, $713/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
408 violent crimes/100K (7% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,175
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $197,600
30% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 408/100K
7% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.7%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $713
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.2%
31% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,664
Median Age44.2 yrs
Density556/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B
Median Income$41,175
Per Capita$30,044
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty16.2%
County GDP$3,234M
Commute21 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$197,600
Rent$713
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$261,150

Crime

F
Violent408/100K
Property9,059/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault320/100K
Burglary320/100K

Health

Obesity36.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.7 in/yr
Elevation973 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.7%
High School+93.1%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 20%
Commute21 min
EV Stations6
Libraries2

Is Wilkesboro a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, 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. Wilkesboro has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wilkesboro is $41,175, 45% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. The poverty rate of 16.2% 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 Wilkesboro is $197,600, 30% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $713 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 408 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 9,059 per 100,000, 362% above the national average.

Education

22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

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.

Wilkesboro has a population of 3,664 with a density of 556 people per square mile. The median age is 44.2 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.1%), with 9% Black.

Population

3,664
Total Population
556
People / sq mi
44.2yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.1%
Female 55.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Wilkesboro vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.1%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.9%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wilkesboro vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wilkesboro is $41,175, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Wilkesboro vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,175
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,044
Avg Weekly Wage$923
IRS Avg AGI$61,890

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.2%
31% 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 Rate1.73%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.2 min
Work from Home7.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Wilkesboro is $197,600, 30% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $713 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $261,150.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$197,600
30% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$261,150

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$713
39% 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-Occupied50.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,412
3% below US avg
Effective Rate1.73%
In Wilkesboro, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.1% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma11.1%
COPD7.1%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.3%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.0%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death12,047/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access66.5%
Healthcare Facilities126
Wilkesboro has a violent crime rate of 408 per 100,000 residents, 7% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 9,059 per 100,000 (362% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent407.8/100K
7% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape29.1/100K
Robbery58.3/100K
Assault320.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property9,059.1/100K
362% above US avg
Burglary320.4/100K
Theft8,593.1/100K
Vehicle Theft145.7/100K
Arson29.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
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

Elevation973 ft (297 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.1 km²)
Population Density556/sq mi
Coordinates36.1424°N, 81.1769°W
County FIPS37193
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% 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+22.7%
33% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density556/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants100
Retail Stores225

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.2 min
Work from Home7.7%

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