Population 45,139 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Stokes County
Household size in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.46 | 2.50 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.32 | 2.49 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.33 | 2.46 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.16 | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Stokes County are small: just 2.33 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.49, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.9 | 39.1 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.3 | 40.2 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.2 | 41.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.5 | 41.5 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.6 | +2.4 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.5, Stokes County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.9, mirroring the country.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 12.1% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 12.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 11.7% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 11.8% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.9% of households in Stokes County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 2.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Stokes County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five North Carolina counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Stokes County
Renters in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 29.2% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.5% | 31.4% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.4% | 33.2% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.8% | 30.8% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 20.8% of households in Stokes County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 48.5% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the southwest; owners are most common in the center. The renter share has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.2% | 11.4% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.8% | 11.5% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.6% | 11.4% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 9.9% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Just as many homes sit empty in Stokes County as nationally: 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.6 points, in line with the national trend. Stokes County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of North Carolina counties.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1980 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1980 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1982 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1985 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +7 | +6 |
The housing in Stokes County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. That is in line with the rest of the Winston-Salem area. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $579 | $700 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $616 | $751 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $697 | $830 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $812 | $1,102 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$233 | +$403 | +$528 | +$606 |
The median renter in Stokes County pays $812 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $233 a month since 2006–10, up 40%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 28.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Stokes County
Bachelor's degrees in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 25.2% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 25.9% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.4% | 27.2% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.2% | 31.2% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.4 pts | +6.0 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Stokes County: 18.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 7.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the northeast.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.4% | 83.9% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.8% | 84.4% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.5% | 87.0% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.6% | 89.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.2 pts | +5.7 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Stokes County have finished high school (91.6%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 12.2 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Stokes County
| Period | Stokes County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 8.4% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 10.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.2% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.3 pts | −3.5 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Stokes County has been strong: just 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few North Carolina counties have lower unemployment: only six of 100. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.3 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Stokes County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stokes County | 2.33 | 47.5 | 7.9% | 20.8% | 9.6% | 1984 | $812 | 18.2% | 91.6% | 3.2% |
| Surry County | 2.37 | 44.0 | 12.2% | 26.6% | 12.0% | 1979 | $760 | 20.3% | 83.8% | 4.1% |
| Rockingham County | 2.36 | 44.3 | 12.0% | 27.9% | 11.1% | 1978 | $836 | 17.6% | 85.6% | 6.1% |
| Alleghany County | 2.15 | 51.2 | 4.0% | 25.6% | 29.5% | 1980 | $721 | 22.2% | 83.7% | 4.1% |
| Caswell County | 2.42 | 45.9 | 12.2% | 24.8% | 15.2% | 1982 | $719 | 18.3% | 84.6% | 5.1% |
| Ashe County | 2.20 | 49.6 | 9.0% | 20.6% | 27.3% | 1983 | $894 | 27.0% | 89.1% | 4.5% |
| Person County | 2.49 | 43.3 | 12.5% | 22.7% | 12.4% | 1983 | $982 | 19.0% | 88.8% | 5.6% |
| Watauga County | 2.33 | 35.3 | 6.0% | 37.9% | 27.1% | 1986 | $1,142 | 52.3% | 91.3% | 7.7% |
| Johnson County | 2.33 | 46.2 | 14.4% | 22.5% | 16.3% | 1982 | $741 | 17.4% | 83.0% | 3.8% |
| Granville County | 2.58 | 41.5 | 13.9% | 22.9% | 12.7% | 1991 | $1,074 | 25.1% | 88.1% | 5.0% |
| Vance County | 2.66 | 39.3 | 19.2% | 39.9% | 15.9% | 1982 | $923 | 17.0% | 86.0% | 8.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Cerro Gordo County, IA · Tuscola County, MI · Uintah County, UT · Clark County, WI · Chesterfield County, SC · Cherokee County, TX · Chenango County, NY · Cheatham County, TN · Charlottesville City, VA · Champaign County, OH
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Stokes County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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