Population 65,935 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Wilkes County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Wilkes County
Household size in Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.44 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.37 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Wilkes County has 2.43 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
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 Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.9 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.5 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.9 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.7 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
Wilkes County skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.7, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.9, as it has nationally.
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 Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.5% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Wilkes County (12.5%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in North Carolina as a whole (11.4%). The single-parent share has risen 3.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Wilkes County
Renters in Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.7% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.3% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.3% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.5% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Wilkes County own their homes; 26.5% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. More than half of owners (54.4%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southeast. The renter share has edged up 0.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.1% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.7% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Wilkes County: 15.0% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
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 Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +7 | +6 |
Homes in Wilkes County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1979, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in North Carolina as a whole, where the median home dates to 1990. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $507 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $604 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $643 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $728 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$221 | +$528 | +$606 |
Rent in Wilkes County runs $728 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $221 a month from 2006–10, a 44% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 26.9% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the southwest.
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 Wilkes County
Bachelor's degrees in Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.2% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.7% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Wilkes County: 16.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.1 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the northwest.
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 Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.5% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 74.5% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.0% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than one in six adults in Wilkes County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 9.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of North Carolina's 100 counties, only three have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 Wilkes County
| Period | Wilkes County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.1% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.5%, unemployment in Wilkes County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in North Carolina overall (4.8%). Unemployment is down 4.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Wilkes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes County | 2.43 | 45.7 | 12.5% | 26.5% | 15.0% | 1979 | $728 | 16.7% | 81.6% | 5.5% |
| Yadkin County | 2.51 | 44.8 | 9.4% | 23.1% | 13.6% | 1983 | $844 | 17.9% | 86.5% | 5.0% |
| Watauga County | 2.33 | 35.3 | 6.0% | 37.9% | 27.1% | 1986 | $1,142 | 52.3% | 91.3% | 7.7% |
| Avery County | 2.31 | 46.8 | 5.7% | 17.0% | 42.2% | 1984 | $869 | 25.0% | 87.4% | 4.6% |
| Forsyth County | 2.43 | 39.7 | 12.8% | 36.4% | 9.7% | 1985 | $1,234 | 38.6% | 89.9% | 5.3% |
| Unicoi County | 2.23 | 46.9 | 10.2% | 27.1% | 11.7% | 1975 | $824 | 20.8% | 86.9% | 4.5% |
| Guilford County | 2.44 | 38.6 | 12.8% | 40.1% | 10.2% | 1984 | $1,268 | 38.9% | 90.7% | 4.7% |
| Greene County | 2.49 | 44.3 | 9.3% | 22.9% | 13.4% | 1983 | $763 | 19.5% | 88.3% | 5.9% |
| Alamance County | 2.51 | 39.6 | 12.2% | 35.0% | 9.7% | 1986 | $1,093 | 28.6% | 88.2% | 5.2% |
| Hamblen County | 2.55 | 40.3 | 14.5% | 30.2% | 7.6% | 1982 | $890 | 20.2% | 88.3% | 4.8% |
| Jefferson County | 2.56 | 45.0 | 10.1% | 24.2% | 13.2% | 1988 | $914 | 20.4% | 89.0% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Adams County, IL · Allegany County, MD · Apache County, AZ · Armstrong County, PA · Aroostook County, ME · Athens County, OH · Autauga County, AL · Belmont County, OH · Boone County, IN · Putnam County, FL
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 Wilkes 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.