Wilkes County, Georgia Demographics 2026
Wilkes County, Georgia has a population of 9,549, the 126th most populous county in Georgia. The median household income is $52,043 and the median home value is $122,700. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Wilkes County Quick Facts
How Wilkes County Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,553 | 9,549 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $52,542 | $52,043 | -0.9% |
| Median home value | $105,000 | $122,700 | +16.9% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Wilkes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 3,680 | $54,219 | 18.2% | $144,500 |
| Tignall | 763 | $53,438 | 10.4% | $71,000 |
| Rayle | 174 | $52,944 | 33.9% | N/A |
Explore Georgia Rankings
Population Overview
Wilkes County is located in Georgia with a total population of 9,549. It is the 126th most populous county out of 159 in Georgia. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wilkes County is 46.0 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 10.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wilkes County is $52,043. This is 33% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $122,700. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Wilkes County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wilkes County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Wilkes County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Georgia and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wilkes County, Georgia?
Wilkes County has a population of 9,549, making it the 126th most populous county in Georgia.
What is the median income in Wilkes County?
The median household income in Wilkes County is $52,043 with a poverty rate of 17.8%.
How many cities are in Wilkes County, Georgia?
Wilkes County contains 3 Census-designated places.