North Wilkesboro, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina had a total population of 4,421, the 194th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,474, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
North Wilkesboro Quick Facts
How North Wilkesboro 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 | 4,348 | 4,421 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $39,288 | $38,474 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $231,400 | $212,700 | -8.1% |
How North Wilkesboro Compares
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
North Wilkesboro Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wilkes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkesboro | 3,646 | $40,907 | 22.6% | $223,700 |
| Cricket | 2,317 | $39,859 | 27.0% | $140,600 |
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | 11.7% | $172,400 |
| Fairplains | 1,803 | $38,585 | 36.3% | $140,200 |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | 18.9% | $227,200 |
| Moravian Falls | 1,285 | $47,548 | 5.4% | $218,800 |
| Hays | 1,053 | $55,035 | 4.9% | $183,800 |
| Pleasant Hill | 793 | $52,381 | 7.1% | $147,800 |
| Ronda | 436 | $48,393 | 21.3% | $109,500 |
Cities Similar to North Wilkesboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edenton | 4,494 | $38,417 | $274,100 | 23.1% | 29.9% |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | $167,400 | 15.5% | 21.8% |
| Ahoskie | 4,764 | $40,987 | $143,200 | 22.6% | 27.7% |
| Raeford | 4,552 | $46,494 | $201,800 | 23.6% | 20.7% |
| Mount Olive | 4,453 | $48,700 | $153,500 | 22.8% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
North Wilkesboro is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wilkes County. The total population is 4,421. It ranks as the 194th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in North Wilkesboro is 43.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in North Wilkesboro is $38,474. This is 47% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.8%. This is 83% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $212,700. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in North Wilkesboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.7%. The Black or African American population (6.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
24.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for North Wilkesboro, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina has a population of 4,421 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in North Wilkesboro, NC?
The median household income in North Wilkesboro is $38,474, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in North Wilkesboro, NC?
The poverty rate in North Wilkesboro is 23.8%. This means approximately 920 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
North Wilkesboro's population is 74.6% White, 6.7% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in North Wilkesboro, NC?
The median home value in North Wilkesboro is $212,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is North Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
24.7% of adults (25+) in North Wilkesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.