Wilkesboro town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wilkesboro town, North Carolina has a total population of 3,664, the 226th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $41,175, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Wilkesboro town Quick Facts
How Wilkesboro town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wilkesboro town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wilkes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Wilkesboro town | 4,348 | $39,288 | 21.1% | $231,400 |
Cities Similar to Wilkesboro town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabor City town | 3,695 | $37,014 | $109,600 | 12.6% | 40.5% |
| Windsor town | 3,417 | $38,631 | $111,400 | 13.4% | 25.4% |
| River Road CDP | 3,518 | $47,978 | $187,700 | 28.5% | 21.0% |
| Lowell city | 3,711 | $51,829 | $152,200 | 16.9% | 19.2% |
| Buies Creek CDP | 3,613 | $52,458 | $370,500 | 66.0% | 45.5% |
Population Overview
Wilkesboro town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wilkes County. The total population is 3,664. It ranks as the 226th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wilkesboro town is 44.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 17.3% 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 Wilkesboro town is $41,175. This is 41% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.7%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $197,600. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 50.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wilkesboro town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.5%. The Black or African American population (9.0%) is well below the state average of 20.3%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wilkesboro town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Wilkesboro town, North Carolina?
Wilkesboro town, North Carolina has a population of 3,664 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wilkesboro town, NC?
The median household income in Wilkesboro town is $41,175, which is 48% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wilkesboro town, NC?
The poverty rate in Wilkesboro town is 18.7%. This means approximately 629 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wilkesboro town, North Carolina?
Wilkesboro town's population is 81.0% White, 9.0% Black, 9.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wilkesboro town, NC?
The median home value in Wilkesboro town is $197,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Wilkesboro town, North Carolina?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Wilkesboro town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.