Wilkesboro, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wilkesboro, North Carolina had a total population of 3,646, the 228th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $40,907, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Wilkesboro Quick Facts
How 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 | 3,664 | 3,646 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $41,175 | $40,907 | -0.7% |
| Median home value | $197,600 | $223,700 | +13.2% |
How 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wilkesboro Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wilkes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Wilkesboro | 4,421 | $38,474 | 23.8% | $212,700 |
| 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 Wilkesboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabor City | 3,777 | $38,714 | $115,900 | 11.9% | 32.9% |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | $170,100 | 4.0% | 21.5% |
| Windsor | 3,269 | $40,714 | $102,700 | 12.0% | 15.5% |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | $167,400 | 15.5% | 21.8% |
| River Road | 3,366 | $46,352 | $232,800 | 26.5% | 22.3% |
Population Overview
Wilkesboro is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wilkes County. The total population is 3,646. It ranks as the 228th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wilkesboro is 47.9 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 19.6% 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 is $40,907. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 73% 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 4.0%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $223,700. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 48.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wilkesboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.4%.
Education
24.5% 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
Wilkesboro, North Carolina has a population of 3,646 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wilkesboro, NC?
The median household income in Wilkesboro is $40,907, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wilkesboro, NC?
The poverty rate in Wilkesboro is 22.6%. This means approximately 758 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
Wilkesboro's population is 76.0% White, 13.4% Black, 10.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wilkesboro, NC?
The median home value in Wilkesboro is $223,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Wilkesboro, North Carolina?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Wilkesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.