Wilkes County, NC

County

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2021 Population

66,335

2.94% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

45.1

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

17.3%

5.48% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$46,079

2.44% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$133,200

3.1% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

27,997

5.51% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Wilkes County, NC had a population of 66.3k people with a median age of 45.1 and a median household income of $46,079. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Wilkes County, NC declined from 68,341 to 66,335, a −2.94% decrease and its median household income grew from $44,980 to $46,079, a 2.44% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Wilkes County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (86.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.89%), White (Hispanic) (2.72%), Two+ (Hispanic) (2.6%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.49%).

None of the households in Wilkes County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.9% of the residents in Wilkes County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wilkes County, NC are Wilkes Community College (1,373 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Wilkes County, NC was $133,200, and the homeownership rate was 74.5%.

Most people in Wilkes County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Wilkes County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Wilkes County, NC borders Alexander County, NC, Alleghany County, NC, Ashe County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Iredell County, NC, Surry County, NC, Watauga County, NC, and Yadkin County, NC.

United States North Carolina North Wilkesboro, NC

Population & Diversity

Wilkes County, NC is home to a population of 66.3k people, from which 97.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 3.45% of Wilkes County, NC residents were born outside of the country (2.29k people).

In 2021, there were 22.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (57.5k people) in Wilkes County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.58k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.8k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.9%

2021 Citizenship

97.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.9% of Wilkes County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Wilkes County, NC was 97.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Wilkes County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wilkes County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
57.5k ± 45
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.58k ± 271
White (Hispanic)
1.8k ± 528

6.8%

Hispanic Population

4.51k people

6.8% of the people in Wilkes County, NC are hispanic (4.51k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Wilkes County, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

3.45%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

2.29k people

3.72%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

2.54k people

As of 2021, 3.45% of Wilkes County, NC residents (2.29k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wilkes County, NC was 3.72%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Wilkes County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,450 ± 250
Gulf War (1990s)
796 ± 296
Gulf War (2001-)
509 ± 182

Wilkes County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.82 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Wilkes County, NC employs 28k people. The largest industries in Wilkes County, NC are Manufacturing (4,686 people), Retail Trade (4,475 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,131 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($55,917), Utilities ($51,115), and Public Administration ($48,024).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

28k

2021 Value

± 1,441

−5.51%

1 Year decline

± 7.64%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Wilkes County, NC declined at a rate of −5.51%, from 29.6k employees to 28k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wilkes County, NC, are Production Occupations (3,248 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,748 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,647 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wilkes County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

28k

2021 Value

± 1,441

−5.51%

1 Year decline

± 7.64%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Wilkes County, NC declined at a rate of −5.51%, from 29.6k employees to 28k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wilkes County, NC, are Manufacturing (4,686 people), Retail Trade (4,475 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,131 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wilkes County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Wilkes County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$34,781

Median earning men ± $2,663

$27,888

Median earning women ± $2,911

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($49,196), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($40,635), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($39,861).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Information ($45,179), Public Administration ($41,131), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($37,827).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

408
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
267
Manufacturing
256
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$502k
Manufacturing
$201k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$72k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wilkes County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 77.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (21.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.603%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (77.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (21.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.603%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wilkes County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Wilkes County, NC awarded 1,373 degrees. The student population of Wilkes County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 960 male students and 1,355 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wilkes County, NC are White (1,136 and 83.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (130 and 9.55%), Unknown (33 and 2.42%), and Black or African American (31 and 2.28%).

The largest universities in Wilkes County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wilkes Community College (1,373 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Wilkes County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (185 and 13.5%), General Business Administration & Management (155 and 11.3%), and Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians. (103 and 7.5%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 2,315 students enrolled in Wilkes County, NC, 41.5% men and 58.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,869 records, of which 57.8% were women and 42.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
185 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
29 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
25 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Wilkes County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 185 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Wilkes County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Wilkes Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,373 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wilkes Community College with 1,373 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 733 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wilkes County, NC, which is 1.15 times more than the 640 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,136 degrees mean that there were 8.74 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 130 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,432) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($140) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,700) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Wilkes County, NC was $133,200 in 2021, which is 0.544 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $129,200 to $133,200, a 3.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Wilkes County, NC is 74.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Wilkes County, NC have an average commute time of 26.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Wilkes County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Wilkes County, NC is $46,079. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Wilkes County, NC was Census Tract 9610.02 with a value of $50,995, followed by Census Tract 9603 and Census Tract 9608.02, with respective values of $49,566 and $47,271.

In 2022, 12.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wilkes County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.03%.

Housing

Property

$133,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,490

$20,301

Median Property Taxes

±$1,161

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wilkes County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Wilkes County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

74.5%

Homeownership

2021

64.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 74.5% of the housing units in Wilkes County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 75.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Wilkes County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9610.02
Census Tract 9603
Census Tract 9608.02

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Wilkes County, NC was Census Tract 9610.02 with a value of $50,995, followed by Census Tract 9603 and Census Tract 9608.02, with respective values of $49,566 and $47,271.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Wilkes County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$46,079

Median Household Income

± $2,450

27.3k

Number of Households

± 1,325

In 2021, the median household income of the 27.3k households in Wilkes County, NC grew to $46,079 from the previous year's value of $44,980.

The following chart displays the households in Wilkes County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Wilkes County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (82.7%)
Carpooled (9.88%)
Worked At Home (5.91%)

In 2021, 82.7% of workers in Wilkes County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.88%) and those who worked at home (5.91%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wilkes County, NC have a longer commute time (26.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.51% of the workforce in Wilkes County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Wilkes County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Wilkes County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wilkes County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 12.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wilkes County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.03%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

17.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wilkes County, NC (11.3k out of 65.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wilkes County, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 20.1% of the children was living in poverty in Wilkes County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 8.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 209 in Wilkes County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 35.2 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

87.4% of the population of Wilkes County, NC has health coverage, with 35.9% on employee plans, 19.2% on Medicaid, 16.9% on Medicare, 14.2% on non-group plans, and 1.22% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Wilkes County, NC see 2443 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.34% increase from the previous year (2364 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2722 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 483 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,443 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wilkes County, NC

Primary care physicians in Wilkes County, NC see an average of 2,443 patients per year. This represents a 3.34% increase from the previous year (2,364 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wilkes County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.9% under 18 years, 17.2% between 18 and 34 years, 39.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

12.6%

Uninsured

35.9%

Employer Coverage

19.2%

Medicaid

16.9%

Medicare

14.2%

Non-Group

1.22%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wilkes County, NC grew by 9.36% from 11.5% to 12.6%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Wilkes County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 55.7 in Wilkes County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wilkes County, NC.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 33% in Wilkes County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wilkes County, NC.

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