Wilkes County, North Carolina

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,968 km² (760 mi²). 1,961 km² (757 mi²) of it is land and 7 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.36% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 65,632 people, 26,650 households, and 19,321 families residing in the county. The population density is 33/km² (87/mi²). There are 29,261 housing units at an average density of 15/km² (39/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.95% White, 4.16% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 3.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 26,650 households out of which 30.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% are married couples living together, 9.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% are non-families. 24.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 2.87.

In the county the population is spread out with 22.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $34,258, and the median income for a family is $40,607. Males have a median income of $27,346 versus $21,089 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,516. 11.90% of the population and 8.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 13.20% are under the age of 18 and 17.20% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Cricket
• Fairplains
• Hays
• Millers Creek
• Moravian Falls
• Mulberry
• North Wilkesboro
• Pleasant Hill
• Ronda
• Wilkesboro