City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

North Wilkesboro, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for North Wilkesboro - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,348
Residents
$39,288
Median income
$231,400
Median home
$925
Median rent (state)

North Wilkesboro - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, North Wilkesboro lands in the 7th percentile for household income and the 26th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

7th
percentile, household income
51st
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
26th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: North Wilkesboro, NC

4,348 people live in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. North Wilkesboro households earn a median of $39,288 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.1%. North Wilkesboro's housing stock carries a median value of $231,400, and the median resident age is 41.6 years. 26.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 1 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 50% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2313.3 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $925 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 82.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

4,348 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$39,288 /yr

Poverty 17.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does North Wilkesboro compare to other US cities?

Where North Wilkesboro sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 51% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 26% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at North Carolina, North Wilkesboro ranks #91 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below North Wilkesboro's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

7thIncome percentile
26thSafety percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income · 26th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

North Wilkesboro's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

North Wilkesboro's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
North Wilkesboro's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How North Wilkesboro's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$231,400 49th percentile more affordable than 49% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. North Wilkesboro $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - North Wilkesboro, NC North Wilkesboro, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not North Wilkesboro, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution North Wilkesboro, NC median $39,288/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
North Wilkesboro, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for North Wilkesboro, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,348
Median Income
$39,288
Median Home Value
$231,400
Median Age
41.6
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Labor force participation
50.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2313.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
254.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2058.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,340 residents4,360 residents4,380 residents4,400 residents4,420 residents4,440 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,422 residents 4,369 residents ▼ -1.2%
North Wilkesboro's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 2
2021 3
2022 2
2023 1
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 50% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.2%
Carpool
4.6%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
2.8%
Work from Home
12.2%
Other
0.6%

Based on 1,775 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county North Wilkesboro sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$925/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
82.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Sunset Beach
4,326 people
Canton
4,417 people
Newport
4,428 people
Spindale
4,244 people
Shallotte
4,465 people
Franklin
4,221 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to North Wilkesboro's 4,348 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

McMurray, PA
4,348 people
Belleair, FL
4,350 people
Hutchinson Island South, FL
4,350 people
Sykesville, MD
4,346 people
Isle of Palms, SC
4,350 people
Union Mill, VA
4,351 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to North Wilkesboro's $39,288 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sedgwick, AR
$39,286 median income
St. Johns, IL
$39,286 median income
Dupont, WV
$39,286 median income
Weleetka, OK
$39,292 median income
Fayette, IA
$39,297 median income
Baraga, MI
$39,297 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - North Wilkesboro, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition North Wilkesboro, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.7% 14.0% 8.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.8% White 70.7% Black or African American 14.0% Asian 3.8% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.9% Two or more races 8.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How North Wilkesboro compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
North Wilkesboro (this city) 4,348 $39,288
Sunset Beach 4,326 $84,934
Canton 4,417 $64,034
Newport 4,428 $76,091
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about North Wilkesboro, NC?

What is the population of North Wilkesboro, NC? +

North Wilkesboro, NC counts 4,348 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in North Wilkesboro, NC? +

In North Wilkesboro, the typical household earns $39,288 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in North Wilkesboro? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for North Wilkesboro; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is North Wilkesboro, NC safe? +

North Wilkesboro has a total crime rate of 2313.3 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in North Wilkesboro, NC? +

Homes in North Wilkesboro carry a median value of $231,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.