County · Georgia
Wilkes County, Georgia
Wilkes County, Georgia. Wilkes County had 9,540 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020, while Georgia grew 5.5%. It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 13317.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,540
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,565 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,549
Median household income
$52,043
±$3,195 (90% margin)
Georgia: $77,353
Median home value
$122,700
±$15,140 (90% margin)
Georgia: $303,300
Median gross rent
$786
±$133 (90% margin)
Georgia: $1,393
How many people live in Wilkes County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,565 residents in Wilkes County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,540 for July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, while Georgia grew 5.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,549 over 470 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wilkes County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,549 | 10,940,407 | −295 |
| Households | 4,133±225 | 4,074,366 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.12 | 2.62 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 5,254±23 | 4,541,835 | +89 |
Wilkes County's population since 2000
From 10,687 in 2000 to 9,540 in 2025: down 10.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Wilkes County?
Wilkes County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Washington with 3,638 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Washington | 3,754 | $54,219 |
|---|---|---|
| TignallGEOID 1376532 | 485 | $53,438 |
| RayleGEOID 1363756 | 158 | $52,944 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Wilkes County?
The median resident of Wilkes County is 46.0 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 24.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 51.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 39.4%. 3.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wilkes County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.0±1.5 | 37.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.2%±0.9 pts | 23.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.2%±0.8 pts | 15.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.8% | 11.0% | −0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 51.6%±0.6 pts | 49.1% | +0.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 39.4%±1.7 pts | 30.7% | −3.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±1.0 pts | 4.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7%±1.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8%±1.5 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.2%±1.3 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±1.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 17.7%±2.5 pts | 13.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.3%±2.8 pts | 12.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.4%±3.8 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.9%±4.2 pts | 34.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.7%±1.8 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Wilkes County earn?
Half of Wilkes County's 4,133 households earn less than $52,043 a year (±$3,195), against $77,353 in Georgia. In 2015-2019 it was $46,567 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wilkes County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,043±$3,195 | $77,353 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,862±$12,684 | $106,944 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,364±$4,723 | $40,924 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.8%±4.7 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.3%±10.3 pts | 18.3% | −18.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.6%±4.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 67.1%±5.3 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Wilkes County?
Owners occupy 66.1% of Wilkes County's occupied homes and renters 33.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $122,700 by its owner (±$15,140). The median renter pays $786 a month including utilities, and 36.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wilkes County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $122,700±$15,140 | $303,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $786±$133 | $1,393 | −$152 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.6%±14.2 pts | 43.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,348±$90 | $1,783 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.1%±4.7 pts | 65.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,254±23 | 4,541,835 | +89 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±1.0 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.8%±5.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.1%±4.9 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 22.4%±4.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.0%±2.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Wilkes County building?
Builders took permits for 37 new housing units across Wilkes County in 2025 (29 single-family), 3.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wilkes County get to work?
84.0% of Wilkes County's workers drive alone and 2.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.6 minutes.
| Measure | Wilkes County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.3%±3.8 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.5%±1.3 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 84.0%±4.4 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.5%±3.9 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.9%±1.9 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.6 min±3.0 | 28.3 min | +6.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Wilkes County's census tracts?
Wilkes County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,024 (Tract 103.02) to $66,658 (Tract 103.01).
| Tract 101.0113317010101 | 1,742±292 | $55,483 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 101.0213317010102 | 1,884±312 | $51,931 |
| Tract 103.0113317010301 | 2,112±301 | $66,658 |
| Tract 103.0213317010302 | 3,811±373 | $47,024 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wilkes County compare with Georgia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 126th of 159 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 125th of 159 |
| Residents per square mile | 143rd of 159 |
| Median household income | 113th of 159 |
| Median home value | 114th of 159 |
| Median gross rent | 114th of 157 |
| Poverty rate | 76th of 159 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 93rd of 159 |
| Median age | 18th of 159 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Wilkes County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.