County · North Carolina
Stokes County, North Carolina
Stokes County, North Carolina. Stokes County had 46,126 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.6% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 6 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 13 census tracts. GEOID 37169.
Stokes County is one of the 5 counties of the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
46,126
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,520 · ACS 2020-2024: 45,139
Median household income
$62,969
±$2,276 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$196,700
±$8,788 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$775
±$31 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Stokes County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 44,520 residents in Stokes County. The Census Bureau estimates 46,126 for July 1, 2025, up 3.6% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 45,139 over 449 square miles of land.
| Measure | Stokes County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 45,139 | 10,730,404 | −642 |
| Households | 19,546±331 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.04 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,497±58 | 4,895,668 | −748 |
Stokes County's population since 2000
From 44,711 in 2000 to 46,126 in 2025: up 3.2%. 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 Stokes County?
Stokes County holds 6 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is King with 7,977 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| King | 7,197 | $57,817 |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Cove | 1,586 | $44,815 |
| PinnacleGEOID 3752500 | 786 | $23,750 |
| GermantonGEOID 3725880 | 790 | $62,108 |
| DanburyGEOID 3716240 | 189 | $72,250 |
| Tobaccoville | 2,578 | $80,263 |
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 Stokes County?
The median resident of Stokes County is 47.7 years old; 18.6% are under 18 and 23.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.8%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Stokes County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.7±0.5 | 39.1 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 18.6%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.1%±0.5 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% | 11.3% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.0%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.7 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.0%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±0.9 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 20.1%±1.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±1.3 pts | 9.9% | −3.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.4%±1.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.2%±2.0 pts | 35.7% | +4.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±0.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Stokes County earn?
Half of Stokes County's 19,546 households earn less than $62,969 a year (±$2,276), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $59,140 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Stokes County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,969±$2,276 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,672±$5,113 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,945±$2,166 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.2%±1.7 pts | 13.0% | −2.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.5%±5.1 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.8%±2.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.7%±2.5 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Stokes County?
Owners occupy 79.2% of Stokes County's occupied homes and renters 20.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $196,700 by its owner (±$8,788). The median renter pays $775 a month including utilities, and 40.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Stokes County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $196,700±$8,788 | $288,900 | +$28,095 |
| Median gross rent | $775±$31 | $1,228 | −$70 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.1%±7.6 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,266±$64 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.2%±2.6 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,497±58 | 4,895,668 | −748 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.2%±1.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.7%±2.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 24.7%±2.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.7%±1.1 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 Stokes County building?
Builders took permits for 256 new housing units across Stokes County in 2025 (251 single-family), 5.6 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 Stokes County get to work?
83.4% of Stokes County's workers drive alone and 7.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.
| Measure | Stokes County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.9%±2.0 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1%±1.0 pts | 4.7% | −2.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 83.4%±2.6 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4%±1.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.7%±1.7 pts | 16.3% | +4.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.6 min±2.1 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
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 Stokes County's census tracts?
Stokes County is divided into 13 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $40,427 (Tract 705.06) to $78,750 (Tract 703.01).
| Tract 701.0137169070101 | 3,141±376 | $46,250 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 701.0237169070102 | 2,635±527 | $64,464 |
| Tract 70237169070200 | 3,487±409 | $53,750 |
| Tract 703.0137169070301 | 2,485±519 | $78,750 |
| Tract 703.0237169070302 | 2,102±251 | $65,304 |
| Tract 70437169070400 | 4,890±701 | $75,037 |
| Tract 705.0337169070503 | 5,630±753 | $68,026 |
| Tract 705.0437169070504 | 3,750±479 | $64,625 |
| Tract 705.0537169070505 | 3,175±463 | $61,558 |
| Tract 705.0637169070506 | 3,095±456 | $40,427 |
| Tract 70637169070600 | 5,783±906 | $70,899 |
| Tract 707.0137169070701 | 2,854±375 | $56,593 |
| Tract 707.0237169070702 | 2,112±247 | $52,361 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Stokes County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 55th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 54th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 57th of 100 |
| Median household income | 43rd of 100 |
| Median home value | 63rd of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 80th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 78th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 73rd of 100 |
| Median age | 21st of 100 |
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 Stokes 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.