RANK #489 / 1001 NAT · #25 / 51 NC · POP 65,935
1YR FORECAST: +5.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Wilkes County, North Carolina, is recognized as a birthplace of NASCAR, stemming from its history as the "Moonshine Capital of the World" where bootleggers outran law enforcement in modified cars. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the county seat, Wilkesboro, is approximately a three-hour drive from Raleigh. The community offers a rural feel with access to extensive outdoor recreation, including Stone Mountain State Park, the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir for boating and fishing, and numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking, such as the Yadkin River Greenway.
Life in Wilkes County is characterized by a strong sense of community and a focus on outdoor activities. The Wilkes County Schools system serves nearly all of the county, operating 22 schools. While historically facing economic challenges, recent developments indicate a shift, with initiatives like the Golden LEAF SITE Program supporting industrial site development and an information technology outsourcing firm, Provalus, investing in North Wilkesboro to create new jobs. Wilkes Community College also plays a role in local success, doubling its graduation rate and establishing programs to address student needs.
Wilkes County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +5.2% YoY, population -0.1%, wages +8.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Wilkes County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#489). Median household income is $51,721 and job growth is running at -0.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Wilkes County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $168,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $723/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Wilkes County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs -0.2%. Home values shifted +5.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.03% of Wilkes County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.
Home values climbed +5.2% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Wilkes County is now valued at $168,800. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.