Wilkes County, NC

County

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2020 Population

68,341

0.187% 1-year decline

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

45.1

0.445% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

16.4%

7.18% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$44,980

1.98% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$129,200

2.3% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

29,631

0.601% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Wilkes County, NC had a population of 68.3k people with a median age of 45.1 and a median household income of $44,980. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Wilkes County, NC declined from 68,469 to 68,341, a −0.187% decrease and its median household income grew from $44,107 to $44,980, a 1.98% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Wilkes County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (87.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.74%), White (Hispanic) (3.28%), Other (Hispanic) (1.66%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (1.54%).

None of the households in Wilkes County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.5% of the residents in Wilkes County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wilkes County, NC are Wilkes Community College (1,537 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Wilkes County, NC was $129,200, and the homeownership rate was 75.9%. Most people in Wilkes County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Wilkes County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Wilkes County, NC borders Alexander County, NC, Alleghany County, NC, Ashe County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Iredell County, NC, Surry County, NC, Watauga County, NC, and Yadkin County, NC.

United States North Carolina North Wilkesboro, NC

Diversity

Wilkes County, NC is home to a population of 68.3k people, from which 97.5% are citizens. As of 2020, 3.72% of Wilkes County, NC residents were born outside of the country (2.54k people).

In 2020, there were 23.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (59.5k people) in Wilkes County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.56k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.24k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wilkes County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
59.5k ± 55
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.56k ± 261
White (Hispanic)
2.24k ± 482

6.61%

Hispanic Population

4.52k people

6.61% of the people in Wilkes County, NC are hispanic (4.52k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Wilkes County, NC as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

3.72%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

2.54k people

4.14%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

2.84k people

As of 2020, 3.72% of Wilkes County, NC residents (2.54k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wilkes County, NC was 4.14%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Wilkes County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.1

In 2020, the median age of all people in Wilkes County, NC was 45.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 46, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Wilkes County, NC are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Wilkes County, NC residents was 45.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
224,275 ± 11,501 people
India
74,765 ± 6,689 people
Honduras
37,815 ± 4,766 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 224,275 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 74,765 and Honduras with 37,815.

Citizenship

97.5%

2020 Citizenship

97.2%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 97.5% of Wilkes County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Wilkes County, NC was 97.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Wilkes County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,553 ± 250
Gulf War (1990s)
731 ± 262
Gulf War (2001-)
605 ± 251

Wilkes County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.12 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Wilkes County, NC is $44,980. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Wilkes County, NC was Census Tract 9610.02 with a value of $49,564, followed by Census Tract 9608.02 and Census Tract 9610.01, with respective values of $47,071 and $45,019.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,357. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Wilkes County, NC employs 29.6k people. The largest industries in Wilkes County, NC are Manufacturing (5,147 people), Retail Trade (4,674 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,598 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($90,561), Utilities ($48,388), and Public Administration ($45,009).

Wages

Median Household Income

$44,980

2020 value

± $2,049

1.98%

1 Year Growth

± 6.52%

Households in Wilkes County, NC have a median annual income of $44,980, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $44,107 in 2019, which represents a 1.98% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Wilkes County, NC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

$65,285

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,177

$49,357

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $863

In 2020, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.32 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in North Carolina

Asian
$68,761 ± $4,586
White
$55,155 ± $864
Two or More Races
$42,126 ± $3,548

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.25 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Wilkes County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2020, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.395% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9610.02
Census Tract 9608.02
Census Tract 9610.01

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Wilkes County, NC was Census Tract 9610.02 with a value of $49,564, followed by Census Tract 9608.02 and Census Tract 9610.01, with respective values of $47,071 and $45,019.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Wilkes County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wilkes County, NC (11k out of 67.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Females < 5.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
9,415 ± 749
Hispanic
1,397 ± 303
Two Or More
647 ± 261

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wilkes County, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

29.6k

2020 Value

± 1,498

0.601%

1 Year growth

± 6.71%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Wilkes County, NC grew at a rate of 0.601%, from 29.5k employees to 29.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wilkes County, NC, are Production Occupations (3,503 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,017 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,009 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wilkes County, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Wilkes County, NC, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (3,503 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,017 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,009 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Wilkes County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.12 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.96 times), and Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (1.67 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Wilkes County, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($75,179), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($61,953), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($56,598).

Industries

Employment by Industries

29.6k

2020 Value

± 1,498

0.601%

1 Year growth

± 6.71%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Wilkes County, NC grew at a rate of 0.601%, from 29.5k employees to 29.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wilkes County, NC, are Manufacturing (5,147 people), Retail Trade (4,674 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,598 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wilkes County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Wilkes County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Wilkes County, NC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (5,147 people), Retail Trade (4,674 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,598 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Wilkes County, NC has an unusually high number of Management of Companies & Enterprises (5.37 times higher than expected), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (2.49 times), and Manufacturing (1.73 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Wilkes County, NC, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($90,561), Utilities ($48,388), and Public Administration ($45,009).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.9B, followed by Machinery ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($48.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$488B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

89.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $488B. This is expected to increase 89.6% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$35.1B
Virginia
$27B
Georgia
$18.5B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $35.1B, followed by Virginia with $27B and Georgia and $18.5B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wilkes County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 77.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (21.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.603%). The most partisan county was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (77.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (21.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.603%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wilkes County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of North Carolina.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Wilkes County, NC

77.8% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Durham County, NC
80.4% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Yadkin County, NC
80% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Graham County, NC
79.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in North Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Wilkes County, NC awarded 1,537 degrees. The student population of Wilkes County, NC is skewed towards women, with 979 male students and 1,456 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wilkes County, NC are White (1,292 and 84.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (132 and 8.62%), Unknown (58 and 3.79%), and Two or More Races (28 and 1.83%).

The largest universities in Wilkes County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wilkes Community College (1,537 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Wilkes County, NC are Animal Husbandry & Production (206 and 13.4%), Automobile Mechanics Technology (178 and 11.6%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (140 and 9.11%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
140 degree-majorss awarded
Animal Husbandry & Production
36 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
23 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Wilkes County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 140 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Wilkes County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Wilkes Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,537 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Wilkes County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wilkes Community College with 1,537 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

936

Degrees Awarded to Men

601

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 936 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wilkes County, NC, which is 1.56 times more than the 601 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Wilkes County, NC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,292 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
132 degrees awarded
Unknown
58 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Wilkes County, NC was White students. These 1,292 degrees mean that there were 9.79 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 132 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Wilkes County, NC was $129,200 in 2020, which is 0.562 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $126,300 to $129,200, a 2.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Wilkes County, NC is 75.9%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Wilkes County, NC have an average commute time of 25.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Wilkes County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$129,200

2020 Median

± $7,269

$126,300

2019 Median

± $7,084

In 2020, the median property value in Wilkes County, NC grew to to $129,200 from the previous year's value of $126,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Wilkes County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wilkes County, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$44,980

Median Household Income

± $2,049

28.9k

Number of Households

± 1,420

In 2020, the median household income of the 28.9k households in Wilkes County, NC grew to $44,980 from the previous year's value of $44,107.

The following chart displays the households in Wilkes County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Wilkes County, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wilkes County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

75.9%

2020 Homeownership

75.7%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 75.9% of the housing units in Wilkes County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Wilkes County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

25.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wilkes County, NC have a shorter commute time (25.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3.01% of the workforce in Wilkes County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Wilkes County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (82.1%)
Carpooled (11.3%)
Worked At Home (5.15%)

In 2020, 82.1% of workers in Wilkes County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.3%) and those who worked at home (5.15%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Wilkes County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wilkes County, NC have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

88.5% of the population of Wilkes County, NC has health coverage, with 38.8% on employee plans, 17.4% on Medicaid, 16.8% on Medicare, 14.2% on non-group plans, and 1.35% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Wilkes County, NC see 2364 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.47% decrease from the previous year (2449 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2736 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 526 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jones County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (27.2%). Additionally, Bladen County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (49.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,364 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wilkes County, NC

Primary care physicians in Wilkes County, NC see an average of 2,364 patients per year. This represents a 3.47% decrease from the previous year (2,449 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wilkes County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in North Carolina

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

11.5%

Uninsured

38.8%

Employer Coverage

17.4%

Medicaid

16.8%

Medicare

14.2%

Non-Group

1.35%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wilkes County, NC grew by 0.821% from 11.4% to 11.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Wilkes County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.