Wilkes County, NC

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Population

68,525

0.527% decline

Median Age

44.1


Median Household Income

$37,173

6.68% growth

Poverty Rate

20.9%


Number of Employees

28,169

1.52% growth

Median Property Value

$123,700

3.86% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Wilkes County, NC had a population of 68.5k people with a median age of 44.1 and a median household income of $37,173. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Wilkes County, NC declined from 68,888 to 68,525, a -0.527% decrease and its median household income grew from $34,846 to $37,173, a 6.68% increase.

The population of Wilkes County, NC is 87.9% White Alone, 6.12% Hispanic or Latino, and 4.12% Black or African American Alone. 5.67% of the people in Wilkes County, NC speak a non-English language, and 96.6% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wilkes County, NC are Wilkes Community College (784 degrees awarded in 2016).

The median property value in Wilkes County, NC is $123,700, and the homeownership rate is 74.5%. Most people in Wilkes County, NC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Wilkes County, NC is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Jeremy Taylor

United StatesNorth CarolinaNorth Wilkesboro, NC

Economy

The economy of Wilkes County, NC employs 28.2k people. The largest industries in Wilkes County, NC are Manufacturing (4,879 people), Retail Trade (4,616 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,115 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($51,528), Finance & Insurance ($44,282), and Utilities ($39,375).

Median household income in Wilkes County, NC is $37,173. Males in Wilkes County, NC have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,729. The income inequality in Wilkes County, NC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$37,173

2017 value

± $2,218

6.68%

1 Year Growth

± 7.36%

Households in Wilkes County, NC have a median annual income of $37,173, which is less than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $34,846 in 2016, which represents a 6.68% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Wilkes County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$59,982

Average Male Salary

± $1,136

$44,729

Average Female Salary

± $812

In 2017, full-time male employees in Wilkes County, NC made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Wilkes County, NC by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $59,267 ± $4,472

  2. White

    $49,962 ± $811

  3. Two or More Races

    $36,539 ± $3,942

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Wilkes County, NC workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.19 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Wilkes County, NC by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

0.471

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.39% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9610.02

  2. Census Tract 9610.01

  3. Census Tract 9608.02

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Wilkes County, NC was Census Tract 9610.02 with a value of $62,585, followed by Census Tract 9610.01 and Census Tract 9608.02, with respective values of $40,245 and $36,620.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 45 - 54

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

20.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wilkes County, NC (14k out of 67.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 6 - 11.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    11,742 ± 801

  2. Hispanic

    1,865 ± 307

  3. Other

    1,015 ± 255

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

28.2k

2017 Value

± 1,280

1.52%

1 Year growth

± 6.27%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Wilkes County, NC grew at a rate of 1.52%, from 27.7k employees to 28.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wilkes County, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,795 people), Production Occupations (3,141 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,686 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wilkes County, NC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Wilkes County, NC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,795 people), Production Occupations (3,141 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,686 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Wilkes County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Material Moving Occupations (1.94 times higher than expected), Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (1.94 times), and Production Occupations (1.92 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Wilkes County, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($64,167), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($62,800), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($58,818).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

28.2k

2017 Value

± 1,280

1.52%

1 Year growth

± 6.27%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Wilkes County, NC grew at a rate of 1.52%, from 27.7k employees to 28.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wilkes County, NC, are Manufacturing (4,879 people), Retail Trade (4,616 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,115 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Wilkes County, NC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (4,879 people), Retail Trade (4,616 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,115 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Wilkes County, NC has an unusually high number of Management of Companies & Enterprises (11.2 times higher than expected), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.86 times), and Manufacturing (1.71 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Wilkes County, NC, by median earnings, are Information ($51,528), Finance & Insurance ($44,282), and Utilities ($39,375).

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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

  1. Mixed freight

    $50.4B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $35.3B

  3. Machinery

    $34.5B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $50.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals with $35.3B and Machinery and $34.5B.

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina state.

$407B

2015 Value

$632B

Projected 2045 Value

55.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound North Carolina trade was $407B. This is expected to increase 55.4% to $632B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. South Carolina

    $25.6B

  2. Georgia

    $25.4B

  3. Virginia

    $25.2B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $25.6B, followed by Georgia with $25.4B and Virginia and $25.2B.

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

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Health

87.7% of the population of Wilkes County, NC has health coverage, with 39.1% on employee plans, 17.7% on Medicaid, 16.1% on Medicare, 13.4% on non-group plans, and 1.34% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Wilkes County, NC 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 2362 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.505% decrease from the previous year (2374 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3125 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 642 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). Additionally, Hertford County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (40.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2362 to 1

Primary Care Physicians

Primary care physicians in Wilkes County, NC see an average of 2362 patients per year. This represents a 0.505% decrease from the previous year (2374 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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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Health Care Coverage

12.3%

Uninsured

39.1%

Employer Coverage

17.7%

Medicaid

16.1%

Medicare

13.4%

Non-Group

1.34%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wilkes County, NC declined by 8.65% from 13.5% to 12.3%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Edgecombe County

    16.2% prevalence

  2. Robeson County

    16.1% prevalence

  3. Hertford County

    16% prevalence

Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina, at 16.2%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Wilkes County, NC is home to a population of 68.5k people, from which 96.6% are citizens. As of 2017, 4.26% of Wilkes County, NC residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Wilkes County, NC is composed of 60.2k White Alone residents (87.9%), 4.2k Hispanic or Latino residents (6.12%), 2.82k Black or African American Alone residents (4.12%), 689 Two or More Races residents (1.01%), 354 Asian Alone residents (0.517%), 193 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.282%), 46 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0671%), and 14 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.0204%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Wilkes County, NC are Spanish or Spanish Creole (3,071 speakers), Arabic (179 speakers), and African Languages (119 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

45

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

39

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.8

In 2017, the median age of all people in Wilkes County, NC was 44.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 45, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 39. But people in Wilkes County, NC are getting staying the same age. In 2016, the average age of all Wilkes County, NC residents was 44.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.26%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

4.13%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 4.26% of Wilkes County, NC residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wilkes County, NC was 4.13%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    242,756 ± 11,950 people

  2. India

    60,392 ± 6,015 people

  3. Honduras

    34,513 ± 4,553 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wilkes County, NC was Mexico, the natal country of 242,756 Wilkes County, NC residents, followed by India with 60,392 and Honduras with 34,513.

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Citizenship

96.6%

2017 Citizenship

96.6%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 96.6% of Wilkes County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Wilkes County, NC was 96.6%, 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.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    60.2k ± 28

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    4.2k ± 697

  3. Black or African American Alone

    2.82k ± 275

In 2017, there were 14.4 times more White Alone residents (60.2k people) in Wilkes County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.2k Hispanic or Latino and 2.82k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Wilkes County, NC as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    3,071 speakers (4.69%)

  2. Arabic

    179 speakers (0.274%)

  3. African Languages

    119 speakers (0.182%)

5.67% of Wilkes County, NC citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Wilkes County, NC was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 4.69% of the overall population of Wilkes County, NC are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 0.274% speak Arabic and 0.182% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    1,843 ± 223

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    522 ± 179

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    401 ± 135

Wilkes County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.53 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Wilkes County, NC awarded 784 degrees. The student population of Wilkes County, NC is skewed towards women, with 1,195 male students and 1,414 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wilkes County, NC are White (702 and 90.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (41 and 5.27%), Two or More Races (15 and 1.93%), and Black or African American (14 and 1.8%).

The largest universities in Wilkes County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wilkes Community College (784 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Wilkes County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (200 and 25.5%), Welding Technology (45 and 5.74%), and Commercial & Advertising Art (45 and 5.74%).

The median tuition costs in Wilkes County, NC are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Liberal Arts & Sciences

    150 degrees awarded

  2. Registered Nursing

    30 degrees awarded

  3. Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities

    28 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Wilkes County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 150 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Wilkes Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

784 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2016, the Wilkes County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wilkes Community College with 784 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

423

Degrees Awarded to Men

361

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 423 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wilkes County, NC, which is 1.17 times more than the 361 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    702 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    41 degrees awarded

  3. Two or More Races

    15 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Wilkes County, NC were to White students. These 702 degrees mean that there were 17.1 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 41 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Wilkes County, NC was $123,700 in 2017, which is 0.568 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $119,100 to $123,700, a 3.86% increase. The homeownership rate in Wilkes County, NC is 74.5%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Wilkes County, NC have an average commute time of 22.7 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Wilkes County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$37,173

Median Household Income

± $2,218

27.8k

Number of Households

± 1,161

In 2017, the median household income of the 27.8k households in Wilkes County, NC grew to $37,173 from the previous year's value of $34,846.

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 $75k - $100k range.

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Housing

Property Value

$123,700

2017 Median

± $4,974

$119,100

2016 Median

± $4,705

In 2017, the median property value in Wilkes County, NC grew to to $123,700 from the previous year's value of $119,100.

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.

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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.

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Rent vs Own

74.5%

2017 Homeownership

74.8%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 74.5% of the housing units in Wilkes County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 74.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Wilkes County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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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 3 cars.

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Commute Time

22.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wilkes County, NC have a shorter commute time (22.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.45% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    84%

  2. Carpooled

    11.9%

  3. Worked At Home

    2.79%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Wilkes County, NC was Drove Alone, followed by those who Carpooled and those who Worked At Home.

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