Editing North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name   = North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
| settlement_type = [[Town]]
| motto           = "Key to the Blue Ridge"

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline = North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 05.jpg
| image_caption = Downtown North Wilkesboro with Town Hall on the Left
| image_flag    = 
| image_seal    = North Wilkesboro, NC Town Seal (new version).png

<!-- Maps -->
| image_map    = NCMap-doton-NorthWilkesboro.PNG
| mapsize      = 250px
| map_caption  = Location of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type     = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name     = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1    = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1    = [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2    = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name2    = [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type      = 
| leader_title         = Mayor
| leader_name          = Mark Hauser
| established_title    = 
| established_date     =

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref        = Imperial
| area_footnotes   = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude   = 
| area_total_km2   = 17.17
| area_land_km2    = 17.17
| area_water_km2   = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi = 6.63
| area_land_sq_mi  = 6.63
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 4382
| population_density_sq_mi = 661.03

<!-- General information -->
| timezone            = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset          = -5
| timezone_DST        = EST
| utc_offset_DST      = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft        = 1155
| coordinates      = {{coord|36|10|22|N|81|08|20|W|region:US-NC|display=inline,title}}
| named_for = [[John Wilkes]]

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code      = 28656, 28659, 28674
| area_code        = [[Area code 336|336/743]]
| blank_name       = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info       = 37-47880<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name      = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info      = 2407009<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2407009}}</ref>
| website          = [https://www.north-wilkesboro.com/ www.north-wilkesboro.com]
| footnotes        = 
|population_density_km2 = 255.24
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
'''North Wilkesboro''' is a town in [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes County]], [[North Carolina]], United States. The population was 4,131 at the [[2020 US Census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncleg.gov/Files/GIS/Base_Data/2021/Reports/PL94_171_2020_PlacePop.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116040715/https://ncleg.gov/Files/GIS/Base_Data/2021/Reports/PL94_171_2020_PlacePop.pdf|archive-date=November 16, 2021|title=2020 Census, North Carolina - Total Population by Municipality|access-date=August 14, 2023}}</ref> North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of [[Lowe's|Lowe's Home Improvement]], which continues to have a major presence in the community. The town is also known as one of the birthplaces of the sport of [[stock-car racing]], and the [[North Wilkesboro Speedway]] was the first [[NASCAR]]-sanctioned track. Due to the town's proximity to the nearby [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] and its numerous tourist venues, North Wilkesboro has been nicknamed the "Key to the Blue Ridge".

==History==
North Wilkesboro was founded in 1891 when the Norfolk and Southern Railroad built a railroad line into Wilkes County. The line ended on the northern bank of the [[Yadkin River]] opposite [[Wilkesboro, North Carolina|Wilkesboro]], the county seat. The town of North Wilkesboro quickly developed around the railroad tracks. North Wilkesboro was home of the Carolina Mirror Company, which for many years was the largest mirror factory in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/ncpi/view/14753 | title=Carolina Mirror Corp. - North Carolina Periodicals Index }}</ref> [[Lowe's Foods]], one of the Southeast's largest supermarket chains, was started in North Wilkesboro in 1954.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lowesfoods.com/about-us/company-history | title=Company History }}</ref> [[Lowe's|Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse]], the nation's second-largest chain of home-improvement stores, was started in North Wilkesboro in 1946.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ncpedia.org/lowes-companies-inc | title=Lowe's Companies, Inc &#124; NCpedia }}</ref> Like many small towns and cities in rural North Carolina, North Wilkesboro has suffered since 2000 from the closing of nearly all of its textile and furniture factories, which have moved to low-wage locations in [[Latin America]] and [[Asia]]. The factories were a major part of the town's economic base.

The [[North Wilkesboro Speedway]], located just outside the city limits, predates the founding of [[NASCAR]]; the speedway held its first race on May 18, 1947<ref>[http://www.savethespeedway.net/may47.html First Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513111041/http://www.savethespeedway.net/may47.html |date=May 13, 2008 }}</ref> and from there it grew in popularity. On October 16, 1949, the Speedway held the 8th and final race of the 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock Division; when the race was over Robert "Red" Byron had become the first NASCAR-sanctioned champion.<ref>[http://www.savethespeedway.net/49wilkes.htm October 16, 1949 - Wilkes 200<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928203344/http://www.savethespeedway.net/49wilkes.htm |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> The North Wilkesboro Speedway held NASCAR races for 50 years; on September 29, 1996 [[Jeff Gordon]] would win the final race to be held at the speedway. In 1995, following the death of the long-time owner and track founder Enoch Staley, the speedway was purchased by two new owners, Bob Bahre and [[Bruton Smith]]. Soon after their purchase, both men announced that they were closing the speedway and moving its two NASCAR race dates to their new tracks in Texas and New Hampshire. The decision met with strong criticism from race fans. From the track's closure in 1996 through 2021 numerous national and regional news media stories discussed the physical decay of the track and grandstands, the rich history of the track, and efforts to renovate and reopen the speedway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2015/3/4/8126311/north-wilkesboro-speedway-after-nascar|title=Ghosts of North Wilkesboro|access-date=August 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524172649/https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2015/3/4/8126311/north-wilkesboro-speedway-after-nascar|url-status=live|archive-date=May 24, 2023}}</ref> In November 2021, the North Carolina state legislature and NC Governor [[Roy Cooper]] gave $18 million to the speedway for extensive repairs and renovations in a major effort to reopen the track for racing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/north-wilkesboro-speedway-to-see-revival-after-securing-18m-in-state-budget/83-5b5be79f-9fe5-4212-bb0b-74a774345117 | title=North Wilkesboro Speedway receives $18 million for revival | date=November 25, 2021 }}</ref> Following the renovations, in August 2022 the speedway held its first races in a decade, drawing a sellout crowd to the CARS Tours Window's World 125.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/motor/nascar/north-wilkesboro-speedway-racing-return-2022/275-2185dbe5-126f-4d2e-a818-2e5647158ca2|title='There's a reverence': Racing makes triumphant return to North Wilkesboro|last1=Lee|first1=Hank|last2=Wallace|first2=Reuben|date=August 12, 2022|publisher=[[WCNC-TV]]}}</ref> In September 2022 it was announced that the 2023 [[NASCAR All-Star Race]] would be held in May 2023 at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, marking the first NASCAR race to be held at the track since its closure in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2022/09/08/north-wilkesboro-to-host-2023-nascar-all-star-race/|title=North Wilkesboro to host 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race|last=Hembree|first=Mike|date=September 8, 2022|publisher=[[NBC Sports]]}}</ref>

The [[Downtown Main Street Historic District (North Wilkesboro, North Carolina)|Downtown Main Street Historic District]], [[Thomas B. Finley House]], [[Southern Railway Depot (North Wilkesboro, North Carolina)|Southern Railway Depot]], and [[Wilkes Hosiery Mills]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Healthcare==
[[File:WRMC.JPG|thumb|alt=Puzzle globe logo|Wilkes Medical Center]]

Wilkes Medical Center, founded in 1951 as Wilkes General Hospital, is located in North Wilkesboro. It is the largest hospital in northwestern North Carolina and is currently the town's largest employer. West Park, formerly a large shopping center built in the 1970s, has recently been transformed into a large medical park with numerous offices for physicians, medical specialists, pharmacies, physical therapists, and other medical and health-related fields.

In 2017, the hospital joined the Wake Forest Baptist Health system. In 2020, Wake Forest Baptist Health was acquired by the Charlotte-based Atrium Health network to form Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

== Local events ==
[[File:NorthWilkesboroBanner.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Puzzle globe logo|Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro Banner]]
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2023}}
The downtown business district of North Wilkesboro became a recognized Main Street Town in 2000. The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership, a non-profit group that has worked to revitalize the downtown business district, led the effort to have the town recognized as a Main Street Town; the group also sponsors other events to attract people to the downtown area.

The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership is also the founder of the annual 'Shine to Wine Festival. Over the past 20 years, numerous local farmers have moved into the winemaking industry and the wine festival gives local wineries and vineyards a chance to display and publicize their wines. The festival also traces the historical development of Wilkes County liquor from [[moonshine]] to wine. The 'Shine to Wine festival is held on the first Saturday in May. Other downtown North Wilkesboro festivals include the Downtown Concert Series and Light Up Downtown.

North Wilkesboro is the home of the annual [[Brushy Mountain Apple Festival]], which is held to celebrate the apple harvest from the nearby [[Brushy Mountains (North Carolina)|Brushy Mountains]]. Crowds of over 160,000 people usually attend the festival, and it is one of the largest single-day arts and crafts fairs in the Southern United States. The festival features music, dancing, artwork, crafts, and food traditional to the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The streets of downtown North Wilkesboro, NC are filled with over 425 arts and crafts, 100 food concessions, and 4 different music stages consisting of Blue Grass, Country, Folk, Gospel, and Appalachian Heritage. Cloggers, folk dancers, rope skippers, and square dancers provide additional entertainment venues for festival goers. Appalachian Heritage crafts such as woodcarving, chair making, soap making, pottery throwing, and quilting are highlighted. Local apple growers set up throughout the festival selling their apples, apple cider, and dried apples.

Light Up Downtown is an annual downtown event focused on the beginning of the Christmas season and the inaugural first day of decorative lights in downtown North Wilkesboro. Santa always makes an appearance to listen to all the children's Christmas wishes. Free pictures are always available to take with Santa. Hayrides are also available to ride around the downtown and enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations. In addition, many food, craft, and merchandise vendors are lined down Main Street. Downtown Retailers are always open late to kick off the Christmas shopping.

== Attractions ==
[[File:Wilkes Art Gallery Front.JPG|thumb|Wilkes Art Gallery]]

The Wilkes Playmakers, an active local theater group, are based in North Wilkesboro; Each year they do 4-5 shows, most shows attracting people from county wide to come see their plays. They also do events year wide.

[[File:Wilkes Art Gallery.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Wilkes Art Gallery Mural Project]]
The Wilkes Art Gallery was founded in 1962 in the parlor of art patron Annie Winkler's home and in 2004 moved into the renovated North Wilkesboro Post Office building located in the heart of downtown North Wilkesboro. The Gallery's {{convert|10000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility includes over {{convert|3500|sqft|m2}} of exhibition space, an education center with a ceramics studio, painting and drawing studios, two multi-purpose classrooms, and a gift shop. {{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

[[File:YRGreenway.jpg|thumb|alt=Puzzle globe logo|Yadkin River Greenway]]
North Wilkesboro recently welcomed the Yadkin River Greenway which was created through the cooperative efforts of citizen volunteers, landowners, and the governments of Wilkes County, North Wilkesboro, Wilkesboro, and the State of North Carolina. The effort began in 1994, and the first phase of the greenway was opened on May 18, 2002. The Yadkin River Greenway Council, a non-profit community organization, provided coordination and leadership. The Greenway is a natural area between urban communities where wildlife, vegetation, and streams are preserved and enjoyed. The Greenway contains biking, jogging, and walking trails which follow the Yadkin River and [[Reddies River]] for several miles between the towns of North Wilkesboro and [[Wilkesboro, North Carolina|Wilkesboro]]. The Yadkin River Greenway offers over {{convert|1.7|mi|km}} of paved trails to form over {{convert|5.1|mi|km}} of current trails with more extensions to come in the near future.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hubbard |first=Jule |date= January 8, 2016|title=Greenway keeps growing |url=http://www.journalpatriot.com/fullstory.asp?id=2470 |url-status=dead |work=Wilkes Journal-Patriot|location=USA |archive-url=http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/greenway-keeps-growing/article_cbaf8a96-b639-11e5-9c9f-7732628804b3.html |archive-date=January 8, 2016|access-date= March 8, 2018}}</ref>

==Education==
===North Wilkesboro Schools===
North Wilkesboro is served by the [[Wilkes County Schools (North Carolina)|Wilkes County Schools]] system. The elementary schools which serve the town are Mulberry Elementary, North Wilkesboro Elementary, and CC Wright Elementary. Middle school students in North Wilkesboro attend Central Wilkes Middle School in the community of [[Moravian Falls]], located south of the town. The town's high school students attend [[Wilkes Central High School]], based in Moravian Falls, [[West Wilkes High School]], based in [[Millers Creek, North Carolina|Millers Creek]], or Wilkes Early College High School, located on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Several private schools also serve the town, most are associated with the larger Protestant churches in the area. [[Wilkes Community College]], located in the neighboring town of [[Wilkesboro, North Carolina|Wilkesboro]], offers college classes to North Wilkesboro's residents.

==Geography==
North Wilkesboro is located along the Yadkin River at the mouth of the Reddies River. North Wilkesboro has long been known as the "Key to the Blue Ridge" and is adjacent to the [[Brushy Mountains (North Carolina)|Brushy Mountains]], [[Stone Mountain State Park]], and the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]]. Located a few miles away, the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir offers its visitors a pristine wilderness to go mountain biking, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking, hunting, and fishing around its {{convert|55|mi|km|adj=on}} shoreline. The Town of North Wilkesboro is located in the heart of Wilkes County, North Carolina in the northwestern corner of the state. Wilkes County is bordered by eight (8) counties. These include the counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, Iredell, Surry, Watauga, and Yadkin; thus making the town conveniently juxtaposed to eight county seats and economic hubs; all within a 45-minute drive from town. The town corporate limits cover approximately 7.5 square miles (~ 4,800 acres) of contiguous property with approximately 300 acres in satellite territories.<ref name="25YearPlan">{{cite web |url=https://www.north-wilkesboro.com/planning/comprehensive/25_Year_Comprehensive_Plan.pdf |title=Town of North Wilkesboro: 25-Year Comprehensive Plan |publisher=Town of North Wilkesboro |others=North Wilkesboro Town Board |date=December 5, 2006 }}</ref> The Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) encompasses roughly {{convert|16|sqmi|km2}} or 10,240 acres. The town is bordered to the south by the Yadkin River and the Town of Wilkesboro. Running through the eastern portion of the town is the Reddies River which flows from North to South and unites with the Yadkin. [[Hoopers Branch]], a tributary to the Reddies River, rises on the north side of North Wilkesboro.

==Transportation==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| [[File:US 421.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 421 in North Carolina|US-421]] || [[File:NC 268.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 268|NC-268]] || [[File:NC 115.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 115|NC-115]] || [[File:NC 18.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 18|NC-18]]
|}

The town serves as the junction point for NC State Highways 18 and 268 and is within one mile (1.6&nbsp;km) to the north of US Highway 421.<ref name="25YearPlan" /> [[Special routes of U.S. Route 421#North Wilkesboro business loop|US 421 Business]], however, passes through the town and allows transportation to the nearby cities of [[Winston-Salem]] and [[Boone, North Carolina|Boone]], home of [[Appalachian State University]]. The town also serves as the northern end of NC Highway 115, which runs south to Charlotte.

===Surrounding transportation===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| [[File:I-77.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 77 in North Carolina|I-77]] || [[File:NC 16.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 16|NC-16]]
|}

North Wilkesboro is approximately 20 minutes west of Interstate 77. Interstate 77 runs North to South, allowing shipping and transportation to travel up and down the east coast. I-77 serves as the nearest major interstate to the county in addition to the town itself. North Wilkesboro is also in close proximity to NC Highway 16 which runs through Wilkesboro.

===Public transportation===

North Wilkesboro and Wilkes County are served by the [[Wilkes Transportation Authority]], known commonly as the WTA. The WTA provides Wilkes with its only scheduled public transportation service as well providing rural communities within the county with transportation by booking in advance.

==Climate==
North Wilkesboro rests in the foothills to the east of the Blue Ridge escarpment; which encompasses the western edge of Wilkes County. The town's position in relation to the abutting mountain system accounts for the mild, yet wet winters and summers. The average annual maximum temperature is 68.7 degrees Fahrenheit with a corresponding minimum annual temperature average of 45.7 degrees.<ref name="25YearPlan" /> Average annual rainfall (49.6 inches) for the town falls just short of the typical average of the Southern Appalachian region (60.0+ inches). As winter clouds approach from the west and migrate across the Blue Ridge, an orographic effect ensues which releases an amount of snow in the Western high country, leaving little for central and eastern Wilkes County as the systems pass over. The result is more of a wintry mix of sleet and frozen rain, hence the 5.9 inches of average total snowfall, but the lack of any snow depth. North Wilkesboro has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') and the [[hardiness zone]] is 7B.
<section begin="weather box" />

{{Weather box 
|location = North Wilkesboro, North Carolina (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1955–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 79
|Feb record high F = 83
|Mar record high F = 88
|Apr record high F = 94
|May record high F = 96
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 96
|Oct record high F = 94
|Nov record high F = 85
|Dec record high F = 81
|year record high F = 102
|Jan high F = 47.9
|Feb high F = 51.8
|Mar high F = 60.0
|Apr high F = 69.4
|May high F = 77.0
|Jun high F = 84.5
|Jul high F = 87.3
|Aug high F = 85.9
|Sep high F = 79.6
|Oct high F = 70.3
|Nov high F = 60.8
|Dec high F = 50.3
|year high F = 68.7
|Jan mean F = 37.4
|Feb mean F = 40.2
|Mar mean F = 47.4
|Apr mean F = 56.9
|May mean F = 65.2
|Jun mean F = 72.9
|Jul mean F = 75.7
|Aug mean F = 74.8
|Sep mean F = 69.1
|Oct mean F = 58.6
|Nov mean F = 48.0
|Dec mean F = 40.7
|year mean F = 57.2
|Jan low F = 26.8
|Feb low F = 29.2
|Mar low F = 35.7
|Apr low F = 43.5
|May low F = 52.7
|Jun low F = 62.1
|Jul low F = 65.7
|Aug low F = 64.9
|Sep low F = 57.3
|Oct low F = 45.4
|Nov low F = 36.5
|Dec low F = 28.9
|year low F = 45.8
|Jan record low F = −9
|Feb record low F = −6
|Mar record low F = 2
|Apr record low F = 18
|May record low F = 28
|Jun record low F = 37
|Jul record low F = 44
|Aug record low F = 42
|Sep record low F = 30
|Oct record low F = 16
|Nov record low F = 7
|Dec record low F = -3
|year record low F = -9
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 4
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.7
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.6
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.1
|May precipitation inch = 4.3
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.4
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.6
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.9
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.1
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.5
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.5
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.9
|year precipitation inch = 49.6
|Jan snow inch = 2.2
|Feb snow inch = 2
|Mar snow inch = 0.8
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.0
|Dec snow inch = 0.9
|year snow inch = 5.9
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.3
|Feb precipitation days = 9.7
|Mar precipitation days = 11.5
|Apr precipitation days = 11.2
|May precipitation days = 12.3
|Jun precipitation days = 12.8
|Jul precipitation days = 13.7
|Aug precipitation days = 12.8
|Sep precipitation days = 11.1
|Oct precipitation days = 8.8
|Nov precipitation days = 9.1
|Dec precipitation days = 10.8
|year precipitation days = 134.1
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 1.0
|Feb snow days = 0.7
|Mar snow days = 0.2
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.3
|year snow days = 2.2
| source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 1, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00316256&format=pdf
| title = Station: N Wilkesboro, NC
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 1, 2021}}</ref>
}}<!-- <section end="weather box" /> -->

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1900 = 918
| 1910 = 1902
| 1920 = 2363
| 1930 = 3668
| 1940 = 4478
| 1950 = 4379
| 1960 = 4197
| 1970 = 3357
| 1980 = 3275
| 1990 = 3384
| 2000 = 4116
| 2010 = 4245
| 2020 = 4131
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 4280
| estref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-37.xlsx |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in North Carolina: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=April 19, 2024}}</ref>
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

-

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+North Wilkesboro racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3747880&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 63.9%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 14.1%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 0.07%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 0.4%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 2.7%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 20.8%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 4,131 people, 1,862 households, and 962 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|622.08|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.93.

The average median household income for the town was $30,114. About 29.3% of residents were at or below the [[poverty line]].

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 4,116 people, 1,639 households, and 942 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|803.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,837 housing units at an average density of {{convert|358.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 74.47% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 17.90% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.36% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.73% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.49% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.25% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.80% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 11.27% of the population.

There were 1,639 households, out of which 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The [[per capita income]] for the town was $14,594. About 21.8% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable people==
* [[Daniel Boone]], famed explorer and pioneer, lived for several years in the area where North Wilkesboro is located before moving west to Kentucky
* [[Robert Byrd]], U.S. Senator from [[West Virginia]] from 1959 to 2010, making him the longest-serving Senator in American history
* [[Dean Combs]], former [[NASCAR]] driver<ref>{{cite web |title=Dean Combs |url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver/Dean_Combs |website=Racing-Reference.info |access-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Zach Galifianakis]], American actor and comedian, was born in North Wilkesboro
* [[Deneen Graham]], first African-American to win the [[Miss North Carolina]] beauty pageant<ref>{{cite web |title=Deneen Zezell Graham-Kerns |url=https://www.wilkescountyhalloffame.org/hall-of-fame/2018-inductees/deneen-zezell-graham-kerns |website=Wilkes County Hall of Fame |access-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Gladys Gunzer]], noted American medalist and [[Sculpture|sculptor]]
* [[Jimmy Pardue]], former [[NASCAR]] driver
* [[Harry Pearson (audio critic)|Harry Pearson]], journalist, audio reviewer, and publisher who founded ''[[The Absolute Sound]]'' magazine
* [[Shirrel Rhoades]], writer, publisher, film critic, museum president, and former college professor
* [[John Swofford]], commissioner of the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] and younger brother of William Swofford
* [[Oliver (singer)|William Swofford]], singer who scored two ''Billboard'' Top 10 hits in 1969 with "[[Good Morning Starshine]]" and "[[Jean (song)|Jean]]" under his middle name, Oliver

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://www.north-wilkesboro.com/ Town of North Wilkesboro, NC]
* [https://downtownnorthwilkesboro.com/ Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership]

{{Wilkes County, North Carolina}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in Wilkes County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1891]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in North Carolina]]