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{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Wilkes County | state = North Carolina | ex image = Wilkes County Courthouse 1.jpg | ex image cap = Old [[Wilkes County Courthouse (Wilkesboro, North Carolina)|Wilkes County Courthouse]] | seal = Wilkes County Seal.png | founded = April 20, 1778 | named for = [[John Wilkes]] | seat wl = Wilkesboro | largest city wl = North Wilkesboro | city type = community | area_total_sq_mi = 756.33 | area_land_sq_mi = 753.68 | area_water_sq_mi = 2.65 | area percentage = 0.35 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 65969 | pop_est_as_of = 2023 | population_est = 66013 {{increase}} | population_density_sq_mi = 86.38 | coordinates = {{coord|36.21|-81.17|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}} | web = www.wilkescounty.net | district = 5th | time zone = Eastern | motto = "{{lang|la|Imperium Intra Imperio}}" <small>([[Latin]])</small><br />(Empire Within Empire) }} '''Wilkes County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. It is a part of the state's western [[western North Carolina|mountain region]]. The population was 65,969 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts" /> Its [[county seat]] is [[Wilkesboro, North Carolina|Wilkesboro]],<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> and its largest community is [[North Wilkesboro, North Carolina|North Wilkesboro]]. Wilkes County comprises the North Wilkesboro, NC [[North Wilkesboro Micropolitan Area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].<ref>{{cite web|title=North Wilkesboro, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area|url=https://www.census.gov/econ/census07/pdf/maps/nc/metro/31000us35900m.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801040039/http://www.census.gov/econ/census07/pdf/maps/nc/metro/31000us35900m.pdf |archive-date=August 1, 2013 |url-status=live|work=Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Maps|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref> ==History== The county was formed from parts of [[Surry County, North Carolina|Surry County]] and Washington District (now [[Washington County, Tennessee]]) on April 20, 1778, by an act of the [[North Carolina General Assembly of 1778]]. The first session of the county court was held in John Brown's house near what is today Brown's Ford. The act creating the county became effective on February 15, 1778, and the county celebrates its anniversary on February 15. Wilkes County was named for the English political radical [[John Wilkes]], who was [[Lord Mayor of the City of London]] and gave support for the rebels during the American Revolution.<ref>{{cite book|title=Laws of North Carolina by the General Assembly of 1778{{endash}}1779, Chapter 22|page=178|year=1779|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Legislators/Documents/Laws_of_North_Carolina_1778_1779.pdf}}</ref> In 1799, the northern and western parts of Wilkes County became [[Ashe County, North Carolina|Ashe County]]. In 1841, parts of Wilkes County and [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke County]] were combined to form [[Caldwell County, North Carolina|Caldwell County]]. In 1847, another part of Wilkes County was combined with parts of Caldwell County and [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell County]] to become [[Alexander County, North Carolina|Alexander County]]. In 1849, additional parts of Wilkes County and Caldwell County were combined with parts of Ashe County and [[Yancey County, North Carolina|Yancey County]] to form [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga County]]. Numerous boundary adjustments were made thereafter, but none resulted in new counties. ===Moonshine production and the birth of NASCAR=== {{see also|North Wilkesboro Speedway}} Wilkes County was once known as the "[[Moonshine]] Capital of the World", and was a leading producer of illegal homemade liquor. From the 1920s to the 1950s some young Wilkes County males made their living by delivering moonshine to North Carolina's larger towns and cities. Wilkes County natives also used bootleg liquor as a means for barter far beyond the borders of North Carolina. Many Wilkes County distillers ran white liquor as far as [[Detroit]], [[New Jersey]], and [[South Florida]]. Since this often involved outrunning local police and federal agents in auto chases, the county became one of the birthplaces of the sport of [[stock-car racing]]. The [[North Wilkesboro Speedway]] was the first [[NASCAR]] (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing) track; it held its first race on May 18, 1947,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savethespeedway.net/may47.html|title=First Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway|website=savethespeedway|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> and the first NASCAR-sanctioned race on October 16, 1949.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savethespeedway.net/49wilkes.htm|title=49 Wilkes|website=savethespeedway|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> Wilkes County native and resident [[Junior Johnson]] was one of the early superstars of NASCAR, as well as a legendary moonshiner. Johnson was featured by the writer [[Tom Wolfe]] in a 1965 ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' magazine article titled "The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson. Yes!", which gave him national exposure. Wolfe's vivid article was later adapted as the movie ''[[The Last American Hero]]'' (1973), starring [[Jeff Bridges]] and [[Valerie Perrine]]. [[Benny Parsons]] and [[Jimmy Pardue]] were two other notable NASCAR drivers from Wilkes. The North Wilkesboro Speedway was closed following the 1996 NASCAR season. Two new owners, Bob Bahre and [[Bruton Smith]], moved North Wilkesboro's NASCAR races to their tracks in [[Texas Motor Speedway|Texas]] and [[New Hampshire International Speedway|New Hampshire]]. In 2009, Speedway Associates, Inc., obtained a three-year lease and started running races and other events at the speedway. However, in May 2011, the group announced that funding had fallen through and they were ending their lease prematurely.<ref>{{cite news|last=Long|first=Dustin|title=North Wilkesboro closing again|url=http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/north-wilkesboro-closing-again|access-date=December 15, 2011|newspaper=HamptonRoads.com|date=May 9, 2011}}</ref> Following the track's closure in 1996, numerous news media stories and articles were written about the rich history of the speedway, the physical decay of the track and grandstands, and efforts to renovate and save the speedway.<ref name="journalnow.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.journalnow.com/news/columnists/scott_sexton/north-wilkesboro-speedway-eroding-with-passage-of-time/article_d70344fa-2dbf-5fca-8938-d98bfce3ce03.html|title=North Wilkesboro Speedway eroding with passage of time|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davecaldwell/2018/04/05/why-a-beloved-nascar-racetrack-might-not-provide-a-sentimental-journey/#6a683ee553f1|title=A Beloved NASCAR Racetrack might not provide a sentimental Journey|website=forbes.com|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nascar/news/north-wilkesboro-speedway-cars-3-nascar-track-disney-pixar/17q9v7w7lwp3p1uqr53bsypnsa|website=Sportingnews.com|title=North Wilkesboro Speedway Cars|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2015/3/4/8126311/north-wilkesboro-speedway-after-nascar|title=North Wilkesboro Speedway after NASCAR|website=sbnation.com|date=March 4, 2015 }}</ref> In November 2021, the North Carolina state legislature and North Carolina Governor [[Roy Cooper]] approved giving $18 million to the North Wilkesboro Speedway for extensive renovations and repairs in an effort to return auto racing to the track.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2021 |title=North Wilkesboro and Rockingham Speedway to receive millions from North Carolina state budget |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nascar/news/north-wilkesboro-and-rockingham-speedway-to-receive-millions-from-north-carolina-state-budget/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> Following the renovation, the Speedway held its first races in a decade in August 2022, drawing a sellout crowd to the CARS Tour's Window World 125.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2022 |title='There's a reverence': Racing makes triumphant return to North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/motor/nascar/north-wilkesboro-speedway-racing-return-2022/275-2185dbe5-126f-4d2e-a818-2e5647158ca2 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=wcnc.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2022 |title=Alex Bowman excited, anxious as he plays his part in finding new crew chief for 2023 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nascar/news/alex-bowman-excited-anxious-as-he-plays-his-part-in-finding-new-crew-chief-for-2023/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> In September 2022 it was announced that the 2023 [[NASCAR All-Star Race]] would be held at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in May 2023, marking the first NASCAR race to be held at the track since 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2022 |title=North Wilkesboro to host 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race |url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2022/09/08/north-wilkesboro-to-host-2023-nascar-all-star-race/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> The All-Star race was held on May 21, 2023, before a sellout crowd at the Speedway, [[Kyle Larson]] won the race.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kyle Larson wins All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/05/21/kyle-larson-wins-2023-all-star-race-at-north-wilkesboro/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=www.nascar.com}}</ref> The [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]] also held a race at the Speedway on May 20, 2023; it was also won by [[Kyle Larson]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2023 |title=North Wilkesboro Truck results: Kyle Larson wins in overtime |url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2023/05/20/north-wilkesboro-truck-results-kyle-larson-wins-in-overtime/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> The 2024 NASCAR All-Star race was also held at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in May 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-20 |title=NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro results: Joey Logano dominates for first win of 2024 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nascar/news/nascar-all-star-race-at-north-wilkesboro-results-joey-logano-dominates-for-first-win-of-2024/live/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> and the 2025 NASCAR All-Star race will be held at the Speedway in May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-17 |title=NASCAR returns to North Wilkesboro for 2025 All-Star Race |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/05/17/nascar-returns-north-wilkesboro-2025-all-star-race/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Official Site Of NASCAR |language=en-US}}</ref> ==Geography== {{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q430328|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Wilkes County}} [[File:W kerr scott dam-kmf.JPG|thumb|right|300px|[[W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir]]]] According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|756.33|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|753.68|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.65|sqmi}} (0.35%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files β North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 10, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Wilkes County is located on the eastern slope of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]], a part of the [[Appalachian Mountains]] chain. The county's elevation ranges from {{convert|900|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} in the east to over {{convert|4,000|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} in the west. The Blue Ridge Mountains run from the southwest to the northeast, and dominate the county's western and northern horizons. [[Tomkins Knob]], the highest point in the county, rises to {{convert|4,079|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wilkes County|url=http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/county/wilkes_county.html|publisher=North Carolina Geological Survey|access-date=September 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tompkins Knob Topo Map in Wilkes County NC |url=https://www.topozone.com/north-carolina/wilkes-nc/summit/tomkins-knob/ |website=Topozone |publisher=Locality, LLC |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge on the county's northern and western borders. The foothills and valleys of the Blue Ridge form most of the county's midsection, with some elevations exceeding {{convert|2,000|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}. [[Stone Mountain State Park]], located in the foothills of northern Wilkes County, is one of the most popular state parks in North Carolina, and is noted for its excellent [[rock climbing]] and [[trout]] fishing. The [[Brushy Mountains (North Carolina)|Brushy Mountains]], an isolated spur of the Blue Ridge, form the county's southern border. Wilkes County's terrain gradually becomes more level and less hilly as one moves to the east; the far eastern section of the county lies within the [[Piedmont Triad|Piedmont]] region of North Carolina. The largest river in Wilkes is the [[Yadkin River]], which flows through the central part of the county. The county's three other major streams, all of which flow into the Yadkin, are the [[Reddies River]], [[Roaring River (North Carolina)|Roaring River]], and Mulberry Creek. Following the devastating floods of 1916 and 1940, the US Army's Corps of Engineers constructed the [[W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir]] on the Yadkin River four miles west of Wilkesboro. Opened in 1962, the dam created a lake with a shoreline of 56 miles. The lake is used for boating, swimming, fishing, and [[waterskiing]]; it is especially noted for its excellent [[bass fishing]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Marsh|first=Mike|title=Fishing North Carolina|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KKOkGSDuda4C&pg=PA78|year=2011|publisher=John F. Blair, Publisher|isbn=978-0-89587-397-2|page=78}}</ref> The W. Kerr Scott lake is the largest body of water in Wilkes. ===Climate=== Due to its wide range of elevation, Wilkes County's climate varies considerably. In winter, it is not unusual for it to be sunny with the temperature in the forties in the county's eastern section, while at the same time it is snowing or sleeting with the temperature below freezing in the county's mountainous north, west, and south. Generally speaking, Wilkes receives ample amounts of precipitation, with frequent [[thunderstorms]] in the spring and summer months; and rain, snow, [[Rain and snow mixed|sleet]], and [[freezing rain]] all occur at times during the winter, with the frequency increasing with the altitude. Wilkesboro, the [[county seat]], receives an average of 50 inches of rain per year and an average of 10 inches of snow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weather averages Wilkesboro, North Carolina |url=https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/wilkesboro/north-carolina/united-states/usnc1137 |access-date=March 11, 2023 |website=www.usclimatedata.com |language=en}}</ref> Severe weather is not common in Wilkes but does occur. Tornadoes are rare, but severe thunderstorms can bring strong winds which can down trees and power lines, as well as cause [[hail]]. On October 23, 2017, a rare [[EF 1]] tornado touched down in the community of Moravian Falls, before moving into the towns of Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro, and then through the Mulberry, Fairplains, and Hays communities, causing significant damage.<ref>{{cite news |title=NWS confirms that tornado hit parts of Wilkes Monday evening |url=https://www.journalpatriot.com/news/nws-confirms-that-tornado-hit-parts-of-wilkes-monday-evening/article_7a7e9a32-b938-11e7-a5a1-7301c64da0e3.html |access-date=April 24, 2020 |work=The Wilkes Journal-Patriot |date=October 24, 2017}}</ref> Wilkes County is far enough inland that [[hurricanes]] rarely cause problems, but a strong hurricane which moves inland quickly enough may cause damage, as with [[Hurricane Hugo]] in 1989 and [[Hurricane Helene]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sowers |first=Serra |date=2024-09-30 |title=Wilkes Co. Helene clean up efforts bring community together |url=https://www.wxii12.com/article/wilkes-co-north-carolina-small-businesses-clean-up-hurricane-helene-mess/62454268 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=WXII |language=en}}</ref> Due to the numerous creeks and streams which run through its valleys, Wilkes is especially prone to devastating [[flash floods]]. The two most memorable floods occurred in 1916 and 1940, killing a number of residents and causing millions of dollars in damages. After the opening of the W. Kerr Scott Dam in 1962, the Yadkin River did not flood again in Wilkes County until heavy rainfalls from Hurricane Helene led to flooding in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tropical Storm Helene reaches North Carolina, Yadkin River overflows |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/videos/news/2024/09/27/tropical-storm-helene-overflows-yadkin-river-in-north-carolina/75414960007/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=The Asheville Citizen Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Although Wilkes County has never had a severe earthquake, a [[Fault (geology)|fault]] runs through the [[Brushy Mountains (North Carolina)|Brushy Mountains]], and mild earth [[Earthquake|tremors]] are not uncommon. On August 31, 1861, an earthquake estimated at 5.0 on the [[Richter magnitude scale]] hit the southern part of the county and caused minor damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wncvitalityindex.org/geology/faults-and-earthquakes|title=Faults and Earthquakes {{!}} Western North Carolina Vitality Index|website=www.wncvitalityindex.org|language=en|access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref> ===National protected areas=== * [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] (part) * [[Doughton Park|Doughton Recreation Area]] (part) * [[E.B. Jeffress Park]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=E.B. Jeffress Park, Blue Ridge Parkway |url=https://carolinaoutdoorsguide.com/jeffress-park-blue-ridge-parkway/ |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=carolinaoutdoorsguide.com}}</ref> ===State and local protected areas=== * [[Buffalo Cove Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands">{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref> * [[Kerr Scott Game Land]]<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/> * [[Rendezvous Mountain State Forest Game Land]]<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/> * [[Rendezvous Mountain State Park]] * [[Stone Mountain State Park]] (part) * [[Thurmond Chatham Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/> ===Major water bodies=== {{div col}} * [[Big Sandy Creek (North Carolina)|Big Sandy Creek]] * [[Big Warrior Creek (North Carolina)|Big Warrior Creek]] * [[Brier Creek (North Carolina)|Brier Creek]] * [[Coal Creek (North Carolina)|Coal Creek]] * [[Cub Creek (North Carolina)|Cub Creek]] * [[Dugger Creek (North Carolina)|Dugger Creek]] * [[Roaring River (North Carolina)|East Prong Roaring River]] * [[Elk Creek (North Carolina)|Elk Creek]] * [[Elkin Creek]] * [[Fall Creek (North Carolina)|Fall Creek]] * [[Fishing Creek (North Carolina)|Fishing Creek]] * [[Grassy Fork (Elkin Creek tributary)|Grassy Fork]] * [[Hunting Creek (North Carolina)|Hunting Creek]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=South Yadkin River |url=https://www.deq.nc.gov/water-quality/planning/bpu/catawba/catawba-plans/2010-plan/3-03040102-south-yadkin-river-2010/download |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=www.deq.nc.gov |page=2}}</ref> * [[Little Dugger Creek (North Carolina)|Little Dugger Creek]] * [[Little Elkin Creek]] * [[Little Hunting Creek (North Carolina)|Little Hunting Creek]] * [[Lousy Creek (Reddies River tributary)|Lousy Creek]] * [[Mulberry Creek (North Carolina)|Mulberry Creek]] * [[Osborn Creek (North Carolina)|Osborn Creek]] * [[Reddies River|North Fork Reddies River]] * [[North Little Hunting Creek (North Carolina)|North Little Hunting Creek]]<ref name=":0"/> * [[Reddies River]] * [[Roaring River (North Carolina)|Roaring River]] * [[Sandy Creek (North Carolina Creek)|Sandy Creek]] * [[Reddies River|South Fork Reddies River]] * [[W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir]] * [[Yadkin River]] * [[Yates Creek (North Carolina)|Yates Creek]] {{div col end}} ===Adjacent counties=== {{div col}} * [[Alexander County, North Carolina|Alexander County]] β south * [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany County]] β north * [[Ashe County, North Carolina|Ashe County]] β northwest * [[Caldwell County, North Carolina|Caldwell County]] β southwest * [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell County]] β southeast * [[Surry County, North Carolina|Surry County]] β northeast * [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga County]] β west * [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin County]] β east {{div col end}} ===Major highways=== * {{Jct|state=NC|US|21}} * {{Jct|state=NC|US|421}} * {{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|421|dab1=North Wilkesboro}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|16}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|18}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|115}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|268}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|268A|dab1=North Wilkesboro}} ([[North Carolina Highway 268#North Wilkesboro alternate route|alternative route]]) * {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|268|dab1=Elkin}} Wilkes County is home to several NC and US highways, as well as an airport and public transportation. Wilkes is also one of 27 North Carolina counties in which the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] runs through. ===Major infrastructure=== * [[North Wilkesboro Speedway]], famous speedway in Wilkes County * [[Wilkes County Airport]] * [[Wilkes Transportation Authority]], serves Wilkes County with buses and vans along a scheduled route and rural service ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1790= 8157 |1800= 7247 |1810= 9054 |1820= 9967 |1830= 11968 |1840= 12577 |1850= 12099 |1860= 14749 |1870= 15539 |1880= 19181 |1890= 22675 |1900= 26872 |1910= 30282 |1920= 32644 |1930= 36162 |1940= 43003 |1950= 45243 |1960= 45269 |1970= 49524 |1980= 58657 |1990= 59393 |2000= 65352 |2010= 69340 |2020= 65969 |estyear=2023 |estimate=66013 |estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref><br />1790β1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> 1900β1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref><br />1990β2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37193.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2013}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wilkescountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Wilkes County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref> }} ===2020 census=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" |+Wilkes County racial composition<ref>{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37193&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> !scope="col"| Race !scope="col"| Number !scope="col"| Percentage |- !scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic) | 56,316 | 85.37% |- !scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic) | 2,580 | 3.91% |- !scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] | 86 | 0.13% |- !scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] | 324 | 0.49% |- !scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] | 5 | 0.01% |- !scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] | 2,004 | 3.04% |- !scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] | 4,654 | 7.05% |} As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 65,969 people, 28,376 households, and 17,409 families residing in the county. ===2010 census=== At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<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> there were 69,340 people, 28,360 households, and 19,683 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|91.91|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 33,065 housing units at an average density of {{convert|43.84|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 90.60% White or European American, 4.08% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Of all races, 5.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino. There were 28,360 households, out of which 26.76% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.03% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. Of all households, 26.69% were made up of individuals, and 11.59% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population breakdown by age is: 22.41% under the age of 18, 7.16% from 18 to 24, 23.96% from 25 to 44, 29.49% from 45 to 64, and 16.99% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females there were 97.69 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.42 males. The median income for a household in the county was $30,668, and the median income for a family was $39,670. Males had a median income of $30,917 versus $26,182 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,319. About 17.60% of families and 21.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.60% of those under age 18 and 13.40% of those age 65 or over. ===Religion=== Since colonial times Wilkes County has been overwhelmingly [[Protestant]] Christian. The two earliest churches to be established in Wilkes were the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopalian]] and [[Presbyterian]]. However, by the 1850s the [[Southern Baptists]] had eclipsed them, and the Baptists have remained the dominant church in Wilkes.<ref name="thearda.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/c/37/rcms2010_37193_county_name_2010.asp|title=The Association of Religion Data Archives {{!}} Maps & Reports|website=www.thearda.com|access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref> The county also contains a significant number of [[Methodist]], Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and non-denominational [[Evangelical Protestant]] congregations.<ref name="thearda.com"/> Historically, few [[Roman Catholics]] lived in Wilkes, but recent immigration from other U.S. States and especially by people of [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] descent has increased their numbers. Wilkes County has a single Catholic parish, Saint John Baptist de LaSalle Catholic Church in North Wilkesboro, which serves all the Catholics of Wilkes County.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/c/37/rcms2010_37193_county_name_1980_ON.asp|title=The Association of Religion Data Archives {{!}} Maps & Reports|website=www.thearda.com|access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref> In contrast, relatively few [[Jews]] or members of other non-Christian faiths have settled in the county.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> ==Government and politics== {{PresHead|place=Wilkes County, North Carolina|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|2024|Republican|28,812|7,194|314|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|27,592|7,511|363|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|23,752|6,638|906|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|20,515|8,148|482|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|20,288|8,934|502|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|19,197|7,862|95|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|16,826|7,226|271|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|12,395|6,793|2,040|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|12,547|7,991|3,330|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|15,231|7,230|53|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|18,670|6,852|42|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|14,462|8,184|403|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|11,768|10,176|80|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|13,015|4,634|255|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|11,195|4,497|2,876|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|11,014|9,176|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|13,016|7,986|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|11,544|5,870|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|11,446|7,143|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|8,234|5,784|382|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|9,121|5,587|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|8,446|7,299|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1936|Republican|8,358|6,506|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1932|Republican|6,522|5,598|39|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,808|2,802|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|6,131|3,586|11|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|6,451|2,843|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1916|Republican|3,470|1,632|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1912|Progressive|331|1,636|2,571|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,382|1,559|8|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,470|1,318|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,840|1,704|2|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|2,835|1,801|6|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1892|Republican|1,895|1,770|145|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1888|Republican|2,292|1,691|16|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1884|Republican|2,028|1,341|0|North Carolina}} {{PresFoot|1880|Republican|1,583|1,510|0|North Carolina}} Since the [[American Civil War]], Wilkes County has been heavily Republican, owing to its strong [[Southern Unionist|Unionist]] sentiment during the war,<ref>Nash, Steven E.; ''Reconstruction's Ragged Edge: The Politics of Postwar Life in the Southern Mountains'' pp. 22, 64 {{ISBN|146962625X}}</ref> which partly stemmed from its rocky and infertile soil unsuited for plantation farming.<ref>Auman, William T.; ''Civil War in the North Carolina Quaker Belt: The Confederate Campaign Against Peace Agitators, Deserters and Draft Dodgers'', p. 30 {{ISBN|078647663X}}</ref> The last Democratic presidential candidate to carry Wilkes County was [[Andrew Jackson]] in 1832. The [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig Party]] dominated politics in the county from 1836 until its dissolution in the middle 1850s. Since the formation of the Republican Party in 1854, Wilkes County has voted Republican in every election bar three: in 1856 it voted for [[Know-Nothing party|"Know-Nothing"]] [[Millard Fillmore]], in 1860 for [[Constitutional Union Party (United States)|Constitutional Unionist]] [[John Bell (Tennessee politician)|John Bell]], and in 1912 for Progressive [[Theodore Roosevelt]]. The primary governing body of Wilkes County follows a [[councilβmanager government]] format with a five-member [[board of commissioners]] and [[County executive|county manager]]. The current county manager is John Yates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Administration |url=https://wilkescounty.net/149/Administration |access-date=April 14, 2024 |website=wilkescounty.net}}</ref> As of 2024, the current commissioners are: Casey Joe Johnson (chairman), Bill Sexton (vice chairman), Giddeon Keith Elmore, Stoney Greene, and Greg Minton.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Commissioners |url=https://wilkescounty.net/221/Board-of-Commissioners |access-date=April 14, 2024 |website=wilkescounty.net}}</ref> Wilkes County is a member of the regional [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|High Country Council of Governments]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|url=http://www.regiond.org/membership.html|work=RegionD.org|publisher=High Country Council of Governments|access-date=October 27, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927095920/http://www.regiond.org/membership.html|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> In the [[North Carolina General Assembly]], Wilkes is represented by [[Eddie Settle]] in [[North Carolina Senate]]'s [[North Carolina's 36th Senate district|36th district]], and by [[Sarah Stevens (politician)|Sarah Stevens]] in the [[North Carolina's 90th House district|90th district]] and [[Jeffrey Elmore|Jeffery Elmore]] in the [[North Carolina's 94th House district|94th district]] of the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite web |title=DRA 2020 |url=https://davesredistricting.org/maps |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=Daves Redistricting}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NC House District 90 - North Carolina General Assembly |url=https://ncleg.gov/DistrictMap/H/592 |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=ncleg.gov}}</ref> In the [[United States Senate|US Senate]], the county is represented by [[Ted Budd]] and [[Thom Tillis]]. Wilkes is entirely in [[North Carolina's 5th congressional district]] of the [[United States House of Representatives]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Rucho-Lewis Congress 3 (adopted redistricting plan)|url=http://www.ncleg.net/gis/randr07/District_Plans/PlanPage_DB_2011.asp?Plan=Rucho-Lewis_Congress_3&Body=Congress|work=NCGA website|publisher=NC General Assembly|access-date=October 27, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102063230/http://www.ncleg.net/gis/randr07/District_Plans/PlanPage_DB_2011.asp?Plan=Rucho-Lewis_Congress_3&Body=Congress|archive-date=November 2, 2011}}</ref> represented by [[Virginia Foxx]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Directory of Representatives|url=http://www.house.gov/representatives/#state_nc|work=U.S. House website|publisher=United States House of Representatives|access-date=October 27, 2011}}</ref> Wilkes County's economic struggles since 2000, and the county's strong support for [[Donald Trump]] in the 2016 presidential election and after, has led to Wilkes being prominently featured in numerous stories and articles by national news media outlets such as ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[NBC News]]'', ''[[PBS NewsHour]]'', ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'', and ''[[MSNBC]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fausset |first1=Richard |title=Feeling Let Down and Left Behind, With Little Hope for Better |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/us/feeling-let-down-and-left-behind-with-little-hope-for-better.html |access-date=April 24, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=May 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525100031/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/us/feeling-let-down-and-left-behind-with-little-hope-for-better.html |archive-date=May 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/two-counties-defining-battle-lines-gop-s-civil-war-n812516|title=Two counties, two factions on the front lines of the GOP civil war|work=NBC News|access-date=March 18, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-11-10/a-lesson-from-donald-trumps-america|title=Working-class voters listened to Trump because Clinton and the Democratic Party didn't speak to them|last=Cooper|first=Michael Jr.|date=November 10, 2016|work=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111005829/http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-11-10/a-lesson-from-donald-trumps-america|archive-date=November 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/rural-north-carolina-voters-say-struggles-ignored|title=What people living in poverty want the presidential candidates to know|website=PBS NewsHour|date=October 20, 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/north-carolina-town-weighs-its-2016-options-784187459630|title=North Carolina town weighs its 2016 options|work=NBC News|access-date=March 18, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, Wilkes County failed to give at least 20% to the Democratic candidate for the first time in history. ==Economy== Despite its rural character and relatively small population, Wilkes County has been the birthplace of numerous large industries. [[Lowe's]], the second-largest chain of home-improvement stores in the nation (after [[Home Depot|The Home Depot]]) was started in Wilkes County in 1946. Until 2003, Lowe's had its corporate headquarters in Wilkes County, but the company has since relocated most of its corporate functions to [[Mooresville, North Carolina]], a fast-growing suburb of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]. However, Lowe's large office in Wilkesboro still houses many corporate departments, and Lowe's remains the county's second-largest employer.<ref name="wilkesedc.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wilkesedc.com/business-data/largest-employers/|title=Largest Employers {{!}} Wilkes Economic Development Corporation|website=www.wilkesedc.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref> A telecommunications firm, Carolina West Wireless, was started in Wilkesboro in 1991 and is also headquartered in the county. Other industries which started in Wilkes County are [[Lowes Foods]] (now headquartered in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]]) and The Northwestern Bank, which was once North Carolina's fourth-largest banking chain until it was merged with [[First Union]] Bank in 1986. The Carolina Mirror Company in North Wilkesboro, founded in the 1930s, was for many years the largest mirror factory in America. Today Gardner Glass Products Inc. still produces mirrors in North Wilkesboro. Holly Farms, in Wilkesboro, was the largest poultry producer in the Southeastern United States until it was bought by [[Tyson Foods]] in 1989. Wilkes County remains one of the largest producers of poultry in the Eastern United States, and many of the county's farmers are poultry farmers for Tyson Foods. Tyson is the largest employer in Wilkes.<ref name="wilkesedc.com"/> Like many rural areas in North Carolina, Wilkes County has suffered since 2000 from the closing of nearly all of its textile and furniture factories, which formed a major part of its economic base.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/us/feeling-let-down-and-left-behind-with-little-hope-for-better.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525100031/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/us/feeling-let-down-and-left-behind-with-little-hope-for-better.html | archive-date=May 25, 2016 | title=Feeling Let Down and Left Behind, with Little Hope for Better | newspaper=The New York Times | date=May 25, 2016 | last1=Fausset | first1=Richard }}</ref> Most of these factories have moved to low-wage locations in Latin America and Asia, especially China and Vietnam. According to ''Stateline'', the number of Wilkes County residents employed in manufacturing dropped from 8,548 in 2000 to approximately 4,000 as of 2015, a reduction of over 53%.<ref name="pewtrusts.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/01/22/fewer-manufacturing-jobs-housing-bust-haunt-many-us-counties|title=Fewer Manufacturing Jobs, Housing Bust Haunt Many U.S. Counties|website=www.pewtrusts.org|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref> From 2000 to 2014, the median household income in Wilkes declined by over 30%.<ref name="pewtrusts.org"/> However, from 2014 to 2017 the median household income increased by nearly 22%, and in 2017 Wilkes was ranked 47th out of 100 counties for "economic distress" by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/median-income-up/article_933707c4-e4c3-11e7-9cf5-87ac58320dea.html|title=State's tier report shows improvements in Wilkes: Median income up|last=Hubbard|first=Jule|date=December 19, 2017|work=journalpatriot|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref> ===Wine region=== Wilkes County is part of the [[Yadkin Valley AVA]], an [[American Viticultural Area]]. Wines made from grapes grown in Wilkes County may use the [[appellation]] Yadkin Valley on their labels. With the decline of tobacco farming, some Wilkes County farmers have switched to wine-making, and have hired experts from Europe and California for assistance. As a result, wine-making is growing in popularity in both Wilkes and surrounding counties. In May of each year, Wilkes county celebrates the new wine industry with the ''Shine to Wine Festival'', held in downtown North Wilkesboro. ==Education== The [[Wilkes County Schools (North Carolina)|Wilkes County Schools]] system has 22 schools ranging from [[pre-kindergarten]] to [[twelfth grade]], including an [[early college high school]]. Those 22 schools are separated into 5 [[High school (North America)|high schools]], 4 [[Middle school#Canada and the United States|middle schools]] and 13 [[Elementary school#United States|elementary schools]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Schools|url=http://www.wilkes.k12.nc.us/schools.html|publisher=Wilkes County Schools|access-date=April 28, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429072600/http://www.wilkes.k12.nc.us/schools.html|archive-date=April 29, 2012}}</ref> There is only one charter school in Wilkes County: Bridges Charter School in [[State Road, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wilkes County|url=http://www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/schools/counties/county?countyName=Wilkes|work=Office of Charter Schools website|publisher=North Carolina Department of Public Instruction|access-date=April 28, 2012}}</ref> The [[Elkin City Schools]] district also covers parts of Wilkes. Wilkes County has three private schools, all three are associated with one of the larger [[Protestant Christian]] churches in the county.<ref name="journalpatriot.com">{{Cite news|url=http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/home-schooling-grows-as-public-schools-see-decrease/article_cbfd6090-7640-11e7-ae39-93d24756c130.html|title=Home schooling grows as public schools see decrease|last=Hubbard|first=Jule|date=August 1, 2017|work=journalpatriot|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref> The largest private school in Wilkes is [[Millers Creek Christian School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.privateschoolreview.com/north-carolina/wilkes-county|title=Wilkes County, NC Private Schools {{!}} PrivateSchoolReview.com|website=www.privateschoolreview.com|language=en|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref> In recent years, the number of students being [[Homeschooling|home schooled]] in Wilkes has steadily increased, while public school enrollment has decreased.<ref name="journalpatriot.com"/> The only college in Wilkes is [[Wilkes Community College]] (WCC), a public [[two-year college]] within the [[North Carolina Community College System]]. Wilkes County is served by the Appalachian Regional Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arlibrary.org | title=Homepage | publisher=Appalachian Regional Library | access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> ==Media== Wilkes County has two local newspapers: * ''[[Wilkes Journal-Patriot]]'' β Founded in 1906, the ''Journal-Patriot'' is published one time per week. * ''The Record of Wilkes'' β Published once per week on the internet, it usually focuses on the local arts scene in Wilkes. The county has three radio stations: * [[WKBC-FM]] (97.3 FM) β [[Adult contemporary]] ([[Hot AC]]) music and flagship station for football and basketball games of nearby [[Appalachian State University]]. * [[WKBC (AM)]] (800 AM) β American [[country music]]. * [[WWWC (AM)]] (1240 AM & 100.1 FM) β [[Southern Gospel]] music and local news and high school sports broadcasts. Most of the county can pick up the Television Stations broadcasting from [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]] Wilkes County is also home to ''GoWilkes.com'', an internet media source that allows residents to discuss current events and local happenings in real time. GoWilkes.com was voted the 2004 Small Business of the Year by the [[North Carolina Chamber of Commerce]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2009 |title=GoWilkes |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/gowilkes/with_replies |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> == Hospitals == [[Wilkes Regional Medical Center|Wilkes Medical Center]] was opened in 1952 as Wilkes General Hospital.<ref name="WRMC">{{cite news |last=Hayes |first=Francis |date=May 2, 2012 |title=New WRMC areas open soon |newspaper=Wilkes Journal-Patriot |url=http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/article_0b3bd498-9484-11e1-8536-001a4bcf6878.html |access-date=May 7, 2012}}</ref> In 2017, [[Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center|Wake Forest Baptist Health]] brought the hospital, at the time known as Wilkes Regional Medical Center, into their system. WMC is the largest hospital in northwestern North Carolina<ref>{{cite web |title=Wilkes Regional Medical Center |url=http://www.north-wilkesboro.com/WRMC/ |access-date=May 7, 2012 |publisher=Town of North Wilkesboro}}</ref> and is Wilkes County's fourth largest employer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wilkes County's Largest Employers |url=http://www.wilkesedc.com/about/largest-employers/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916231239/http://www.wilkesedc.com/about/largest-employers/ |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |access-date=May 7, 2012 |publisher=Wilkes Economic Development Corporation }}</ref> West Park, formerly a large shopping center built in the 1970s, was, starting in 2000, transformed into a large medical park with numerous offices for physicians, medical specialists, pharmacies, physical therapists, and other medical and health-related fields. ==Events and festivals== Wilkes County has strong musical roots, and those roots are displayed at: It hosts the annual ''Shine to Wine Festival'', in downtown North Wilkesboro. Held on the first Saturday of May, the Shine to Wine festival pays tribute to the county's heritage of growing from the Moonshine Capital of the World to what is now recognized as a strong viticultural industry. Wilkes County is also home to the annual [[Brushy Mountain Apple Festival]], which is held in downtown North Wilkesboro the first weekend in October. The festival, which attracts over 160,000 visitors each year, is one of the largest single-day arts and crafts fairs in the Southern United States. Carolina in the Fall is another music festival each September in the Historic Downtown Wilkesboro and is hosted by the Heart of Folk and the Kruger Brothers. The festival and venue won an award at the IBMA and features music, wine and beer garden and food truck competition. It continues to grow in popularity. The Carolina West Wireless Community Commons and Wilkes Communications Pavilion has "Concerts on the Commons," a live music concert series held from May through October annually. {{main|MerleFest}} In 1988 legendary, [[Grammy]]-winning folk music guitarist [[Doc Watson]] and Bill Young started the Doc Watson Festival (later renamed the [[MerleFest]] music festival) in Wilkesboro. Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, and named in honor of Doc's late son Merle Watson, MerleFest has grown into one of the largest folk and bluegrass music festivals in the United States, drawing an average of over 75,000 music fans each year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/relishnow/merlefest/merlefest-sees-bump-in-attendance/article_3aef09b0-ed2f-11e4-8366-db4c85d53b34.html|title=MerleFest sees bump in attendance|last=Journal|first=Lynn Felder/Winston-Salem|work=Winston-Salem Journal|access-date=March 18, 2018|language=en}}</ref> The festival has become the main fundraiser for the college, and brings over $10 million in estimated business and tourist revenues to Wilkes County and surrounding areas each year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/edc-hears-statistics-on-merlefest/article_ad6b910a-a28f-11e5-84fb-a78e02ab632a.html|title=EDC hears statistics on MerleFest|work=journalpatriot|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref> ==Communities== [[File:Map of Wilkes County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Wilkes County with municipal and township labels]] ===Towns=== * [[Elkin, North Carolina|Elkin]] (also in Surry County) * [[North Wilkesboro, North Carolina|North Wilkesboro]] (largest community) * [[Ronda, North Carolina|Ronda]] * [[Wilkesboro, North Carolina|Wilkesboro]] (county seat) ===Census-designated places=== * [[Cricket, North Carolina|Cricket]] * [[Fairplains, North Carolina|Fairplains]] * [[Hays, North Carolina|Hays]] * [[Millers Creek, North Carolina|Millers Creek]] * [[Moravian Falls, North Carolina|Moravian Falls]] * [[Mulberry, Wilkes County, North Carolina|Mulberry]] * [[Pleasant Hill, Wilkes County, North Carolina|Pleasant Hill]] ===Unincorporated communities=== * [[Call, North Carolina|Call]] * [[Clingman, North Carolina|Clingman]] * [[Darby, North Carolina|Darby]] * [[Ferguson, North Carolina|Ferguson]] * [[McGrady, North Carolina|McGrady]] * [[Parsonsville, North Carolina|Parsonsville]] * [[Purlear, North Carolina|Purlear]] * [[Roaring River, North Carolina|Roaring River]] * [[Thurmond, North Carolina|Thurmond]] ===Townships=== {{div col|colwidth=12em}} * Antioch * Beaver Creek * [[Boomer Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina|Boomer]] * Brushy Mountains * Edwards * Elk * Jobs Cabin * Lewis Fork * Lovelace * Moravian Falls * Mulberry * New Castle * North Wilkesboro * Rock Creek * Reddies River * Somers * Stanton * Traphill * Union * Walnut Grove * Wilkesboro {{div col end}} ==Notable people== * [[Bobby Billings]] (born 1975), musician, singer and songwriter * [[Rhoda Bryan Billings]] (1937) law professor and jurist, the second woman to serve as Chief Justice of the [[North Carolina Supreme Court]] * [[Daniel Boone]] (1734β1820), explorer and pioneer, lived in Wilkes County for several years and married a Wilkes County native before moving west to [[Kentucky]]. * [[John Brown (North Carolina politician)|John Brown]] (1738β1812), militia [[captain (land)|captain]] during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], served as one of the [[North Carolina State Treasurer|state Treasurers]] (1782β1784), and served in the [[North Carolina]] [[North Carolina General Assembly|state legislature]] (1784β1787). * [[Chang and Eng Bunker]] (1811β1874), [[Siamese twins]], who were a popular attraction in Asia, Europe, and North America in the nineteenth century, settled in Wilkes County in the 1850s, married two local sisters, and between them fathered 21 children. * [[Robert Byrd]] (1917β2010), [[U.S. Senator]] from West Virginia 1959β2010; longest-serving Senator in American history. * [[Sara Lou Harris Carter|Lady Sarah Lou Harris Carter]] (1923-2019), Pioneering African-American model who also became known as an entertainer, educator and humanitarian. * [[Benjamin Cleveland]] (1738β1806), [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in the North Carolina militia during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. He was one of the American commanders at the [[Battle of Kings Mountain]] in 1780. * [[Dean Combs]] (1952) former [[NASCAR]] driver * [[Tom Dula]] (Dooley) (1844β1868), Confederate veteran who was tried and hanged for the murder of his fiancΓ©e, Laura Foster; subject of the folk ballad "[[Tom Dooley (song)|Tom Dooley]]".<ref name="CB" /> * [[Jeffrey Elmore]] (1978) NC Politician * [[Zach Galifianakis]] (born 1969), actor and comedian. * [[George Allen Gilreath]] (1834β1863), a captain in the [[Confederate Army]] during the [[American Civil War]]; killed while commanding the regiment which advanced the farthest into enemy lines during [[Pickett's Charge]] at the [[Battle of Gettysburg]]. * [[James B. Gordon]] (1822β1864), a general of [[cavalry]] in the [[Confederate Army]] during the [[American Civil War]]. * [[Deneen Graham]] (born 1964), the first black woman to be crowned [[Miss North Carolina]] (1983). * [[Gladys Gunzer]] (1939-2016) noted American medalist and [[Sculpture|sculptor]] * [[Richard N. Hackett]] (1866-1923) [[United States House of Representatives|Congressional Representative]] from 1907 to 1909 * [[Jim Hamby]] (1897-1991), former [[MLB]] player * [[Roger Hamby]] (born 1943), Former NASCAR driver and former team owner * [[Johnson Jay Hayes]], (1886-1970) U.S. federal judge * [[Junior Johnson]] (1931β2019), in the 1950s, Johnson became a legend in the rural South by consistently outrunning law-enforcement officials in auto chases while delivering homemade liquor ([[moonshine]]) to his customers. Johnson then became a champion [[NASCAR]] racer, winning 50 NASCAR races before his retirement and also winning 6 Winston Cup championships as a car owner.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Richard |title=Junior Johnson, Good-Old-Boy Auto Racing Star, Is Dead at 88 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/20/sports/junior-johnson-dead.html |access-date=April 24, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221011013/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/20/sports/junior-johnson-dead.html |archive-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref> * [[Sallie Chapman Gordon Law]] (1805β1894), first recorded Confederate nurse in the Civil War. * [[William Ballard Lenoir]] (1751β1839), the first President of the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]. * [[Jimmy Pardue]] (1930-1964) former [[NASCAR]] driver * [[Benny Parsons]] (1941β2007), NASCAR racer who won the 1973 NASCAR championship. After his retirement, he became a TV racing analyst. * [[Harry Pearson (audio critic)|Harry Pearson]] (1937-2014) journalist, audio reviewer, and publisher who founded The Absolute Sound magazine * [[James Larkin Pearson]] (1879β1981), poet and newspaper publisher who served as [[North Carolina Poet Laureate]] from 1953 to 1981. * [[Shirley B. Randleman|Shirley Randleman]] (1950) NC State Representative and Senator, Also County commissioner. * [[Waylon Reavis]] (born 1978), musician, lead vocalist of [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]] metal band [[Mushroomhead]]. * [[Shirrel Rhoades]] (born 1942), writer, publisher, professor, filmmaker, and the former executive vice president of [[Marvel Entertainment]]. * [[Eddie Settle]], member of the [[North Carolina Senate]] * [[Morgan Shepherd]] (born 1941), NASCAR driver for over fifty years; oldest driver to lead at least one lap in a NASCAR race. He currently owns his own team in the [[NASCAR Xfinity Series]] as the [[Shepherd Racing Ventures]] team * [[Montford Stokes]] (1762β1842), [[United States Senator]], Governor of [[North Carolina]] (1816β1832), appointed by President [[Andrew Jackson]] to lead the Federal Indian Commission in what is now [[Oklahoma]]; he is believed to be the only veteran of the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] buried in that state. * [[John Swofford]] (born 1948), Commissioner of the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) from 1997 to 2021; coordinator of the [[Bowl Championship Series]] (BCS) in college football. * [[William Oliver Swofford]] (1945β2000), pop singer in the 1960s and 1970s (under the name ''[[Oliver (singer)|Oliver]]''), known for his hits ''[[Good Morning Starshine]]'' (featured in the Broadway musical ''[[Hair (musical)|Hair]]'') and ''[[Jean (song)|Jean]]'', the theme song of the Oscar-winning film ''[[The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (film)|The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie]]''. * [[R. Tracy Walker|Tracy Walker]] (1939-2019) NC politician ===Tom Dooley=== Wilkes County native [[Tom Dula]] (Dooley), a Confederate veteran of the American Civil War who was tried and hanged shortly after the war for the murder of his fiancΓ©e, Laura Foster. To this day many people believe that one of Dula's jealous ex-girlfriends murdered Laura Foster, that Dula was innocent of the crime, and that he accepted blame only to protect his former lover.<ref name="CB">{{cite web| url=http://criminalbrief.com/?p=11062| title=Who Killed Laura Foster? |last=Lundin|first=Leigh| date=February 21, 2010| work=Tom Dula| publisher=Criminal Brief}}</ref> The case was given nationwide publicity by newspapers such as ''[[The New York Times]]'' and the ''[[New York Herald]]'', and thus became a folk legend in the rural South. Dula's legend was popularized in 1958 by the top-selling [[Kingston Trio]] song "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley." Dula's story was also turned into a 1959 movie starring [[Michael Landon]] as Dula, and each summer Bleu Moon Productions presents an outdoor drama based on the story. In 2001, Tom Dula was ceremonially acquitted of all charges by the county.<ref name="CB" /> ==See also== * [[List of counties in North Carolina]] * [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilkes County, North Carolina]] * [[Swan Creek AVA]], wine region partially located in the county * [[Yadkin Valley AVA]], wine region partially located in the county ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{osmrelation|2528756}} * {{official website|http://www.wilkescounty.net}} * [http://www.WilkesNC.org Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce] {{Geographic location |Centre = Wilkes County, North Carolina |North = [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany County]] |Northeast = [[Surry County, North Carolina|Surry County]] |East = [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin County]] |Southeast = [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell County]] |South = [[Alexander County, North Carolina|Alexander County]] |Southwest = [[Caldwell County, North Carolina|Caldwell County]] |West = [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga County]] |Northwest = [[Ashe County, North Carolina|Ashe County]] }} {{Wilkes County, North Carolina}} {{North Carolina}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Wilkes County, North Carolina| ]] [[Category:1778 establishments in North Carolina]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1778]]
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