North Wilkesboro ZIP Codes — Wilkes County, NC

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Area code: 336.

ZIP codes

100.63

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

336

area code

North Wilkesboro, NC ZIP code map

About North Wilkesboro, NC

North Wilkesboro, NC, is a charming town situated in the heart of North Carolina, known for its rich history and vibrant community. It serves as a focal point of Wilkes County and offers a unique blend of small-town hospitality and modern amenities. With its picturesque landscapes and engaging local culture, North Wilkesboro attracts visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

North Wilkesboro is located in Wilkes County and is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and scenic landscapes. It is approximately 20 miles northwest of Winston-Salem, 70 miles north of Charlotte, and 75 miles southwest of Boone, making it accessible to several major cities. The town spans a land area of 100.63 square miles, with a minimal water area of 0.01 square miles, complementing its predominantly land-based terrain.

Community & economy

The character of North Wilkesboro is defined by its friendly residents and a supportive community atmosphere. The town's economy is bolstered by local industries, including manufacturing, retail, and agriculture, reflecting the diverse employment opportunities available. Daily life in North Wilkesboro is marked by community events, local festivals, and gatherings that strengthen the bonds among its citizens.

Transportation

North Wilkesboro is conveniently located near major highways such as US Highway 421 and NC Highway 18, providing easy access for travel and commerce. The nearest airport is Wilkes County Airport, which serves general aviation and private flights, while larger commercial air travel is available at nearby airports in Winston-Salem and Charlotte. Public transportation options are limited, encouraging a primarily car-dependent community.

History

North Wilkesboro was founded in the mid-18th century, with its growth spurred by the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century. Historically, it has been known for the manufacturing and textile industries, which played significant roles in the local economy. A notable event in the town's history is the annual North Wilkesboro Speedway, which has hosted numerous racing events since its establishment, attracting thousands of racing enthusiasts.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about North Wilkesboro is that it held its first NASCAR race in 1949, making it a notable location in the history of American auto racing. Additionally, the town is home to the Wilkes Heritage Museum, which showcases the rich cultural and historical heritage of Wilkes County.

ZIP codes for North Wilkesboro, NC (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28656	North Wilkesboro	Wilkes	View map
28659	North Wilkesboro	Wilkes	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,460

Population

43.5

Median age

$50,351

Median household income

$26,613

Per capita income

$141,100

Median home value

$732

Median monthly rent

65.8%

Home ownership

18.8%

Poverty rate

8.2%

Unemployment

6,612

Housing units

15.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

501

Under 5

487

710

5–9

689

573

10–14

557

649

15–19

630

762

20–24

739

1,111

25–34

1,078

1,397

35–44

1,356

1,618

45–54

1,570

693

55–59

673

661

60–64

641

1,370

65–74

1,330

637

75–84

619

208

85+

201

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,302	20.0%
18 and over	17,158	80.0%
65 and over	4,365	20.3%
Median age	43.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.4%

Two or more races 6.4%

Hispanic or Latino 6.4%

Black or African American 5.2%

Other race 2.2%

Asian 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	18,210	79.4%
Two or more races	1,477	6.4%
Hispanic or Latino	1,465	6.4%
Black or African American	1,186	5.2%
Other race	509	2.2%
Asian	52	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	26	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.6%

$10k–$15k 7.0%

$15k–$25k 9.5%

$25k–$35k 10.8%

$35k–$50k 15.5%

$50k–$75k 21.0%

$75k–$100k 14.1%

$100k–$150k 11.3%

$150k–$200k 2.2%

$200k+ 2.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.6%
$10k–$15k	7.0%
$15k–$25k	9.5%
$25k–$35k	10.8%
$35k–$50k	15.5%
$50k–$75k	21.0%
$75k–$100k	14.1%
$100k–$150k	11.3%
$150k–$200k	2.2%
$200k+	2.2%
Median income	$50,351

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.4%

$50k–$100k 18.0%

$100k–$150k 29.2%

$150k–$200k 15.2%

$200k–$300k 16.2%

$300k–$500k 9.6%

$500k–$1M 3.3%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$141,100
Median rent / month	$732
Owner occupied	65.8%
Renter occupied	34.2%
Vacant	8.3%
Single-family detached	65.9%
Large apartment buildings	2.7%
Mobile homes	20.6%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.43

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.3%
2000–2009	8.8%
1990–1999	12.3%
1980–1989	21.8%
1970–1979	18.3%
1960–1969	12.7%
1950–1959	9.9%
1940–1949	6.3%
1939 or earlier	7.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	7.9%
2 bedrooms	25.0%
3 bedrooms	54.9%
4 bedrooms	9.4%
5+ bedrooms	1.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.0%
1 vehicle	29.5%
2 vehicles	34.5%
3 or more	29.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.3%
Electricity	76.5%
Propane / LP gas	8.3%
Fuel oil	8.9%
Wood	4.2%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,196	47.5%
Cohabiting couple	831	9.4%
Male householder, no spouse	1,409	15.9%
Female householder, no spouse	2,399	27.2%
Households with children under 18	2,341	26.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,104	35.1%
Average household size	2.37

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.6%	21.4%
Married	50.9%	49.5%
Separated	1.8%	3.4%
Widowed	5.8%	11.8%
Divorced	11.9%	13.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.1%

Some HS, no diploma 16.8%

HS graduate 31.5%

Some college, no degree 18.3%

Associate's degree 12.7%

Bachelor's degree 10.8%

Graduate / professional 4.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	78.1%
Bachelor's or higher	15.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	171	4.0%
Kindergarten	213	4.9%
Elementary school	2,036	47.2%
High school	923	21.4%
College / grad school	975	22.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.3%

Retail trade 15.6%

Manufacturing 14.4%

Transportation & utilities 9.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.2%

Construction 6.6%

Professional & management 6.0%

Other services 4.5%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Public administration 2.9%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Agriculture & mining 2.1%

Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.1%
Service	19.1%
Sales & office	19.2%
Natural resources & construction	9.0%
Production & transportation	23.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.5%
Government	13.5%
Self-employed	5.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.6%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.7%
Carpool	9.3%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	1.5%
Other means	0.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.3

Poverty

All people 18.8%

Under 18 years 31.0%

18 and over 15.7%

Married-couple families 4.8%

Female-led households 42.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	45.0%
Retirement income	20.2%
Supplemental Security	9.0%
Cash public assistance	2.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	19.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.1%
High cholesterol	37.9%
Heart disease	8.6%
Stroke	4.4%
Asthma	9.9%
Arthritis	30.4%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	10.5%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.9%
No physical activity	29.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.6%
Fair or poor health	19.5%
Poor mental health	16.0%
Poor physical health	14.0%
No health insurance	21.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.4%
Visited dentist	57.3%
Cholesterol screening	88.1%
Teeth loss	21.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,194	7.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.7%
Under 18	7.1%
18–64 years	20.0%
65 and over	36.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	54.7%
Public insurance	46.3%
Uninsured under 19	1.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	20,472	95.4%
Spanish	402	2.0%
Other Indo-European	402	2.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,450	95.3%
Born in same state	20,340	94.8%
Born in different state	16,581	77.3%
Foreign born	110	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	1,010	4.7%
Not a US citizen	367	36.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	6,393	29.8%
French	2,244	10.5%
Italian	1,520	7.1%
English	116	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	34	0.2%
Polish	29	0.1%
German	26	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.2%
Internet access	90.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does North Wilkesboro, NC have?

North Wilkesboro, NC has two ZIP codes: 28656 and 28659. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.