Wilkesboro ZIP Code List — Wilkes County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Wilkesboro, North Carolina and it is 28697. Area code: 336.

ZIP codes

62.33

sq mi land

1.80

sq mi water

336

area code

Wilkesboro, NC ZIP code map

About Wilkesboro, NC

Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is a charming town located in Wilkes County. Known for its rich history and vibrant community, it has become a desirable place for residents and visitors alike. With a unique blend of natural beauty and Southern hospitality, Wilkesboro offers a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

Location & geography

Wilkesboro is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, providing a picturesque setting that attracts outdoor enthusiasts. The town is conveniently situated approximately 30 miles northwest of Statesville and about 65 miles northeast of Charlotte. Covering a land area of 62.33 square miles and a water area of 1.80 square miles, the town features rolling hills and numerous waterways.

Community & economy

The community in Wilkesboro exhibits a friendly, small-town character, where neighbors often come together for local events. The economy is diversified with industries ranging from agriculture to manufacturing, contributing to the local lifestyle. Daily life in Wilkesboro is enriched by opportunities for recreation, culture, and a strong sense of belonging among its residents.

Transportation

Wilkesboro is accessible via major highways such as US-421 and NC-16, which connect it to nearby regions. The nearest named airport is the Wilkes County Airport, facilitating regional travel. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the predominant mode of transportation.

History

Founded in the 18th century, Wilkesboro played a significant role in the early development of North Carolina's western region. The town has historically been known for its agriculture, particularly in tobacco and apple production, which shaped its growth. Wilkesboro also hosts the annual MerleFest, a renowned music festival that celebrates traditional and contemporary roots music.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Wilkesboro is that it serves as the home of the famous Merle Watson, son of legendary musician Doc Watson. Additionally, it has a historic downtown area that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

ZIP codes for Wilkesboro, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28697	Wilkesboro	Wilkes	View map

Demographics & statistics

13,751

Population

42.1

Median age

$47,340

Median household income

$28,577

Per capita income

$183,800

Median home value

$724

Median monthly rent

65.4%

Home ownership

19.2%

Poverty rate

5.4%

Unemployment

4,394

Housing units

25.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

343

Under 5

398

413

5–9

479

561

10–14

650

432

15–19

500

356

20–24

411

811

25–34

939

629

35–44

728

535

45–54

619

593

55–59

686

367

60–64

425

589

65–74

681

372

75–84

431

372

85+

431

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,381	24.6%
18 and over	10,370	75.4%
65 and over	2,876	20.9%
Median age	42.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.9%

Hispanic or Latino 6.2%

Two or more races 4.5%

Black or African American 4.2%

Other race 3.6%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 1.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	11,713	79.9%
Hispanic or Latino	909	6.2%
Two or more races	665	4.5%
Black or African American	623	4.2%
Other race	534	3.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	197	1.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	19	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.7%

$10k–$15k 6.0%

$15k–$25k 14.6%

$25k–$35k 12.4%

$35k–$50k 13.9%

$50k–$75k 15.5%

$75k–$100k 12.9%

$100k–$150k 13.1%

$150k–$200k 3.8%

$200k+ 3.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.7%
$10k–$15k	6.0%
$15k–$25k	14.6%
$25k–$35k	12.4%
$35k–$50k	13.9%
$50k–$75k	15.5%
$75k–$100k	12.9%
$100k–$150k	13.1%
$150k–$200k	3.8%
$200k+	3.2%
Median income	$47,340

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.2%

$50k–$100k 8.6%

$100k–$150k 15.8%

$150k–$200k 17.8%

$200k–$300k 26.3%

$300k–$500k 11.6%

$500k–$1M 6.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$183,800
Median rent / month	$724
Owner occupied	65.4%
Renter occupied	34.6%
Vacant	10.6%
Single-family detached	67.5%
Large apartment buildings	5.7%
Mobile homes	16.6%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.49

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	10.2%
2000–2009	8.4%
1990–1999	15.4%
1980–1989	13.4%
1970–1979	19.7%
1960–1969	14.6%
1950–1959	10.8%
1940–1949	3.7%
1939 or earlier	3.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.1%
1 bedroom	3.8%
2 bedrooms	31.7%
3 bedrooms	43.0%
4 bedrooms	16.7%
5+ bedrooms	2.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.5%
1 vehicle	35.4%
2 vehicles	34.4%
3 or more	24.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.5%
Electricity	79.0%
Propane / LP gas	9.7%
Fuel oil	7.1%
Wood	1.6%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,475	43.5%
Cohabiting couple	377	6.6%
Male householder, no spouse	763	13.4%
Female householder, no spouse	2,072	36.4%
Households with children under 18	1,843	32.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,020	35.5%
Average household size	2.35

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.7%	20.9%
Married	52.9%	41.1%
Separated	0.8%	5.4%
Widowed	3.5%	20.7%
Divorced	13.1%	11.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.5%

Some HS, no diploma 8.8%

HS graduate 30.6%

Some college, no degree 20.5%

Associate's degree 9.3%

Bachelor's degree 18.6%

Graduate / professional 6.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.7%
Bachelor's or higher	25.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	78	2.5%
Kindergarten	196	6.2%
Elementary school	1,635	52.1%
High school	709	22.6%
College / grad school	522	16.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.1%

Retail trade 16.4%

Manufacturing 14.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.1%

Other services 7.7%

Transportation & utilities 6.9%

Construction 6.0%

Professional & management 6.0%

Public administration 5.4%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Agriculture & mining 1.9%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Information 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.6%
Service	21.4%
Sales & office	20.3%
Natural resources & construction	5.9%
Production & transportation	20.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.0%
Government	13.7%
Self-employed	7.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.3%
Carpool	4.8%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.2

Poverty

All people 19.2%

Under 18 years 31.2%

18 and over 15.2%

Married-couple families 9.3%

Female-led households 32.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.2%
Retirement income	23.4%
Supplemental Security	4.2%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.6%
High cholesterol	38.4%
Heart disease	7.9%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	29.3%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.6%
Cancer	7.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.0%
No physical activity	24.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.8%
Fair or poor health	15.6%
Poor mental health	14.2%
Poor physical health	11.8%
No health insurance	18.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.1%
Visited dentist	64.3%
Cholesterol screening	90.3%
Teeth loss	16.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	844	8.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.8%
Under 18	2.8%
18–64 years	14.7%
65 and over	40.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	59.2%
Public insurance	45.6%
Uninsured under 19	1.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	13,010	94.6%
Spanish	196	1.5%
Other Indo-European	196	1.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	13,331	96.9%
Born in same state	13,176	95.8%
Born in different state	10,295	74.9%
Foreign born	155	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	420	3.1%
Not a US citizen	191	45.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	4,547	33.1%
French	1,808	13.1%
Italian	887	6.5%
English	200	1.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	45	0.3%
Irish	23	0.2%
Norwegian	9	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.4%
Internet access	88.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Wilkesboro, NC?

Wilkesboro, NC has one ZIP code: 28697.

What is the main ZIP code for Wilkesboro, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Wilkesboro, NC is 28697. The city uses area code 336 for phone service.

What county is Wilkesboro, NC in?

Wilkesboro is located in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Wilkesboro, NC?

Wilkesboro, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers the downtown Wilkesboro area and the historic courthouse district?

Downtown Wilkesboro, including the Wilkes County Courthouse area, is located in ZIP code 28697, which serves as the primary postal code for the city.

What is the ZIP code for businesses and residents in the Main Street commercial district of Wilkesboro?

The Main Street commercial district in Wilkesboro uses ZIP code 28697, which encompasses the central business and downtown areas of the city.