Wilkes County, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilkes County
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Old Wilkes County Courthouse
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Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
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 North Carolina's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  North Carolina |
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| Founded | April 20, 1778 | |
| Named for | John Wilkes | |
| Seat | Wilkesboro | |
| Largest community | North Wilkesboro | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 756.33 sq mi (1,958.9 km2) | |
| • Land | 753.68 sq mi (1,952.0 km2) | |
| • Water | 2.65 sq mi (6.9 km2) 0.35% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 65,969 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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66,013 | |
| • Density | 86.38/sq mi (33.35/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 5th | |
Wilkes County is a county in North Carolina, a state in the United States. It is located in the western mountain region of the state. In 2020, about 65,969 people lived here. The main town and county seat is Wilkesboro. The biggest community is North Wilkesboro. Wilkes County is part of the North Wilkesboro Micropolitan Area.
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History of Wilkes County
Wilkes County was created on April 20, 1778. It was formed from parts of Surry County and Washington District. The county was named after John Wilkes, an English politician. He supported the American colonists during the American Revolution.
Over the years, parts of Wilkes County were used to form other counties. In 1799, Ashe County was created from its northern and western parts. Later, parts of Wilkes County helped form Caldwell County (1841), Alexander County (1847), and Watauga County (1849).
How Car Racing Began in Wilkes County
Wilkes County was once famous for making homemade spirits. From the 1920s to the 1950s, some young men earned money by delivering these spirits. They often had to outrun police cars and federal agents. This need for fast cars and skilled drivers helped create the sport of stock-car racing.
The North Wilkesboro Speedway was one of the first tracks for NASCAR. NASCAR stands for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. The first race there was on May 18, 1947. The first NASCAR-approved race happened on October 16, 1949.
Junior Johnson was a famous NASCAR driver from Wilkes County. He was also known for his driving skills when delivering spirits. A writer named Tom Wolfe wrote about Junior Johnson in a magazine article in 1965. This article made Johnson famous across the country. Later, a movie called The Last American Hero (1973) was made about him. Other famous NASCAR drivers from Wilkes County include Benny Parsons and Jimmy Pardue.
The North Wilkesboro Speedway closed after the 1996 NASCAR season. Its races moved to other tracks. But in 2021, North Carolina approved $18 million to fix up the speedway. This was done to bring auto racing back. In August 2022, races returned to the track. In May 2023, the NASCAR All-Star Race was held there for the first time since 1996. Kyle Larson won this race. The Speedway also hosted the All-Star race in May 2024 and will host it again in May 2025.
Geography of Wilkes County
Wilkes County covers about 756 square miles. Most of this area, about 753 square miles, is land. The rest, about 2.65 square miles, is water.
The county is on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These mountains are part of the larger Appalachian Mountains. The land in Wilkes County goes from about 900 feet high in the east to over 4,000 feet high in the west. The Blue Ridge Mountains are visible to the west and north. Tomkins Knob is the highest point, at 4,079 feet. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the mountains on the county's northern and western edges.
The middle part of the county has foothills and valleys. Some areas are over 2,000 feet high. Stone Mountain State Park is in the northern part of the county. It is known for rock climbing and trout fishing. The Brushy Mountains form the county's southern border. As you go east, the land becomes flatter. The eastern part of the county is in the Piedmont region.
The biggest river in Wilkes County is the Yadkin River. It flows through the middle of the county. Other important streams are the Reddies River, Roaring River, and Mulberry Creek. After big floods in 1916 and 1940, the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir was built on the Yadkin River. It opened in 1962 and created a lake with 56 miles of shoreline. This lake is great for boating, swimming, fishing, and waterskiing. It is especially known for bass fishing. The W. Kerr Scott lake is the largest body of water in Wilkes County.
Climate in Wilkes County
Wilkes County has different climates because of its varied elevations. In winter, it can be sunny and mild in the east. At the same time, it might be snowing or sleeting in the higher, colder parts of the county. Wilkes County usually gets a lot of rain. There are often thunderstorms in spring and summer. In winter, rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain can happen. More snow falls in higher areas.
Wilkesboro, the main town, gets about 50 inches of rain and 10 inches of snow each year. Strong storms are not common but can happen. Tornadoes are rare. However, severe thunderstorms can bring strong winds and hail. In October 2017, a rare tornado caused damage in several communities. Hurricanes usually do not cause problems because the county is far inland. But strong hurricanes, like Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Helene in 2024, can cause damage.
Wilkes County can have serious flash floods because of its many creeks and streams. Major floods happened in 1916 and 1940, causing deaths and much damage. After the W. Kerr Scott Dam opened in 1962, the Yadkin River did not flood again until Hurricane Helene in 2024. The county has also had mild earth tremors. In 1861, an earthquake caused minor damage in the southern part of the county.
Protected Natural Areas
- Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
- Doughton Recreation Area (part)
- E.B. Jeffress Park
- Buffalo Cove Game Land (part)
- Kerr Scott Game Land
- Rendezvous Mountain State Forest Game Land
- Rendezvous Mountain State Park
- Stone Mountain State Park (part)
- Thurmond Chatham Game Land (part)
Major Rivers and Lakes
- W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir
- Yadkin River
- Reddies River
- Roaring River
- Mulberry Creek
Neighboring Counties
- Alexander County – south
- Alleghany County – north
- Ashe County – northwest
- Caldwell County – southwest
- Iredell County – southeast
- Surry County – northeast
- Watauga County – west
- Yadkin County – east
Main Roads and Transportation
US 21
US 421
NC 16
NC 18
NC 115
NC 268
Wilkes County has several main roads, an airport, and public transportation. The Blue Ridge Parkway also runs through Wilkes County.
Important Buildings and Services
- North Wilkesboro Speedway, a famous car racing track
- Wilkes County Airport
- Wilkes Transportation Authority, which provides bus and van services
People of Wilkes County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 8,157 | — | |
| 1800 | 7,247 | −11.2% | |
| 1810 | 9,054 | 24.9% | |
| 1820 | 9,967 | 10.1% | |
| 1830 | 11,968 | 20.1% | |
| 1840 | 12,577 | 5.1% | |
| 1850 | 12,099 | −3.8% | |
| 1860 | 14,749 | 21.9% | |
| 1870 | 15,539 | 5.4% | |
| 1880 | 19,181 | 23.4% | |
| 1890 | 22,675 | 18.2% | |
| 1900 | 26,872 | 18.5% | |
| 1910 | 30,282 | 12.7% | |
| 1920 | 32,644 | 7.8% | |
| 1930 | 36,162 | 10.8% | |
| 1940 | 43,003 | 18.9% | |
| 1950 | 45,243 | 5.2% | |
| 1960 | 45,269 | 0.1% | |
| 1970 | 49,524 | 9.4% | |
| 1980 | 58,657 | 18.4% | |
| 1990 | 59,393 | 1.3% | |
| 2000 | 65,352 | 10.0% | |
| 2010 | 69,340 | 6.1% | |
| 2020 | 65,969 | −4.9% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 66,013 | −4.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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In 2020, there were 65,969 people living in Wilkes County. Most people (about 85%) were White. About 4% were Black or African American. About 7% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
Religions in Wilkes County
Since the early days, most people in Wilkes County have been Protestant Christians. The first churches were Episcopalian and Presbyterian. But by the 1850s, Southern Baptists became the largest group. They are still the main church group today. There are also many Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and other Christian churches.
Not many Roman Catholics lived in Wilkes County in the past. But more people have moved here, including many Hispanic people. This has increased the number of Catholics. Wilkes County has one Catholic church, Saint John Baptist de LaSalle Catholic Church. Few people of other faiths, like Jews, live in the county.
Economy of Wilkes County
Wilkes County is mostly rural, but it has been the starting place for many big businesses. Lowe's, a large home-improvement store chain, began in Wilkes County in 1946. Lowe's moved its main offices in 2003, but it still has a large office in Wilkesboro. Lowe's is the county's second-largest employer. Carolina West Wireless, a phone company, also started in Wilkesboro in 1991.
Other companies that started here include Lowes Foods (a grocery store chain) and The Northwestern Bank. The Carolina Mirror Company was once the biggest mirror factory in America. Today, Gardner Glass Products Inc. still makes mirrors in North Wilkesboro. Holly Farms was a large chicken producer until Tyson Foods bought it in 1989. Wilkes County is still one of the biggest chicken producers in the Eastern United States. Many farmers here raise chickens for Tyson Foods, which is the largest employer in Wilkes.
Like many rural areas, Wilkes County has seen many textile and furniture factories close since 2000. These factories moved to other countries where workers are paid less. This caused many jobs to be lost. However, the county's economy has been improving since 2014.
Wine Making in Wilkes County
Wilkes County is part of the Yadkin Valley AVA, which is a special area for growing grapes for wine. As tobacco farming has decreased, some farmers in Wilkes County have started making wine. They have even hired experts from Europe and California to help. Because of this, wine-making is becoming popular in Wilkes and nearby counties.
Every May, Wilkes County holds the Shine to Wine Festival in downtown North Wilkesboro. This festival celebrates the county's history, from its past with homemade spirits to its new wine industry.
Education in Wilkes County
The Wilkes County Schools system has 22 schools. These schools teach students from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. There are 5 high schools, 4 middle schools, and 13 elementary schools. Bridges Charter School is the only charter school in the county. The Elkin City Schools district also serves some parts of Wilkes.
Wilkes County has three private schools. All of them are connected to Christian churches. The biggest private school is Millers Creek Christian School. More and more students in Wilkes County are being home schooled.
The only college in Wilkes County is Wilkes Community College (WCC). It is a public two-year college that is part of the North Carolina Community College System. The Appalachian Regional Library serves Wilkes County.
Media in Wilkes County
Wilkes County has two local newspapers:
- Wilkes Journal-Patriot – This newspaper started in 1906 and comes out once a week.
- The Record of Wilkes – This newspaper is published online once a week. It often focuses on local arts and culture.
The county has three radio stations:
- WKBC-FM (97.3 FM) – Plays adult contemporary music and broadcasts games from Appalachian State University.
- WKBC (AM) (800 AM) – Plays American country music.
- WWWC (AM) (1240 AM & 100.1 FM) – Plays Southern Gospel music and shares local news and high school sports.
Most people in the county can also watch TV stations from Winston-Salem. Wilkes County is also home to GoWilkes.com, a website where people can talk about local news and events.
Hospitals in Wilkes County
Wilkes Medical Center opened in 1952. In 2017, Wake Forest Baptist Health took over the hospital. Wilkes Medical Center is the largest hospital in northwestern North Carolina. It is also the fourth-largest employer in Wilkes County. West Park, which used to be a shopping center, is now a large medical park. It has many offices for doctors, specialists, pharmacies, and other health services.
Events and Festivals in Wilkes County
Wilkes County has a rich musical history, which is celebrated at its festivals.
The annual Shine to Wine Festival is held in downtown North Wilkesboro. It takes place on the first Saturday of May. This festival honors the county's past with homemade spirits and its growing wine industry.
Wilkes County also hosts the yearly Brushy Mountain Apple Festival. This festival is held in downtown North Wilkesboro on the first weekend of October. It is one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in the Southern United States. Over 160,000 people visit it each year.
Carolina in the Fall is another music festival. It happens every September in Historic Downtown Wilkesboro. This festival features music, a wine and beer garden, and a food truck competition.
The Carolina West Wireless Community Commons and Wilkes Communications Pavilion hosts "Concerts on the Commons." This is a series of live music concerts from May to October each year.
MerleFest is a very famous music festival in Wilkesboro. It was started in 1988 by the legendary folk music guitarist Doc Watson and Bill Young. The festival is named after Doc's son, Merle Watson. MerleFest is one of the biggest folk and bluegrass music festivals in the United States. It brings in over 75,000 music fans every year. The festival helps raise money for Wilkes Community College. It also brings over $10 million in business and tourism money to Wilkes County.
Communities in Wilkes County
Towns
- Elkin (also partly in Surry County)
- North Wilkesboro (largest community)
- Ronda
- Wilkesboro (county seat)
Census-Designated Places
Other Communities
Famous People from Wilkes County
- Daniel Boone (1734–1820), a famous explorer and pioneer. He lived in Wilkes County for a few years.
- Chang and Eng Bunker (1811–1874), known as the Siamese twins. They settled in Wilkes County in the 1850s and had many children.
- Robert Byrd (1917–2010), a U.S. Senator from West Virginia. He was the longest-serving Senator in American history.
- Benjamin Cleveland (1738–1806), a colonel in the North Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War. He was a commander at the Battle of Kings Mountain.
- Zach Galifianakis (born 1969), a well-known actor and comedian.
- Junior Johnson (1931–2019), a legendary NASCAR racer. He won 50 NASCAR races and 6 championships as a car owner.
- William Ballard Lenoir (1751–1839), the first President of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Benny Parsons (1941–2007), a NASCAR racer who won the 1973 NASCAR championship. He later became a TV racing analyst.
- James Larkin Pearson (1879–1981), a poet and newspaper publisher. He was the North Carolina Poet Laureate from 1953 to 1981.
- Morgan Shepherd (born 1941), a NASCAR driver for over fifty years. He is the oldest driver to lead a lap in a NASCAR race.
- Montford Stokes (1762–1842), a United States Senator and Governor of North Carolina.
- John Swofford (born 1948), the Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) from 1997 to 2021.
- William Oliver Swofford (1945–2000), a pop singer known as Oliver. He had hits like Good Morning Starshine and Jean.
The Story of Tom Dooley
The story of Tom Dula is a famous folk legend from Wilkes County. It became widely known through newspapers in the 1800s. The Kingston Trio made it even more famous with their 1958 song "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley." A movie starring Michael Landon was also made in 1959. Today, there is an outdoor play based on the story each summer. In 2001, Tom Dula was officially cleared of all charges by the county.
Images for kids
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Old Wilkes County Courthouse
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Wilkes County Seal
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Wilkes (Carolina del Norte) para niños
