With a composite score of 77.3, Wilkes County significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties on livability. This 54% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong affordability and tax conditions that make the county an attractive option for budget-conscious residents.
2 / 5
Wilkes Leads North Carolina on Livability
Wilkes County ranks above the state average composite score of 72.7, making it one of North Carolina's most livable counties. This standing reflects the county's particular strength in keeping housing costs and tax burdens manageable for working families.
3 / 5
Affordable Living and Low Taxes Drive Appeal
Wilkes County excels at affordability, with a cost score of 87.0 and median home values of just $161,400—well below state norms. The county also boasts an exceptional tax score of 84.8, backed by an effective tax rate of only 0.621%, making it a haven for tax-conscious households.
4 / 5
Income Levels Lag; More Data Needed
The county's income score of 16.3 reflects a median household income of $50,438, below both state and national averages. Safety, health, school quality, and water data are not yet available, limiting a complete picture of overall livability for families weighing education and community health factors.
5 / 5
Ideal for Cost-Conscious Families and Retirees
Wilkes County suits households prioritizing low living costs and minimal tax burden over high incomes or dense urban amenities. It's particularly appealing to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking affordable homeownership in a stable, low-tax environment.
With a composite score of 77.3, Wilkes County significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties on livability. This 54% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong affordability and tax conditions that make the county an attractive option for budget-conscious residents.
Wilkes Leads North Carolina on Livability
Wilkes County ranks above the state average composite score of 72.7, making it one of North Carolina's most livable counties. This standing reflects the county's particular strength in keeping housing costs and tax burdens manageable for working families.
Affordable Living and Low Taxes Drive Appeal
Wilkes County excels at affordability, with a cost score of 87.0 and median home values of just $161,400—well below state norms. The county also boasts an exceptional tax score of 84.8, backed by an effective tax rate of only 0.621%, making it a haven for tax-conscious households.
Income Levels Lag; More Data Needed
The county's income score of 16.3 reflects a median household income of $50,438, below both state and national averages. Safety, health, school quality, and water data are not yet available, limiting a complete picture of overall livability for families weighing education and community health factors.
Ideal for Cost-Conscious Families and Retirees
Wilkes County suits households prioritizing low living costs and minimal tax burden over high incomes or dense urban amenities. It's particularly appealing to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking affordable homeownership in a stable, low-tax environment.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Wilkes County's effective tax rate of 0.621% sits well below the national median property tax of $2,690 on a $281,900 home. Residents here pay roughly 37% less in annual property taxes than the typical American homeowner, placing the county in the bottom third nationally for tax burden.
Below average for North Carolina
Wilkes County's 0.621% effective rate falls below North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, meaning property owners catch a modest break compared to their neighbors statewide. The county's median tax bill of $1,003 is also $430 lower than the state median of $1,433.
Wilkes stays competitive regionally
Among nearby northwestern North Carolina counties, Wilkes offers one of the lowest tax rates at 0.621%, compared to Wilson County's 0.831% and Yadkin County's 0.686%. Only Yancey County undercuts Wilkes with a 0.476% rate, making this region generally tax-friendly.
Your annual Wilkes tax bill
On Wilkes County's median home value of $161,400, property owners pay roughly $1,003 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with a mortgage pay slightly more—around $1,137—while those without typically pay $901.
Check if you're overassessed
Many Wilkes County homeowners are paying taxes on inflated property assessments and may not realize it. Filing an appeal with the county assessor's office is free and can potentially lower your tax bill if your home was valued too high.
Wilkes County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% sits comfortably below the national benchmark, meaning renters here spend less of their paychecks on housing than typical American households. With a median household income of $50,438 compared to the national median of $74,755, Wilkes residents earn less but pay proportionally lower housing costs, creating genuine affordability.
Among North Carolina's most affordable
At 17.0%, Wilkes County's rent-to-income ratio outperforms the state average of 18.6%, ranking it as one of North Carolina's most housing-affordable counties. This advantage stems from both reasonable rent ($715/month versus the state average of $938) and a cost of living that aligns with local incomes.
Wilkes renters win the region
Wilkes County offers the cheapest rent in this four-county comparison at $715/month, undercut only by Yadkin County's $734. Homeowners here also benefit, with a median owner cost of $568/month—the lowest among these peers—making Wilkes the region's most accessible county for both renters and buyers.
Housing costs as a percent of income
Wilkes County households spend roughly $715 monthly on rent or $568 on mortgage payments against a median income of $50,438 annually ($4,203/month). This leaves renters with 17% of income dedicated to housing and owners with just 13.5%, freeing up money for other essentials.
Relocating? Wilkes deserves consideration
If affordability is your priority, Wilkes County delivers lower rent and owner costs than state and national averages without sacrificing community infrastructure. Compare Wilkes to neighboring Wilson and Yadkin counties to find your ideal balance of cost, income opportunity, and lifestyle.
Wilkes County's median household income of $50,438 trails the U.S. median by $24,317—a 33% gap that signals real economic headwinds. This income level places Wilkes well below the typical American household, reflecting the county's reliance on manufacturing and blue-collar work that often pays less than knowledge-based industries.
Below average for North Carolina
At $50,438, Wilkes ranks below North Carolina's state median of $61,072, putting the county in the lower tier among the state's 100 counties. This $10,634 shortfall reflects regional economic challenges and limited high-wage job creation compared to urban hubs like Charlotte and Raleigh.
Struggling compared to peers
Wilkes households earn less than nearby Yadkin County ($60,321) and Wilson County ($51,381), but outpace some rural neighbors. The gap suggests that Wilkes residents face tighter household budgets than residents in neighboring counties with more diversified economies.
Rent costs are very manageable here
At 17% of household income, Wilkes County's rent-to-income ratio is well below the national threshold of 30%, meaning housing remains affordable for renters. This affordability advantage is one of the county's strengths, allowing households to stretch limited incomes toward other necessities.
Build wealth despite lower income
With housing costs under control, Wilkes households have a rare opportunity to prioritize saving and investing, even on modest incomes. Starting with a small emergency fund and exploring employer retirement plans (401k or IRA) can set the foundation for long-term wealth growth and financial security.
Residents of Wilkes County live to an average age of 73.7 years, about 5.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 79.2 years. One in five adults (20.6%) report being in poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 18%, signaling higher rates of chronic illness and health challenges across the county.
Below North Carolina average
Wilkes County's life expectancy of 73.7 years falls 0.7 years below North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years. While the county's uninsured rate of 13.5% is slightly above the state average of 12.5%, the gap is narrow enough to suggest shared health access challenges across rural North Carolina.
Middling health in mountain region
Wilkes County's life expectancy of 73.7 years places it between neighboring Yadkin County (73.6 years) and Yancey County (76.0 years), though it lags behind the mountain region's healthiest county by more than two years. The county has 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, outpacing Yadkin County's 24 but falling short of Yancey County's 59.
Provider access moderate, insurance gaps real
Wilkes County offers 38 primary care providers and 242 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing reasonable access to both services compared to some rural peers. Yet 13.5% of the county remains uninsured, meaning roughly 1 in 7 residents delay care or skip preventive visits due to cost, contributing to higher rates of poor health outcomes.
Check your coverage options today
If you're among Wilkes County's uninsured residents, the Affordable Care Act marketplace and North Carolina Medicaid expansion offer paths to coverage year-round. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health department navigator to find a plan that fits your budget and family's needs.
With a composite risk score of 82.63, Wilkes County ranks in the relatively moderate category—well above North Carolina's average of 66.72 and significantly higher than the national baseline. This reflects elevated exposure across multiple hazard types, from flooding to earthquakes, that residents should take seriously.
Among North Carolina's riskier counties
Wilkes County's 82.63 score places it in the upper tier of disaster risk across all 100 North Carolina counties. The county's above-average rating means residents face notably higher exposure to natural hazards than most neighbors statewide.
Wilkes stands out among nearby counties
Wilkes County's composite score of 82.63 significantly exceeds nearby Yadkin County (38.36) and Yancey County (42.24), making it the riskiest in this cluster. Wilson County (76.27) comes closer, but Wilkes still carries substantially higher overall hazard exposure.
Flooding and earthquakes pose top threats
Wilkes County's flood risk score of 89.69 is exceptionally high—among the most dangerous in the state—while earthquake risk at 73.92 adds significant seismic concern. Hurricane (75.43) and tornado (72.52) risks remain elevated, creating a compound disaster landscape residents must prepare for.
Secure comprehensive hazard coverage now
Given Wilkes County's elevated flood and earthquake risks, standard homeowners policies are insufficient—you'll need separate flood and earthquake insurance to protect against your county's top threats. Talk to your insurance agent about coverage limits that match your property value and location within the county's highest-risk zones.