Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 37 min6:08 am – 8:46 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 42 min7:32 am – 5:14 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People1,438 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 57.7615 householdsMedian household income $51,836Median home value $202,500Median rent $436 a month81% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $957 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting5.7% unemployment rate55% of adults are in the labour force, 601 employedMain industries: education and health care 43%, manufacturing 33%, hospitality, food and recreation 8%Average commute 43 minutes65% drive alone, 12% car-pool, 2% walk or cycle, 21% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages15% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher82% finished high school, 6% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 88°F, lows 66°FColdest month January: highs 49°F, lows 27°F52 in of rain a year, on about 86 dayswettest month August8 in of snow a year, on about 2 days33 days above 90°F, 98 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, W Kerr Scott Resv station, 10 mi away
Parks and public landsBuffalo Cove Game Landstate conservation land · 5.0 mi · 6,654 acresMount Jefferson State Natural Areastate park · 18.8 mi · 1,176 acresElk Knob State Parkstate park · 20.5 mi · 4,437 acresBear Paw State Natural Areastate park · 22.0 mi · 384 acresNew River State Parkstate park · 22.3 mi · 3,194 acresStone Mountain State Parkstate park · 24.7 mi · 13,501 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes8 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 4+, 1 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202031 mi away, near Sparta, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202031 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively ModerateWilkes County, NC, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsIce storm Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality69% of days had good air in 2025239 of 347 days measured108 moderate daysMedian index 42, worst day 88main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Catawba County, NC, 34 mi away
Internet at home72% of households have a broadband subscription58% have cable, fibre or DSL13% rely on a mobile data plan alone27% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterBlue Ridge Mtn Clubserves 685 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation2,128 ft649 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalWatauga Medical Center14.4 miPost officeFerguson Post Office3.4 miFire stationFerguson Fire Department3.4 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeWilkes Community College12.9 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportTri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI61 miMajor airportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT68 miInterstateI-4027 miUS highwayW US Hwy 4213.8 miAmtrakGastonia, NC GAS60 miCoachWilkesboroSunway Charters15 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28624 ZIP area.
