Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 38 min6:07 am – 8:46 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 41 min7:32 am – 5:13 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People5,578 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 46.92,315 householdsMedian household income $61,623Median home value $175,300Median rent $695 a month77% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,006 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting6.4% unemployment rate59% of adults are in the labour force, 2,586 employedMain industries: education and health care 24%, manufacturing 19%, retail 11%Average commute 25 minutes86% drive alone, 8% car-pool, 7% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages15% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher89% finished high school, 5% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 95%, Spanish 3%, Vietnamese 2%4% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 79°F, lows 58°FColdest month January: highs 42°F, lows 22°F59 in of rain a year, on about 90 dayswettest month September14 in of snow a year, on about 4 days1 days above 90°F, 138 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Transou station, 7 mi away; snow from Jefferson 2 E
Parks and public landsThurmond Chatham Game Landstate conservation land · 6.7 mi · 6,348 acresNew River State Parkstate park · 9.5 mi · 3,194 acresMount Jefferson State Natural Areastate park · 9.8 mi · 1,176 acresMulberry Mill Wildlife Conservation Areastate conservation land · 9.0 miStone Mountain State Parkstate park · 12.3 mi · 13,501 acresSouth Fork of the New River State Natural and Scenic Riverstate park · 12.7 mi · 611 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes7 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 4+, 1 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202017 mi away, near Sparta, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202017 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, 45 mi away
Internet at home89% of households have a broadband subscription83% have cable, fibre or DSL6% rely on a mobile data plan alone9% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterWest Wilkes Wtr Association INCserves 12,573 people from surface water purchased1 health-based violation since 2021latest Oct 2024: lead and copper, treatment technique1 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,975 ft602 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalAshe Memorial Hospital11.6 miPost officeGlendale Springs Post Office4.8 miFire stationWilbar Volunteer Fire Department Substation1.5 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeAshe Campus of Wilkes Community College11.2 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportTri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI62 miMajor airportPiedmont Triad International Airport GSO78 miInterstateI-7727 miUS highwayUS 4219.7 miAmtrakSalisbury, NC SAL65 miCoachWilkesboroSunway Charters14 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28651 ZIP area.
