Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 38 min6:08 am – 8:46 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 42 min7:32 am – 5:14 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,483 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 49.1998 householdsMedian household income $45,685Median home value $167,400Median rent $684 a month82% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $936 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting13.5% unemployment rate48% of adults are in the labour force, 920 employedMain industries: retail 28%, manufacturing 15%, construction 13%Average commute 26 minutes79% drive alone, 6% car-pool, 16% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages12% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher72% finished high school, 2% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 96%, Spanish 3%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 · 10.7 mi · 6,654 acresMount Jefferson State Natural Areastate park · 13.2 mi · 1,176 acresMulberry Mill Wildlife Conservation Areastate conservation land · 11.2 miNew River State Parkstate park · 15.9 mi · 3,194 acresElk Knob State Parkstate park · 18.0 mi · 4,437 acresStone Mountain State Parkstate park · 18.9 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 202024 mi away, near Sparta, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202024 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, 39 mi away
Internet at home94% of households have a broadband subscription91% have cable, fibre or DSL2% rely on a mobile data plan alone6% 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 in the county
Elevation1,853 ft565 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalWilkes Medical Center12.5 miPost officePurlear Post Office5.3 miFire stationMillers Creek Volunteer Fire Department Station 21.1 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeWilkes Community College11.8 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportTri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI60 miMajor airportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT73 miInterstateI-7731 miUS highwayUS 4212.1 miAmtrakSalisbury, NC SAL63 miCoachWilkesboroSunway Charters13 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28665 ZIP area.
