Wilkesboro, North Carolina

2025-10-25T05:58:18Z

130.45.201.173: /* Notable people */

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| settlement_type = [[Town]]
| nickname =
| motto = Where the Mountains Begin
| image_skyline = File:Wilkesboro_NC_Old_Courthouse.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Former [[Wilkes County Courthouse (North Carolina)|Wilkes County Courthouse]], now the Wilkes Heritage Museum
| image_flag = Wilkesboro, NC Town Flag.png
| image_seal = Wilkesboro, North Carolina seal.png

| image_map = NCMap-doton-Wilkesboro.PNG
| mapsize = 250px
| map_caption = Location of Wilkesboro, North Carolina
| image_map1 =
| mapsize1 =
| map_caption1 = 
| subdivision_type = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name = [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name2 = United States
| government_footnotes =
| government_type = municipal
| leader_title = Town Manager
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = Kenneth Noland
| established_title = Town Manager
| established_date = 
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 16.64
| area_land_km2 = 16.64
| area_water_km2 = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi = 6.43
| area_land_sq_mi = 6.43
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00

| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 3687
| population_density_km2 = 221.52
| population_density_sq_mi = 573.76

| timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft = 991
| coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| coordinates = {{coord|36|08|33|N|81|10|30|W|region:US-NC|display=inline,title}}
| named_for = [[John Wilkes]]

| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code = 28697
| area_code = [[Area code 336|336]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 37-74020<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 2406886<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406886}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|https://wilkesboronc.org/}}
| footnotes =
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_footnotes =
| population_est =
| name = Wilkesboro
}}
'''Wilkesboro''' is a town in and the [[county seat]] of [[Wilkes County, North Carolina]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 3,687 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncleg.gov/Files/GIS/Base_Data/2021/Reports/PL94_171_2020_PlacePop.pdf |access-date=October 16, 2023| title=2020 Census, North Carolina - Total Population by Municipality |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201225228/https://ncleg.gov/Files/GIS/Base_Data/2021/Reports/PL94_171_2020_PlacePop.pdf |archive-date=December 1, 2021}}</ref> The town is located along the south bank of the [[Yadkin River]], directly opposite the town of [[North Wilkesboro, North Carolina|North Wilkesboro]].

==History ==
Wilkesboro was founded in 1800 and quickly designated as the county seat.

The town is built atop a low, broad ridge which runs for over a mile along the south bank of the Yadkin River.

For many decades a popular historic spot in Wilkesboro was the "Tory Oak", a large oak tree from which Colonel [[Benjamin Cleveland]], a well-known Wilkes County patriot during the [[American Revolutionary War]], hanged Loyalist militia leaders who supported the British king and opposed American independence from Britain. The oak was located behind the old Wilkes County courthouse.

During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], many of Wilkesboro's residents remained loyal to the Union and opposed the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]]. In March 1865, General [[George Stoneman]], a Union cavalry leader, led a raid through the town.

Shortly after the war ended, [[Tom Dula]] (Dooley), a Confederate veteran, was tried and hanged for the murder of his fiancée, Laura Foster. Many people were convinced that one of Dula's jealous ex-girlfriends murdered Foster, and that Dula was innocent of the crime. Dula's story was turned into a top-selling [[ballad]] in 1958 by [[The Kingston Trio]], titled "[[Tom Dooley (song)|Tom Dooley]]". The story was subsequently turned into a 1959 movie starring [[Michael Landon]] as Dula. Each summer, the Wilkes Playmakers present a popular play based on the story.

The [[Robert Cleveland Log House]], [[Downtown Wilkesboro Historic District]], [[Federal Building (Wilkesboro, North Carolina)|Federal Building]], [[J. T. Ferguson Store]], [[Thomas B. Finley Law Office]], [[J. L. Hemphill House]], [[Johnson-Hubbard House]], [[Old Wilkes County Jail]], [[St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Cemetery]], [[Wilkes County Courthouse (North Carolina)|Wilkes County Courthouse]], [[Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church]], and [[Wilkesboro-Smithey Hotel]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Demographics==
===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Wilkesboro racial composition<ref>{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3774020&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 2,725
| 73.91%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 327
| 8.87%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 6
| 0.16%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 122
| 3.31%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/mixed]]
| 165
| 4.48%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 342
| 9.28%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 3,687 people, 1,386 households, and 808 families residing in the town.

===2010 census===
As of the 2010 census, there were 3,413 people living in Wilkesboro. The population density was {{convert|622.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Wilkesboro was 81.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 8.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 3.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.0% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.3% from two or more races.<ref name="wilkesboronorthcarolina.com">{{cite web | url=http://wilkesboronorthcarolina.com/business-2/fact-a-figures/regional-population | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212043348/http://wilkesboronorthcarolina.com/business-2/fact-a-figures/regional-population | archive-date=February 12, 2015 | title=Population - Town of Wilkesboro }}</ref>

The population of Wilkesboro was spread out, with 21.7% being under the age of 20, 6.1% from 20-24, 21.9% from 25-44, 25.6% from 45-64, and 24.5% being 65 and over. The median age was 45.2 years old, more specifically 40.8 for males and 49.5 for females.<ref name="wilkesboronorthcarolina.com"/>
{{US Census population
|1880= 200
|1890= 336
|1900= 634
|1910= 799
|1920= 814
|1930= 1042
|1940= 1309
|1950= 1370
|1960= 1568
|1970= 2038
|1980= 2335
|1990= 2573
|2000= 3159
|2010= 3413
|2020= 3687
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

==Economy==
Wilkesboro's largest industry is the [[Tyson Foods]] poultry processing plant; it is one of the largest poultry plants east of the Mississippi River.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Wilkesboro Tyson Chicken plant shut down after COVID-19 outbreak|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2020/05/09/wilkesboro-tyson-chicken-plant-shut-down-after-covid-outbreak/|last=Staff|date=May 9, 2020|work=WBTV|language=en-US|access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref>

Local communication companies Wilkes Communications and Carolina West Wireless are based in Wilkesboro.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.carolinawest.com/about-us/|publisher=Carolina West Wireless|access-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref>

==Education==
Wilkesboro is served by the [[Wilkes County Schools (North Carolina)|Wilkes County Schools]] system. Most of Wilkesboro's high school students attend [[Wilkes Central High School]]; it is located in the adjacent community of [[Moravian Falls, North Carolina|Moravian Falls]]. Wilkes Early College, based at [[Wilkes Community College]], and one charter school, Bridges Charter School in [[State Road, North Carolina]], offer other high-school options to Wilkesboro's students.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wilkes County|url=http://www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/schools/counties/county?countyName=Wilkes|work=Office of Charter Schools website|publisher=North Carolina Department of Public Instruction|access-date=April 28, 2012}}</ref> Middle school students in Wilkesboro attend Central Wilkes Middle School, located in Moravian Falls, while the elementary schools that serve the town are Wilkesboro Elementary, Moravian Falls Elementary, and CC Wright Elementary.

Wilkesboro is the home of [[Wilkes Community College]], a public, coed, [[two-year college]] within the [[North Carolina Community College System]]. The college's enrollment is typically around 3,500 students.

==Media==
[[File:Wilkesboro Town Hall.jpg|alt=Wilkesboro Town Hall|thumb|Wilkesboro Town Hall]]

Wilkesboro is served by a few media sources based in nearby North Wilkesboro. The ''Record of Wilkes'' and the ''Journal-Patriot'' are published weekly.

Wilkes County's two largest radio stations are broadcast from North Wilkesboro: [[WKBC-FM]] (97.3 FM) broadcasts [[Adult Contemporary]] ([[hot AC]]) and [[WKBC (AM)]] (800 AM) broadcasts [[country music]].

==Transportation==

===Public transportation===
WTA, [[Wilkes Transportation Authority]], is a local shuttle service based in Wilkesboro that utilizes vans and buses to serve Wilkes County. Fares range from $2-$24, but are typically around $4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wta1.org/schedule_pricing.php|title=Wilkes Transportation Authority|website=wta1.org|access-date=October 13, 2017}}</ref> A scheduled shuttle service runs roughly every hour, and an unscheduled service allows riders to request a van pick-up in any part of the county.

===Intercity bus===
Daily bus service is available on [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]]. Sunway buses are advertised as Greyhound Express buses. The bus stop is in front of the former Federal Building at 207 West Main Street. Bus service goes to [[Boone, North Carolina|Boone, NC]] and [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro, NC]], known as the Mountaineer East/West line, with prices as low as $4. Passengers can connect to Greyhound services throughout the East Coast via the [[J. Douglas Galyon Depot]], where the line ends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunwaycharters.com/cms/line-runs|title=Daily Line Runs|website=www.sunwaycharters.com|language=en-gb|access-date=October 13, 2017}}</ref>

===Major highways===
{|
|
|- Valign="top"
|
*{{Jct|state=NC|US|421}} ([[U.S. Route 421 Business (North Wilkesboro, North Carolina)|BUS]])
*{{Jct|state=NC|NC|16}}
|
*{{Jct|state=NC|NC|18}}
*{{Jct|state=NC|NC|268}}
|}

==Politics and religion==
Like most of Wilkes County, Wilkesboro has long been a bastion of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].

Wilkesboro's largest religious group is the [[Southern Baptists]], but the town does contain substantial numbers of [[Methodists]], [[Presbyterians]], [[Lutherans]], and [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopalians]]. The first two churches to be established in Wilkes County were built in Wilkesboro; they were missionary churches for the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]] and [[Presbyterian]] denominations. The nearby town of North Wilkesboro contains Wilkes County's only [[Roman Catholic]] church: a parish church named for Saint John Baptist de la Salle, and part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.

==Attractions==

Wilkesboro is a small town Main Street community{{clarify|date=January 2025}} and has recently{{when|date=January 2025}} revitalized its historic downtown to include the Carolina West Wireless Community Commons, Wilkes Communications Pavilion, Heritage Square, and Splash Pad.

Cub Creek Park is adjacent to the downtown area and contains many amenities, including baseball; walking and mountain biking trails; trout fishing; dog park; basketball, tennis, and [[pickleball]] courts; and picnic shelters.

Wilkesboro is also the home of the annual [[MerleFest]], Carolina in the Fall, and Brushy Mountain Peach & Heritage festivals.

*[[MerleFest]]
*[[W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir]]
*[[File:Wilkesboro Town Hall 2015.jpg|alt=Wilkesboro Town Hall|thumb|Wilkesboro Town Hall]]Carolina West Wireless Community Commons
*Wilkes Communications Pavilion
*Heritage Square Splash Pad
*Wilkes Heritage Museum
*Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course
*Wilkesboro Sundial
*Wilkes Community College
*Ben Long Frescoes at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
*Cub Creek Park and Mountain Biking Trails
*Hidden Oaks Dog Park
*Blue Ridge Artisan Center at the 1915 Building
*Yadkin River Greenway
*[[North Wilkesboro Speedway]]

==Notable people==
* [[Rhoda Bryan Billings]], law professor and jurist, second woman to serve as Chief Justice of the [[North Carolina Supreme Court]]
* [[Chang and Eng Bunker]], the original [[Siamese twins]]
* [[Zach Galifianakis]], stand-up comedian and [[character actor]]
* [[Deneen Graham]], first black woman to be crowned [[Miss North Carolina]], in 1983
* [[Richard N. Hackett]], [[United States House of Representatives|congressional representative]] from 1907 to 1909<ref>{{CongBio|H000004|name=HACKETT, Richard Nathaniel|inline=1|date=June 6, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Jim Hamby]], former [[MLB]] player<ref>[http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=12353 Jim Hamby Profile]. ''The Baseball Cube''. Retrieved March 21, 2019.</ref>
* [[Junior Johnson]], former [[NASCAR]] driver who tallied 50 wins in his career
* [[Benny Parsons]], [[NASCAR]] Driver
* [[Montford Stokes]], former [[United States senator]] and [[List of governors of North Carolina|25th]] [[governor of North Carolina]]
* [[Rachel Montgomery Stokes]], First Lady of North Carolina, wife of Montford Stokes

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://www.wilkesboronorthcarolina.com}}

{{Wilkes County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Wilkes County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]]
[[Category:County seats in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1800]]

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Wilkesboro, North Carolina