Wilkes County, North Carolina

Wilkes County
Old Wilkes County Courthouse
Official seal of Wilkes County
Motto(s): 
"Imperium Intra Imperio" (Latin)
(Empire Within Empire)
Map of North Carolina highlighting Wilkes County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°13′N 81°10′W / 36.21°N 81.17°W / 36.21; -81.17
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1778
Named forJohn Wilkes
SeatWilkesboro
Largest communityNorth Wilkesboro
Area
 • Total
756.33 sq mi (1,958.9 km2)
 • Land753.68 sq mi (1,952.0 km2)
 • Water2.65 sq mi (6.9 km2)  0.35%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
65,969
 • Estimate 
(2023)
66,013
 • Density86.38/sq mi (33.35/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.wilkescounty.net

Wilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is a part of the state's western mountain region. As of the 2020 census the population was 65,969.[1] Its county seat is Wilkesboro,[2] and its largest community is North Wilkesboro. Wilkes County comprises the North Wilkesboro, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020CensusQuickFacts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "North Wilkesboro, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area" (PDF). Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Maps. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2011.