Wilkes County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Wilkes County, North Carolina, the median home value is $168,800, with a median monthly rent of $723. This places Wilkes County at #1827 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #75 within North Carolina.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,010
- Establishments: 1,266
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 152
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 24,785 (avg $63,059)
- Outflow: 23,803 (avg $63,112)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 4 active ZIP codes in Wilkes County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28642 | 235.3 | — | 2025 |
| 2 | 28697 | 222.6 | +13.77% | 2025 |
| 3 | 28651 | 212.5 | -3.03% | 2025 |
| 4 | 28659 | 217.1 | +4.80% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
How Wilkes County Compares
| Metric | Wilkes County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $168,800 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $723 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 73.5% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 19.5 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Wilkes County is 28.3% below the North Carolina state average and 25.9% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $723/month is 25.9% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 19.5, the buy-vs-rent decision in Wilkes County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Wilkes County has an owner-occupancy rate of 73.5%, compared to 71.8% in North Carolina and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meriwether County | Georgia | $168,800 | $920 |
| Otero County | Colorado | $168,900 | $839 |
| Upson County | Georgia | $168,700 | $849 |
| Owen County | Kentucky | $168,700 | $830 |
| Highland County | Ohio | $168,900 | $780 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham County | $168,600 | $810 | 72.1% |
| Graham County | $170,600 | $676 | 80.7% |
| Gates County | $170,800 | $1,143 | 80.9% |
| McDowell County | $171,100 | $806 | 75.6% |
| Tyrrell County | $164,500 | $644 | 77.8% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-13. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).