From Lowe’s to NASCAR, local pride runs deep in North Wilkesboro
North Wilkesboro is a small town with a big legacy. Not only is it where Lowe’s Home Improvement began its climb to becoming one of the largest hardware store chains in the nation, it’s also tied to the beginnings of stock-car racing. “The people in this area are very proud of their heritage,” says Tathel Miller, a lifelong resident of Wilkes County and Realtor with Braken Real Estate Group. “Our history has been of hard workers—farmers, entrepreneurs, people who take a chance.” The community sits across the Yadkin River from Wilkesboro, but offers its own vibe. “North Wilkesboro has more merchants in their downtown area and older historic buildings. It’s also home to the Wilkes Art Gallery, which offers so much to those who want to be involved,” Miller says. The town, nestled between the Blue Ridge and Brushy Mountains, appeals to the outdoorsy and those seeking a country twist to urban life.
A variety of single-family homes for well below the national median
The median price for a single-family home in North Wilkesboro is around $210,000, significantly below the national median. Prices start at around $100,000 and can exceed $560,000. Grand Victorians and Greek Revivals contrast with smaller bungalows and brick cottages on the blocks surrounding downtown. Ranch-style homes rest on narrow and winding streets near Highland Hills Park. The Beaumont Estates subdivision is sought-after for its secluded feel away from town, while a more rural setting is available well north of the town limits, where two-lane country roads pass by farms. Potential buyers should note that the Yadkin and Reddies Rivers can flood, with Hurricane Helene causing one of the most recent flooding incidents in 2024.
Public schools earn solid ratings and offer college credit pathways
Wilkes County Schools receives an A-minus overall rating from Niche and has 22 schools serving roughly 8,300 students. The district assigns schools based on home address, but families can request a transfer, with placement dependent on space. North Wilkesboro Elementary, Central Wilkes Middle and Wilkes Central High all earn B ratings. Students in the high school’s Advanced Placement Academy can graduate with college credits, while the A-minus-rated Wilkes Early College High offers the ability to graduate with an associate degree from Wilkes Community College.
Downtown North Wilkesboro offers art, retail and entertainment
Preserved red-brick buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries fill Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro, a hub for art, culture and small business. Between the town’s various boutiques are galleries, coffee shops such as Talia Espresso, and Liberty Theater, where residents can enjoy current films for just $5 in retro digs from the 1930s. Restaurants range from Roselli's on 10th, a homey spot for Italian fare, and The Lost Wombat, offering a relaxed atmosphere for beer, burgers and cornhole. Part of downtown is a designated social district, where those 21 and older can bar hop with an open beer or cocktail in-hand. National retailers are close by in Wilkesboro along U.S. Route 421. Grocery chains dot the area, including Food Lion and Lowes Foods. The Wilkes County Farmers Market offers locally grown produce and artisan goods from late April through September at the Yadkin Valley Marketplace.
Recreation includes trout fishing, disc golf and NASCAR races
North Wilkesboro offers a range of outdoor activities. Main Street Park provides a break from the downtown bustle with views of mountains in the distance. Highland Hills Park features an 18-hole disc golf course hidden under the cover of mature trees. Families can spend hours at Smoot Park swimming in the outdoor pool, practicing tricks in the skate park and romping around the playground. The park has a trailhead for the Yadkin River Greenway, one of several open spaces in the area offering scenic and smooth rides for cyclists. Trout fishing is a popular pastime in the Reddies River, while kayakers can paddle and camp along the banks of the Yadkin River. A few miles west of town, the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir offers more water-based adventure. Watching a NASCAR race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the first NASCAR-sanctioned track, is more than a thrilling activity. It’s part of the culture. “People like to step back in time and take their kids and grandkids to the racetrack they went to when they were growing up. That’s the joy of it,” Miller says.
The Brush Mountain Apple Festival is an autumn tradition
Annual events in North Wilkesboro include the Concerts on the Deck summer concert series and Light Up Downtown in December, but one of the biggest events of the year is the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival on the first Saturday in October. More than 100,000 people fill the downtown area for this one-day street fair that celebrates the region’s agricultural and Appalachian roots. “Lots of apple butter, good food and heritage crafts,” Miller says. “The streets are closed off with vendors and organizations fundraise with fried apple pies and ham biscuits—good Southern cooking.”
Most people drive around Wilkes County
North Wilkesboro is primarily car dependent, though it’s common to see people walking and biking around downtown. U.S. 421 is the main highway through the region, connecting commuters to Interstate 77 to the east. Winston-Salem is about 55 miles away, and Charlotte is around 80 miles away. Two airports are within 90 miles: Piedmont Triad International and Charlotte-Douglas International. The Wilkes Transportation Authority provides an express shuttle and on-demand rides around town to places like Wilkes Medical Center, the full-service hospital serving the area.
