Wilkesboro offers small-town charm in the Blue Ridge Foothills
Appalachian heritage and love for the outdoors define Wilkesboro. This small town rests in the scenic Yadkin River Valley between the Brushy and Blue Ridge Mountains, less than 60 miles west of Winston-Salem . As the seat of Wilkes County, the town is a hub for retail, culture and local government in this largely rural region. “You can drive from one end of the county to the other and see miles of farmland, and when you get into the town, we have a lot of family-owned small businesses,” says Tathel Miller, a Wilkes County native and Realtor with Braken Real Estate Group. She adds that vibrant annual events and a strong community-oriented spirit make Wilkesboro an appealing choice for homebuyers. “The things we have here, the festivals and NASCAR races, are not only for visitors. They’re for the locals as well,” Miller says. The town has a diverse economy, supported by tourism, Wilkes Community College and longtime employers such as Tyson Foods.
Single-family homes include cottages and Colonial Revivals
A community stretching well beyond the town limits, Wilkesboro offers a wide variety of home styles. Bungalows and cottages dot small lots close to downtown, while split-levels and ranch-style homes rest on more spacious lots in the Westwood Hills neighborhood near Wilkes Community College. Subdivisions farther out, such as Beacon Ridge and Quail Hollow Estates, feature brick New Traditional homes and farmhouse-inspired Colonial Revivals. Custom luxury properties surround the private 18-hole golf course at Oakwoods Country Club. The median price for a single-family home is around $380,000, below the national median. Most homes fall between $230,000 and $600,000. However, especially large homes and luxury properties can start around $700,000 and can exceed $1 million. Townhouses are available between $215,000 and $380,000. Potential buyers should note that flooding is possible; the Yadkin River breached its banks when Hurricane Helene hit in 2024.
Above-average public schools serve Wilkesboro
Wilkes County Schools earns an A-minus overall rating from Niche and has around 8,300 students across 22 schools. There’s no open enrollment, so students typically attend the school they’re zoned for. Families can submit a school of choice request, but placement depends on space and district approval. The A-minus-rated Wilkesboro Elementary is one of three elementary schools serving Wilkesboro. The schools feed into Central Wilkes Middle and Wilkes Central High, which both earn B ratings. The high school offers an Advanced Placement Academy, a four-year program that requires students to take and pass seven AP courses as well as participate in community service. Wilkes Community College is home to the A-minus-rated Wilkes Early College High.
Outdoor recreation from Cub Creek Park to the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
The expansive Cub Creek Park is the town’s flagship park, with a variety of spaces for pickleball, basketball and baseball. “Pickleball has been all the rage here. The sport appeals to all ages, and it's not unusual to see someone in their 80s playing with someone who is 15,” Miller says. Walking trails link other amenities, from a sensory playground to a dog park. Nearby, disc throwers can take on 18 baskets peppering Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course. Next door, the Wilkesboro Wastewater Treatment Plant turns into a campground during special events, with campers lovingly referring to their stay as “Sewerfest.” Fishing and paddling on the Yadkin River are popular pastimes. Greenways run along the banks for walks and bike rides. Parks, hiking trails and boat ramps dot the shoreline of the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, a nearly 1,500-acre lake less than 5 miles from town. Several state parks are within driving distance, including Stone Mountain State Park. Other nearby destinations include the North Wilkesboro Speedway, known for its early NASCAR and moonshine-runner history.
Shopping and dining in the Downtown Wilkesboro Historic District
Wilkesboro has two main shopping areas. Small business is the focus along West Main Street in the Downtown Wilkesboro Historic District, where preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings house boutiques and restaurants. Clothing, antiques, books and collectibles are just a few of the items that shoppers can browse in this walkable town center anchored by the Wilkes Heritage Museum, a grand Greek Revival building fronted by the Heritage Square Splash Pad. Restaurants serve primarily American fare, but Mr. Toro Bakery and Taqueria offers tacos and pupusas, and TwoBoros Brewery has wood-fired pizza. Grocery chains, big-box and department stores fill shopping centers along U.S. Route 421.
Two major festivals celebrate music and Brushy Mountain heritage
Seasonal events dot Wilkesboro’s community calendar, but two annual festivals draw tens of thousands to town. In April, MerleFest takes over the Wilkes Community College campus for four days of “traditional plus” music, which is traditional Appalachian music blended with other styles. The long-running festival, created in honor of North Carolina’s famed folk and bluegrass guitarist Eddy Merle Watson, features 12 stages and dozens of musicians. On the last Saturday in July, the Brushy Mountain Peach and Heritage Festival celebrates the region’s agricultural roots, filling downtown with craft and food vendors and bushels of peaches.
Wilkesboro is car-dependent, with some public transportation
While downtown is walkable, most people in Wilkesboro drive to get around. U.S. Route 421 passes through the town and takes drivers west into the mountains and east toward Interstate 77, the closest major highway. Charlotte is less than 90 miles away and is where residents can catch flights out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Piedmont Triad International Airport is another option, a little over 75 miles away. The Wilkes Transportation Authority provides point-to-point service and an express shuttle around town. Medical care is close by at Wilkes Medical Center in North Wilkesboro .
