Wilkesboro, NC Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Wilkesboro, NC: What You Need to Know

Wilkesboro is the seat of Wilkes County, once known as the Moonshine Capital of the World. The town is located in the northwestern part of North Carolina. 

Things to Do in Wilkesboro

Wilkes Heritage Museum’s exhibits cover many subjects, including early stock-car racing, moonshining, military history, and traditional music. Located in the restored 1902 Wilkes County Courthouse, the museum is also home to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. Guided tours show the museum plus the Old Wilkes Jail and the Robert Cleveland Log Home. Head over to W. Kerr Scott Reservoir for great fishing, boating, and hiking. The 1,475-acre lake, located in the Yadkin Valley, offers a network of trails, including the six-mile Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.

Local History

The town of Wilkesboro was chartered in 1847. It was initially called Mulberry Fields, referring to river bottom lands and the hills on both sides of the Yadkin River. The name was changed based on an existing post office named Wilkes, which became Wilkesborough. The town was later called Wilkesboro. The local economy depended on farms, textiles, and tobacco. Between the 1860s and the 1960s, illicit liquor became one of the biggest industries not only in Wilkes County but in the state, hence the county’s nickname. 

Cost of Living

You can stretch your personal budget further in Wilkesboro. The town’s cost of living rate and housing rates are 7.7% and 6% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent is $649. Food cost is 11.1% higher than the national average. The Tar Heel State imposes a flat-rate income tax of 5.25% and 4.75% in sales tax. Take note that counties charge their own sales tax. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Wilkesboro (population: 3,453) is a lovely little town in the mountain region of North Carolina. It’s ideal for retirees and anybody in search of a slower pace. The majority (54%) of residents rent. Within the county, Wilkesboro and Cricket have great schools, although Cricket is even smaller than Wilkesboro. Next-door neighbor North Wilkesboro is slightly bigger than the two towns.

Weather and Climate

Wilkesboro receives about 50 inches of rain per year, more than the U.S. average of 38 inches, and six inches of snow annually versus the national average of 28 inches. On Nov. 12, 2020, Tropical Storm Eta pummeled the region and brought up to 5.34 inches of rain. The storm caused widespread flooding in Wilkes County and three other counties, requiring evacuations and causing washed-out roads, widespread power outages, and 12 deaths.