North Wilkesboro is a town located in Wilkes County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,116. It is the original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, though the chain has since relocated its headquarters. North Wilkesboro's major industries include furniture, mirror, and textile production.
North Wilkesboro is located at 36°10'15" North, 81°8'31" West (36.170910, -81.142048).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.3 km2 (5.1 mi2). 13.3 km2 (5.1 mi2) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.The town is located on the north bank of the Yadkin River opposite Wilkesboro, the seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina.
As of the census of 2000, there are 4,116 people, 1,639 households, and 942 families residing in the town. The population density is 310.4/km2 (803.9/mi2). There are 1,837 housing units at an average density of 138.5/km2 (358.8/mi2). The racial makeup of the town is 78.47% White, 13.90% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.49% Pacific Islander, 4.25% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. 11.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,639 households out of which 27.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% are married couples living together, 15.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% are non-families. 39.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.25 and the average family size is 3.01.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $22,813, and the median income for a family is $29,844. Males have a median income of $22,204 versus $17,872 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,594. 21.2% of the population and 21.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.2% of those under the age of 18 and 27.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
North Wilkesboro was founded in the 1890's when the Norfolk and Southern Railroad built a railroad line into Wilkes County. The line ended on the northern bank of the Yadkin River opposite Wilkesboro, the county seat. The town of North Wilkesboro quickly developed around the railroad tracks.
From 1947 to 1996 North Wilkesboro was the home of the North Wilkesboro Speedway, one of the first tracks on the NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Racing) circuit, and the town earned considerable revenue and publicity from the two NASCAR races that were held at the track each year. In 1996 the track was sold to two new owners, who closed the North Wilkesboro Speedway and moved its NASCAR races to their speedways in Texas and New Hampshire.
North Wilkesboro is the home of the annual Brushy Mountain Apple Festival, which is held to celebrate the apple harvest from the nearby Brushy Mountains. Crowds of up to 100,000 people usually attend the two-day festival, which features music, dancing, and food traditional to the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Source:
NorthWilkesboroNorthCarolina.com
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