Wilkes County, Administrative county in northwestern North Carolina, United States
Wilkes County spans 756 square miles across varying elevations, from 900 feet in the eastern valleys to 4,000 feet in the western Blue Ridge Mountains.
The North Carolina General Assembly established Wilkes County in 1777, naming it after English politician John Wilkes during the American Revolutionary War period.
MerleFest, a four-day roots music festival held annually in Wilkesboro, brings together thousands of attendees to celebrate traditional American music styles.
The county operates 22 educational institutions from pre-kindergarten through high school, serving the educational needs of more than 65,000 residents.
This region earned recognition as a center of moonshine production, leading to the birth of stock car racing and the establishment of North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Location: North Carolina
Inception: 1777
Capital city: Wilkesboro
Shares border with: Ashe County, Alexander County, Alleghany County, Surry County, Yadkin County, Iredell County, Caldwell County, Watauga County
Website: http://wilkescounty.net
GPS coordinates: 36.20000,-81.17000
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:54
North Wilkesboro Speedway
10.9 km
Stone Mountain State Park
24.1 km
Cascade Falls
26.1 km
Stone Mountain
24.3 km
New River State Park
30.9 km
Doughton Park
22.5 km
Fort Defiance
36.6 km
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
34.5 km
Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest
11.5 km
Stone Mountain State Park
24.3 km
Moravian Falls
12.8 km
Betsey's Rock Falls
26.1 km
Brinegar Cabin
24.4 km
Wilkes County Courthouse
5.9 km
Robert Cleveland Log House
4.6 km
Downtown Main Street Historic District
5 km
Ashe County Courthouse
36.5 km
Brown-Cowles House and Cowles Law Office
5.9 km
Thomas B. Finley House
4.6 km
Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church
6 km
Johnson-Hubbard House
6 km
Old Wilkes County Jail
5.9 km
Riverside
28.5 km
Downtown Wilkesboro Historic District
6 km
Claymont Hill
21.8 km
Antioch United Methodist Church
28.1 km
Mariah's Chapel
28.1 km
Federal Building
17.6 kmReviews
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