Wilkes County, NC (est. 1777) is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. It became home to early German and Scotch-Irish settlers who brought their traditions – from farming and religion to music and crafts – to the Appalachian Mountains. Still today, these traditions are a part of life in Wilkes County.
The county is popular for its outdoor recreation, camping, festivals, vineyards, orchards and quaint small-town environment. Whether making a visit or making a move to Wilkes County, it offers something for everyone of all ages and interests.
Wake Forest Baptist Health Wilkes Medical Center has been providing the most modern medical care available for our community for more than sixty years and is licensed for 130 beds, including a 10-bed skilled nursing unit. Its mission is to promote the health of our region as an exceptional and compassionate provider of care.
West Park Medical Park is dedicated to providing a convenient location for medical programs, services and specializations such as rehabilitation and adult day care.State of the County Health Report: Wilkes County 2020
Wilkes County Trends in Key Health Indicators
Visit the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce to learn more about business associations and connection
Primary and Secondary Education
Wilkes County's investment in education is evident in the modern schools throughout the County. In a rapidly changing world, Wilkes County Schools is committed to serving the needs of its students to prepare them for a productive life in the 21st century. Wilkes has recently funded $12 million in school physical plant improvements as part of an ongoing commitment to provide the highest quality educational setting in the area.
Each student is afforded a safe learning environment which helps develop lifelong learners, responsible citizens, independent thinkers, and productive adults able to meet challenges now and in the years ahead. Collaboration between employers and educators at every level in the county is ongoing so that graduates can enter the workforce and meet its immediate needs.
- Visit Wilkes County Schools (PK-12)
Higher Education
North Carolina is recognized as a leader in higher education. It is home to the country’s oldest state-supported university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, established in 1789. The state is also home to elite colleges and universities such as Duke University, Wake Forest University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Davidson College, Elon University, High Point University, Catawba College and Appalachian State University. There are 13 colleges and universities within 50 miles of Wilkes County, including Appalachian State, 45 minutes away, and Wake Forest University, 55 minutes away. Explore the state's institutions of higher education.
The University of North Carolina System
Wilkes Community College
Wilkes Community College (WCC) is proud of the partnerships it enjoys with the business and industry communities in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties. Its services are based on strong collaborations with public schools and employers, tailoring training solutions that are as unique as this region's business community. Secondary schools provide a strong technical education for many students who transition into WCC's technical programs such as Information Technology, Animal Science, Engineering Technology, Automotive Systems Technology, Diesel Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Horticulture Technology and more. The Wilkes Economic Development Corporation supports Wilkes Community College’s SkillsUSA Club, one of the most awarded in the country.