Economy Overview Wilkes County, NC Department of Commerce, NC 4327 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io
Contents
Report Parameters
Economy Overview
Unemployment by Demographics
Historic & Projected Trends
Popula on Characteris cs
Inbound and Outbound Migra on
Industry Characteris cs
Business Characteris cs
Workforce Characteris cs
Educa onal Pipeline
In-Demand Skills
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Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io
Economy Overview
Report Parameters
1 County
37193Wilkes County, NC
Class of Worker
QCEW Employees, Non-QCEW Employees, and Self-Employed
The informa on in this report pertains to the chosen geographical area.
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 1
Economy Overview
64,96922,999$46.1K
Popula on (2022)Total Regional EmploymentMedian Household Income (2021)
Popula on decreased by 3,492 over the last 5 years and is projected to decrease by 4,394 over the next 5 years.
Takeaways
Jobs decreased by 2,682 over the last 5 years but are projected to grow by 851 over the next 5 years.
Median household income is $22.9K below the na onal median household income of $69.0K.
As of 2022 the region's popula on declined by 5.1% since 2017, falling by 3,492. Popula on is expected to decrease by 6.8% between 2022 and 2027, losing 4,394.
From 2017 to 2022, jobs declined by 10.4% in Wilkes County, NC from 25,681 to 22,999. This change fell short of the na onal growth rate of 3.8% by 14.2%. As the number of jobs declined, the labor force par cipa on rate decreased from 54.1% to 51.1% between 2017 and 2022
Concerning educa onal a ainment, 12.3% of Wilkes County, NC residents possess a Bachelor's Degree (8.5% below the na onal average), and 11.0% hold an Associate's Degree (2.2% above the na onal average).
The top three industries in 2022 are Restaurants and Other Ea ng Places, Educa on and Hospitals (Local Government), and Animal Slaughtering and Processing.
Region64,04626,65322,99994.6$2.55B$3.96B$3.17B State10,657,3635,214,5425,329,28695.2$706.56B$532.51B$654.98B Popula on (2023) Labor Force (Apr 2023) Jobs (2022) Cost of LivingGRPImportsExports Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 2
Apr 2023 Labor Force Breakdown
Educa onal A ainment
Concerning educa onal a ainment, 12.3% of Wilkes County, NC residents possess a Bachelor's Degree (8.5% below the na onal average), and 11.0% hold an Associate's Degree (2.2% above the na onal average).
Popula on (2023) 64,046
Popula on A 16+ Civilian Non-Ins tu onalized Popula on52,286 A Not in Labor Force (16+) 25,633 A Labor Force 26,653 A Employed 25,773 A Unemployed 880 A Under 16, Military, and ins tu onalized Popula on 11,759 % of Popula onPopula on A Less Than 9th Grade 5.8%2,739 A 9th Grade to 12th Grade 11.9%5,599 A High School Diploma 32.2%15,201 A Some College 21.6%10,188 A Associate's Degree 11.0%5,184 A Bachelor's Degree 12.3%5,789 A Graduate Degree and Higher 5.2%2,443 Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 3
Unemployment by Demographics
Unemployment by Age < 22 171.93% 22-24 394.43% 25-34 21324.20% 35-44 21224.09% 45-54 18921.48% 55-59 9110.34% 60-64 748.41% 65+ 465.23% Total880100.00% Age Unemployment (Apr 2023) % of Unemployed Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 4
Unemployment by Gender Females 48254.77% Males 39845.23% Total880100.00% Gender Unemployment (Apr 2023) % of Unemployed Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 5
Unemployment by Race American Indian or Alaskan Na ve 151.70% Asian 121.36% Black or African American 31235.45% Na ve Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 20.23% White 54061.36% Total880100.00% Race Unemployment (Apr 2023) % of Unemployed Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 6
Unemployment by Ethnicity Hispanic or La no 616.93% Not Hispanic or La no 81993.07% Total880100.00% Ethnicity Unemployment (Apr 2023) % of Unemployed Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 7
Historic & Projected Trends
Popula on Trends
As of 2022 the region's popula on declined by 5.1% since 2017, falling by 3,492. Popula on is expected to decrease by 6.8% between 2022 and 2027, losing 4,394.
2017 68,461 2018 68,481 2019 68,296 2020 65,871 2021 65,806 2022 64,969 2023 64,046 2024 63,146 2025 62,271 2026 61,408 2027 60,575 Timeframe Popula on Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 8
Job Trends
From 2017 to 2022, jobs declined by 10.4% in Wilkes County, NC from 25,681 to 22,999. This change fell short of the na onal growth rate of 3.8% by 14.2%.
2017 25,681 2018 25,185 2019 24,444 2020 23,314 2021 23,081 2022 22,999 2023 23,313 2024 23,542 2025 23,712 2026 23,838 2027 23,850 Timeframe Jobs Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 9
Labor Force Par cipa on Rate Trends
2018 53.57% 2019 52.42% 2020 51.35% 2021 50.48% 2022 51.47% January 2023 51.54% February 2023 51.45% March 2023 51.75% April 2023 50.98% Timeframe Labor Force Par cipa on Rate Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 10
Unemployment Rate Trends
Wilkes County, NC had an April 2023 unemployment rate of 3.30%, decreasing from 3.81% 5 years before.
2018 3.81% 2019 3.97% 2020 6.76% 2021 4.85% 2022 3.83% January 2023 3.66% February 2023 3.70% March 2023 3.61% April 2023 3.30% Timeframe Unemployment Rate Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 11
Wilkes County, NC has 10,657 millennials (ages 25-39). The na onal average for an area this size is 13,442.
Re rement risk is high in Wilkes County, NC. The na onal average for an area this size is 19,560 people 55 or older, while there are 24,702 here.
Racial diversity is low in Wilkes County, NC. The na onal average for an area this size is 26,779 racially diverse people, while there are 8,965 here.
Wilkes County, NC has 3,983 veterans. The na onal average for an area this size is 3,456.
Wilkes County, NC has 2.6 violent crimes per 1,000 people. The na onal rate is 3.59 per 1,000 people.
Wilkes County, NC has 16.47 property crimes per 1,000 people. The na onal rate is 17.8 per 1,000 people.
10,657 Millennials 24,702 Re ring Soon 8,965 Racial Diversity 3,983 Veterans 2.6/1,000 Violent Crime 16.47/1,000 Property Crime Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 12
Popula on Characteris cs
Place
Understanding where talent in Wilkes County, NC currently works compared to where talent lives can help you op mize site decisions.
Talent Works
Talent Lives
Where
Where
Residence
of Work vs Place of
28659 North Wilkesboro, NC (in Wilkes county) … 10,175 28697 Wilkesboro, NC (in Wilkes county) 7,936 28651 Millers Creek, NC (in Wilkes county) … 1,124 28670 Ronda, NC (in Wilkes county) … 708 28669 Roaring River, NC (in Wilkes county) 637 ZIP Name 2022 Employment 28659 North Wilkesboro, NC (in Wilkes county) … 9,059 28697 Wilkesboro, NC (in Wilkes county) 5,422 28651 Millers Creek, NC (in Wilkes county) … 2,833 28635 Hays, NC (in Wilkes county) … 1,501 28654 Moravian Falls, NC (in Wilkes county)1,338 ZIP Name 2022 Workers Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 13
Inbound and Outbound Migra on
The table below analyzes past and current residents of Wilkes County, NC. The le column shows residents of other coun es migra ng to Wilkes County, NC. The right column shows residents migra ng from Wilkes County, NC to other coun es.
As of 2020, 204 people have migrated from Surry County, NC to Wilkes County, NC. In the same year, 226 people le Wilkes County, NC migra ng to Surry County, NC. The total Net Migra on for Wilkes County, NC in 2020 was 219
Surry County, NC Surry County, NC
Iredell County, NC Iredell County, NC
Yadkin County, NC Yadkin County, NC
Watauga County, NC Watauga County, NC
Alexander County, NC
Caldwell County, NC Caldwell County, NC
Ashe County, NC Ashe County, NC
Forsyth County, NC Forsyth County, NC
Surry County, NC Surry County, NC
Yadkin County, NC Yadkin County, NC
Iredell County, NC Iredell County, NC
Forsyth County, NC Forsyth County, NC
Caldwell County, NC Caldwell County, NC
Ashe County, NC Ashe County, NC
Alexander County, NC Alexander County, NC
Watauga County, NC Watauga County, NC Catawba
NC
FL
FL
Mecklenburg County,
Mecklenburg County,
NC
NC Guilford County, NC Guilford County, NC
County,
County,
Previous CountyWilkes County, NCFollowing County Surry County, NC 204 Iredell County, NC 147 Yadkin County, NC 117 Watauga County, NC 102 Alexander County, NC 76 Caldwell County, NC 74 Top Previous Coun es Migra ons Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 14
Sarasota
Sarasota County,
Ashe County, NC 71 Forsyth County, NC 62 Mecklenburg County, NC 50 Guilford County, NC 36 Catawba County, NC 36 Dare County, NC 23 Buncombe County, NC 22 Cabarrus County, NC 20 Charleston County, SC 20 Top Previous Coun es Migra ons Surry County, NC 226 Yadkin County, NC 145 Iredell County, NC 128 Forsyth County, NC 108 Caldwell County, NC 63 Ashe County, NC 61 Alexander County, NC 59 Watauga County, NC 58 Catawba County, NC 43 Sarasota County, FL 35 New Hanover County, NC 35 Manatee County, FL 33 Mecklenburg County, NC 31 Johnston County, NC 30 Beaufort County, SC 29 Top Following Coun es Migra ons Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 15
Industry Characteris cs
Largest Industries
Manufacturing
Retail Trade Government
Health Care and Social Assistance
Accommoda on and Food Services
Other Services (except Public Administra on)
Construc on
Administra ve and Support and Waste Management and Remedia on Services
Wholesale Trade
Professional, Scien fic, and Technical Services
Transporta on and Warehousing
Finance and Insurance
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hun ng
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Informa on
Arts, Entertainment, and Recrea on Educa onal Services
U li es
Industry Jobs Na onal Average 0 1,000 2,000 3,000
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 16
Top Growing Industries
Industry Jobs Growth 0 200 400 600 800 Health Care and Social Assistance Retail Trade Transporta on and Warehousing Professional, Scien fic, and Technical Services Informa on U li es Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 17
Top Industry Employment Concentra on Industry Employment
Manufacturing
Retail Trade
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hun ng
Other Services (except Public Administra on)
Government
Health Care and Social Assistance
Wholesale Trade
Accommoda on and Food Services
Construc on
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Administra ve and Support and Waste Management and Remedia on Services
Arts, Entertainment, and Recrea on U li es
Informa on
Transporta on and Warehousing
Professional, Scien fic, and Technical Services
Finance and Insurance
Educa onal Services
Concentra on 0.00 1.00 2.00
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 18
Top Industry GRP
Manufacturing
Retail Trade Government
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Health Care and Social Assistance
Wholesale Trade
Construc on
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hun ng
Finance and Insurance
Accommoda on and Food Services
Transporta on and Warehousing
Informa on
Professional, Scien fic, and Technical Services
Other Services (except Public Administra on)
Administra ve and Support and Waste Management and Remedia on Services
Management of Companies and Enterprises
U li es
Arts, Entertainment, and Recrea on Educa onal Services
$0.000 $100.0M $200.0M $300.0M
Gross Regional Product
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 19
Top Industry Earnings
Wholesale
Finance and Insurance
Informa on
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Transporta on and Warehousing
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Manufacturing
Health Care and Social Assistance
Professional, Scien fic, and Technical Services
Government
Construc on
Retail Trade
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hun ng
Administra ve and Support and Waste Management and Remedia on Services
Other Services (except Public Administra on)
Accommoda on and Food Services
Educa onal Services
Arts, Entertainment, and Recrea on
Per Worker $0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 U li es
Earnings
Trade
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 20
Business Characteris cs
4,996 Companies Employ Your Workers
Online profiles for your workers men on 4,996 companies as employers, with the top 10 appearing below. In the last 12 months, 398 companies in Wilkes County, NC posted job pos ngs, with the top 10 appearing below. Lowe's 958 Wilkes Community College 305 Tyson Foods 250 Wilkes County Schools 227 Wilkes Regional Medical Center 98 Wake Forest Bap st Health 76 Samaritan's Purse Interna onal Limited 75 Ecmd 68 Walmart 60 Carolina West Wireless 57 Top Companies Profiles Tyson Foods 202 Atrium Health 184 Elon University 164 Wilkes County Schools 92 Samaritan's Purse Interna onal Limited … 88 BAYADA Home Health Care 57 CenterWell Home Health 56 Lowe's 56 Carrols Restaurant Group 43 Jeld-Wen 41 Top Companies Pos ng Unique Pos ngs Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 21
Business Size
*Business Data by DatabaseUSA.com is third-party data provided by Lightcast to its customers as a convenience, and Lightcast does not endorse or warrant its accuracy or consistency with other published Lightcast data. In most cases, the Business Count will not match total companies with profiles on the summary tab.
PercentageBusiness Count A 1 to 4 employees 34.9%823 A 5 to 9 employees 30.5%718 A 10 to 19 employees 21.1%497 A 20 to 49 employees 10.1%239 A 50 to 99 employees 1.9%44 A 100 to 249 employees 1.1%25 A 250 to 499 employees 0.3%6 A 500+ employees0.2%5 Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 22
Workforce Characteris cs
Office and Administra ve Support
Food Prepara on and Serving Related
Educa onal Instruc on and Library Management
Healthcare Prac oners and Technical
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Installa on, Maintenance, and Repair
Construc on and Extrac on
Healthcare Support
Business and Financial Opera ons
Personal Care and Service
Community and Social Service
Protec ve Service
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Computer and Mathema cal
Architecture and Engineering
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Legal
Military-only
Largest Occupa ons Occupa on Jobs Na onal Average 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500
and
Produc
Sales
Related
on Transporta on and Material Moving
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 23
Top Growing Occupa ons Occupa on Jobs Growth 0 100 200 300 400 Educa onal Instruc on and Library Sales and Related Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Life, Physical, and Social Science Legal Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 24
Top Occupa on Employment Concentra on
Community and Social Service Sales and Related
Transporta on and Material Moving
Educa onal Instruc on and Library
Installa on, Maintenance, and Repair
Food Prepara on and Serving Related
Construc on and Extrac on Personal Care and Service
Protec ve Service
Healthcare Support
Healthcare Prac oners and Technical
Office and Administra ve Support Management
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Military-only
Business and Financial Opera ons
Architecture and Engineering Legal
Computer and Mathema cal
Occupa on Employment Concentra on 0.00 1.00 2.00 Produc on Farming, Fishing,
Forestry
and
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 25
Top Occupa on Earnings
Management
Architecture and Engineering
Computer and Mathema cal
Healthcare Prac oners and Technical
Business and Financial Opera ons
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Legal
Community and Social Service
Installa on, Maintenance, and Repair
Educa onal Instruc on and Library
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Construc on and Extrac on Protec ve Service
Office and Administra ve Support
Transporta on and Material Moving
Produc on
Sales and Related
Military-only
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Healthcare Support
Personal Care and Service
Food Prepara on and Serving Related
Median Hourly Earnings
$0.00 $10.00 $20.00 $30.00
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 26
Healthcare Prac oners and Technical Management
Sales and Related
Transporta on and Material Moving
Healthcare Support
Food Prepara on and Serving Related
Educa onal Instruc on and Library
Office and Administra ve Support
Installa on, Maintenance, and Repair
Produc on
Community and Social Service
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Business and Financial Opera ons
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Computer and Mathema cal
Construc on and Extrac on
Architecture and Engineering
Protec ve Service
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Personal Care and Service
Top Posted Occupa ons Unique Average Monthly Pos ngs 0 10 20 30 40 50
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Underemployment
Jobs Requiring Ed.
No Formal Educa on Required
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Some College, Non-Degree Award
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Graduate Degree and Higher
Popula on at Ed.
Level
Level 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 28
Educa onal Pipeline
In 2021, there were 1,373 graduates in Wilkes County, NC. This pipeline has grown by 98% over the last 5 years. The highest share of these graduates come from "Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies" (Associate's), "Automobile/Automo ve Mechanics Technology/Technician" (Cer ficate), and "Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Produc on" (Cer ficate).
Cer ficate Associate's Bachelor's Master's or Higher Wilkes Community College1,373 School Total Graduates (2021) Graduate Trend (20172021) Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 29
In-Demand Skills
Top Specialized Skills Na onal Average 0 100 200 300 400 500 Nursing Merchandising Home Health Care Selling Techniques Inventory Management Cash Register Housekeeping Restaurant Opera on Warehousing Data Collec on Economy Overview Lightcast Q3 2023 Data Set | lightcast.io 30
