Wilkes County, North Carolina is truly one of the loveliest counties in the state.  The Blue Ridge Parkway, which is ranked as 'America's most scenic drive', borders Wilkes on three sides. Home to the W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, a man-made lake in the Yadkin River Valley, Wilkes County has been said to be 'where the mountains meet the water'. For sports and nature enthusiasts, Stone Mountain State Park and Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest are wonderlands in which to explore the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge area.

Wilkes County is situated 45 miles from both Winston-Salem and Hickory, and only 80 miles from Charlotte, making it an attractive place for new business too. The Wilkes Economic Development Corporation has provided strong incentives for recruiting new companies, while the State of North Carolina offers incentives of its own.  The Wilkes Community College provides free business and industry training to ensure incoming firms that they will have a skilled work-force.

Wilkes County is the birthplace of the Lowes Companies, and has become home to divisions of Tyson Foods, La-Z-Boy, The Interflex Group, as well as others.  The high quality of living, low business operating costs, and an abundance of land available all insure the County's future growth.

Wilkes County's population in 2003 was 66,140.  The climate varies widely through out the county due to the changing elevation levels, but for the lower elevations, the average January temperature is 38 degrees, and the July temperature is 80.  Ten inches of snow fall along with fifty inches of rain, in the lower elevations.

Wilkesboro is the county seat, a charming, historic small town where the well-known Merlefest is held.  Wilkes County, NC is steeped in history and the Wilkes Historical Museum preserves it all.

Whether one is searching for the beauty of the mountains and the serenity of the lakes,  or a promising new place to start a business or a family, Wilkes County is the place to begin.