Wilkes
Georgia

What stands out

Against every county in America, Wilkes County is unusual in three ways: home internet speed is in the bottom 6% of American counties (72 Mbps), the home price against local income is in the bottom 7% of American counties (1.4 years of income), and the uninsured rate is in the top 7% of American counties (18.1%). Within Georgia it ranks 8th of 159 counties for home internet speed, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Wilkes County, Georgia. 9,610 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +22).

Georgia moved to a flat income tax in 2024 with a rate scheduled to fall each year, and it exempts up to $65,000 of retirement income per person for residents 65 and over. Metro Atlanta holds more than half the state's population and its airport is the busiest in the world by passengers. Property taxes vary widely by county because school districts set most of the rate.

Money

The typical household here brings in $51,780 a year, lower than 75% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,819. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 71% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,584 a year.

Home

The median home costs $168K, cheaper than 77% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $680 a month. Property tax is 1.29% of home value, roughly $1,194 a year on that median home, higher than 77% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.5 per 1,000 residents, higher than 83% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.2 years, shorter than 78% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 8.3 per 10,000 people. 18.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.81 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 73% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 13 points. 67% of eligible voters turned out. Under Georgia law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 64°F, highs near 76 and lows near 52, warmer than 79% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 16 out of 100, safer than 84% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 72 Mbps down, slower than 94% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.