Real Estate Investing in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina (28659)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Wilkes County • Population: 21,557 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28659 (North Wilkesboro, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in North Wilkesboro, NC (28659)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $212,478
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $50,351
% Renters 34.2%

Market Analysis: 28659 North Wilkesboro

The 28659 ZIP in North Wilkesboro, NC is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $212K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $212K asset, 28659 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 28659 among NC's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 28659 ZIP's population of 21,557 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.

The 28659 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in North Wilkesboro:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
North Wilkesboro, NC Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
5.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from North Wilkesboro, NC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 28659

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$70,692/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $163,728 $990 4.4% +8.4% $81,864
3BR $225,473 $1,320 4.2% +7.9% $75,158
4BR $282,770 $1,650 4.2% +8.1% $70,692

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$227K$194K$161K$127K$94K$61KJun 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28659 Compare?

Metric 28659 North Wilkesboro North Wilkesboro, NC North Carolina
Home Value $212,478 $212,478 N/A $330,565
5-Year CAGR 5.6% 5.6% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $891 $891 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 28659? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28659 (North Wilkesboro, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.6%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on North Wilkesboro, NC metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
3/3
79%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $212,478
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 19.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 8.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
8.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28659

Population: 21,557

💰 Median Household Income
$50,351
This area
$50,351
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.2%
This area
34.2%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.7%
This area
15.7%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.5 years
This area
43.5 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.3%
This area
8.3%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 84.9%
Other/Mixed 9.4%
Hispanic/Latino 6.8%
Black/African American 5.5%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.3%
This area
13.3%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 28659

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$12,482 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

C C Wright Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
327 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,482 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Mulberry Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,482 Per Student
B Good

North Wilkes Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
441 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,482 Per Student
B Good

North Wilkesboro Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
310 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,482 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 331 Off-Campus Students
C+
Wilkes Community College
2,405 students · 6.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of investing works in North Wilkesboro, NC?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in North Wilkesboro, NC. With home values at $212K and rents near $891/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.

Where do rents currently stand in North Wilkesboro, NC?

The typical rental in North Wilkesboro, NC commands about $891/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $212K purchase basis.

Are homes affordable in North Wilkesboro, NC?

North Wilkesboro, NC home values average about $212K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $891/mo in monthly income.

How tight is the rental market in North Wilkesboro, NC?

North Wilkesboro, NC carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect reliable absorption at market rents of $891/mo.

How strong is tenant demand in North Wilkesboro, NC?

Working renters make up the core of the North Wilkesboro, NC tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 28659 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 28659 ranks in North Wilkesboro, NC

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