Medicare in Wilkes County by the numbers
| Wilkes County | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 2,314 | 1,696,217 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 24.3% | 15.4% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 2,864 | 2,041,931 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,816 | 1,148,032 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 63.4% | 56.2% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Wilkes County ranks 116th of 159 Georgia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 2,314 people in that age group, or 24.3% of residents (statewide: 15.4%). The 740 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 55% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 34% is 75 to 84 and 12% is 85 or older. Medicare Advantage enrollment in Wilkes County is 63.4% of people with Medicare, higher than the Georgia average of 56.2%. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Wilkes County
The USDA classifies Wilkes County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 2,939 Medicare beneficiaries in Wilkes County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Georgia average of 73. About 18% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 12%. Where many people have both, special plans for dual-eligible members can matter; see our Medicaid and dual eligible guide, since availability varies by plan and area.
Among people in Original Medicare in Wilkes County, CMS reported about 656 emergency room visits and 207 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (560) and close to it for hospital stays (223). About 10% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Wilkes County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Wilkes County; we help Wilkes County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Wilkes County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Wilkes County:
- Wills Memorial Hospital — Washington (critical access; government-owned; emergency services)
Being located in the county is not the same as being in your plan’s network. Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own network, so we confirm that your hospital and your doctors are included before you choose. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Communities and ZIP codes in Wilkes County
People in Wilkes County live in communities such as Washington (3,634), Tignall (491), Rayle (157) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Wilkes County number 3: 30660, 30668, 30673. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Wilkes County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- Georgia Access, Georgia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: Georgia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Wilkes County residents
Here is what we can help Wilkes County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Let’s check your Wilkes County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Wilkes County residents
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Wilkes County compared with similar Georgia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telfair County | 2,312 | 68.6% | 25% | Rural |
| Macon County | 2,369 | 71.5% | 23% | Rural |
| Pulaski County | 2,247 | 56.9% | 14% | Rural |
| Seminole County | 2,382 | 58.5% | 17% | Rural |
| Jeff Davis County | 2,432 | 56.6% | 19% | Rural |
| Hancock County | 2,194 | 68.8% | 19% | Rural |
See every Georgia county in our Georgia directory or go to our Georgia Medicare hub.