Wilkes County Medicare at a glance
| Wilkes County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 15,483 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.5% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 19,520 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 13,262 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 67.9% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Wilkes County ranks 38th of 100 North Carolina counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 15,483 people in that age group, or 23.5% of residents (statewide: 17.6%). The 4,878 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 56% ages 65 to 74, 33% ages 75 to 84 and 11% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Wilkes County is 67.9% of people with Medicare, higher than the North Carolina average of 57.9%. 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 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 18,994 Medicare beneficiaries in Wilkes County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 17% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 13%. 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 682 emergency room visits and 230 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (572) and close to it for hospital stays (210). About 9% 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:
- Wilkes Regional Medical Center — North Wilkesboro (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Where people live in Wilkes County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Wilkes County at North Wilkesboro (4,338), Wilkesboro (3,661), Ronda (441), Elkin (73), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Wilkes County, that means areas such as 28606, 28624, 28635, 28649, 28651, 28654, 28659, 28665, 28669, 28670, 28685, 28697, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
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.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’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: group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance and ICHRA.
Ready to compare plans in Wilkes County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
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- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Wilkes County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson County | 15,309 | 54.2% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Surry County | 15,258 | 74.2% | 19% | Smaller city/town |
| Rutherford County | 14,799 | 59.1% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Haywood County | 16,420 | 53.9% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
| Stanly County | 12,595 | 64.3% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Robeson County | 19,007 | 75.0% | 27% | Smaller city/town |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.