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Hays, NC
Census-designated place in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
Population
1,053
Land area
6.2sq mi
People per sq mi
171
ZIP codes
0
Hays and its ZIP codes
Hays at a glance
- The median household income is $55,035, 24% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $183,800 (36% below North Carolina).
Local data for Hays, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Hays, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$55,035
Poverty rate
4.9%
Median home value
$183,800
Homeownership
94.5%
Bachelor's or higher
16.9%
Median age
48.2
Average commute
25.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (132), Honduran Americans (128), German Americans (73).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Wilkes County. PPP loans are for Hays.
Unemployment rate
3.7%
Aug 2026, -0.7 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$51,964
18,897 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$52,892
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$488M
FY 2026, $7,392 per person
How people get to work
Hays, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone84.0%
- Carpooled12.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home3.9%
Average one-way commute: 25.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Hays, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
737
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
26
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 27°F
51.7 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Hays, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
36.1%
U.S. 33.3% +2.8 pts
Diabetes
11.4%
U.S. 12.1% -0.7 pts
Smoking
15.8%
U.S. 12.8% +3.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.3%
U.S. 11.1% -1.8 pts
Cities near Hays
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| MulberryCensus-designated place | 3 mi | 5.1 |
| FairplainsCensus-designated place | 3.6 mi | 4.2 |
| North WilkesboroTown | 4.7 mi | 6.6 |
| CricketCensus-designated place | 6.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Millers CreekCensus-designated place | 7.6 mi | 4.5 |
| WilkesboroTown | 7.8 mi | 6.6 |
| RondaTown | 9.6 mi | 1.1 |
| Moravian FallsCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 5.1 |
| Pleasant HillCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 2.6 |
| ElkinTown | 15 mi | 6.8 |
| JonesvilleTown | 15 mi | 2.9 |
| SpartaTown | 18 mi | 2.3 |
| Love ValleyTown | 19 mi | 1 |
| TaylorsvilleTown | 23 mi | 2.4 |
| BoonvilleTown | 23 mi | 1.2 |
| JeffersonTown | 23 mi | 2.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Hays, NC in?
- Hays is in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Hays, NC?
- About 1,053 people live in Hays, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Hays?
- Nearby places include Mulberry (3 mi), Fairplains (3.6 mi), North Wilkesboro (4.7 mi), Cricket (6.8 mi), Millers Creek (7.6 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023