North Wilkesboro is a town in
Wilkes County,
North Carolina,
United States. The population was approximately 4,116 at the 2000 census and is now 4,245 as of the 2010 census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of
Lowe's Home Improvement, which continues to have a major presence in the community. The town is also known as one of the birthplaces of the sport of
stock-car racing, and the
North Wilkesboro Speedway was the first
NASCAR-sanctioned track. North Wilkesboro's major industries include furniture, mirror, and textile production. Due to the town's proximity to the nearby
Blue Ridge Mountains and the numerous tourist venues there, North Wilkesboro has been nicknamed the "Key to the Blue Ridge".