Wilkes County, NC truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Wilkes County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
15 of 431 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Wilkes County compares with North Carolina
Wilkes County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Wilkes County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Wilkes County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 57.4 | 61.3 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.9 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.74 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 1.1× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.6% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.9% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.3% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 6.9% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 34% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.2% | 41.0% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 21.1% | 20.4% | 24.8% | same |
Wilkes County sits below North Carolina on in rain, sleet or snow. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
The headline for Wilkes County: US-421 4 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road in Wilkes County.
Overview
Wilkes County has recorded 431 truck crashes since 2015, with 318 people injured and 12 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 10 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 11.1% of truck crashes; the quietest is July at 4.4%.
November through March accounts for 46.2% of truck crashes here, compared with 41.0% in North Carolina.
The busiest hour is 3–4 pm, with 8.4% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 1.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (North Carolina: 1.7%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-421 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (4). It is followed by US-21 (2), SR-16 (1) and SR-268 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 15 of the truck crashes here, or 3.5%, compared with 2.6% in North Carolina.
Route planning tips for Wilkes County fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to US-421 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 26.3% of truck crashes here, more than North Carolina; adjust start times where you can.
- 1.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above North Carolina; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Wilkes County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Wilkes County) |
|---|---|
| US-421 | 4 |
| US-21 | 2 |
| SR-16 | 1 |
| SR-268 | 1 |
| Ssr-1372 | 1 |
| Ssr-1931 Greenhorn Rd | 1 |
| Ssr-2303 Clingman Rd | 1 |
| Ssr-2304 Chatham Rd | 1 |
| Ssr-2324 Red White And Blue Rd | 1 |
| Ssr-2462 Country Club Rd Ext | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Wilkes County) |
|---|---|
| Call St | 2 |
| River St | 2 |
| US-421 | 2 |
| Wilkesboro Ave | 2 |
| 2Nd St | 1 |
| 6Th Street | 1 |
| Bojangles | 1 |
| Chatham Street | 1 |
Wilkes County at a glance
| Population | 66,186 |
| Land area | 753.7 sq mi |
| Density | 88 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $51,750 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Wilkes County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 28 | — | 1.8 |
| 2000s | 29 | +3% | 1.8 |
| 2010s | 39 | +35% | 1.0 |
| 2020s | 34 | -13% | 1.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 28 a year in the 1990s and 34 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.0 a year in 2016–19 and 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Wilkes County
ZIP codes in Wilkes County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Wilkes County
How many truck crashes happen in Wilkes County?
431 truck crashes have been reported in Wilkes County since 2015, with 12 deaths and 318 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Wilkes County?
NHTSA data shows US-421 with 4 fatal large-truck crashes in Wilkes County since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Wilkes County?
Truck crashes in Wilkes County peak in January, with 11.1% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Wilkes County?
Since 2015, Wilkes County has reported 15 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.5% of its truck crashes.
How does Wilkes County compare with North Carolina for truck crashes?
Wilkes County records 57.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 61.3 across North Carolina.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Wilkes County?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.