Pilot Mountain, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pilot Mountain, North Carolina had a total population of 1,483, the 393rd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $49,200, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Pilot Mountain Quick Facts
How Pilot Mountain Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,584 | 1,483 | -6.4% |
| Median household income | $48,239 | $49,200 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $185,200 | $203,600 | +9.9% |
How Pilot Mountain Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pilot Mountain Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Surry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Airy | 10,633 | $40,275 | 26.9% | $181,900 |
| Elkin | 4,043 | $60,740 | 22.3% | $226,900 |
| Dobson | 1,652 | $43,750 | 22.4% | $173,900 |
| Flat Rock | 1,062 | $42,018 | 11.9% | $95,400 |
| Toast | 893 | $35,111 | 14.0% | $104,800 |
| White Plains | 795 | $44,242 | 10.7% | $231,700 |
| Lowgap | 264 | $60,368 | 8.7% | $163,500 |
Cities Similar to Pilot Mountain
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denton | 1,506 | $50,847 | $167,400 | 11.7% | 14.8% |
| West Jefferson | 1,436 | $46,827 | $232,400 | 22.2% | 20.8% |
| Bethel | 1,544 | $52,961 | $107,800 | 14.8% | 16.8% |
| Gorman | 1,591 | $47,297 | N/A | 22.5% | 18.8% |
| New Hope | 1,487 | $58,667 | $162,800 | 40.6% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Pilot Mountain is a small community located in North Carolina, within Surry County. The total population is 1,483. It ranks as the 393rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pilot Mountain is 42.0 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pilot Mountain is $49,200. This is 32% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $203,600. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pilot Mountain has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.7% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pilot Mountain, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina?
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina has a population of 1,483 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pilot Mountain, NC?
The median household income in Pilot Mountain is $49,200, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pilot Mountain, NC?
The poverty rate in Pilot Mountain is 12.4%. This means approximately 184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina?
Pilot Mountain's population is 91.7% White, 1.8% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pilot Mountain, NC?
The median home value in Pilot Mountain is $203,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Pilot Mountain, North Carolina?
23.6% of adults (25+) in Pilot Mountain hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.