Pinnacle, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pinnacle, North Carolina had a total population of 540, the 574th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $23,750, which is 67% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 39.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 67% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Pinnacle Quick Facts
How Pinnacle 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 | 416 | 540 | +29.8% |
| Median household income | $30,109 | $23,750 | -21.1% |
How Pinnacle 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pinnacle Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Stokes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Cove | 2,115 | $44,815 | 18.4% | $217,300 |
| Danbury | 197 | $72,250 | 10.3% | $181,300 |
Cities Similar to Pinnacle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potters Hill | 595 | N/A | $112,800 | 13.1% | 37.6% |
| Seaboard | 585 | $25,776 | $91,500 | 7.6% | 30.9% |
| Dobbins Heights | 560 | $18,958 | $56,000 | 3.5% | 50.0% |
| Silver City | 592 | $20,893 | $97,300 | 12.0% | 37.2% |
| Alexis | 635 | N/A | $196,000 | 6.8% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 540, Pinnacle's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Pinnacle is a small community located in North Carolina, within Stokes County. The total population is 540. It ranks as the 574th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pinnacle is 52.7 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 6.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pinnacle is $23,750. This is 67% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 71% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 39.1%. This is 200% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. 68.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pinnacle is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.2%. The Black or African American population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
8.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 76.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pinnacle, 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 Pinnacle, North Carolina?
Pinnacle, North Carolina has a population of 540 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pinnacle, NC?
The median household income in Pinnacle is $23,750, which is 71% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pinnacle, NC?
The poverty rate in Pinnacle is 39.1%. This means approximately 211 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pinnacle, North Carolina?
Pinnacle's population is 72.4% White, 8.0% Black, 10.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pinnacle, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Pinnacle — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Pinnacle, North Carolina?
8.8% of adults (25+) in Pinnacle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.