Walnut Cove, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Walnut Cove, North Carolina had a total population of 2,115, the 333rd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $44,815, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Walnut Cove Quick Facts
How Walnut Cove 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 | 2,046 | 2,115 | +3.4% |
| Median household income | $44,700 | $44,815 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $184,100 | $217,300 | +18.0% |
How Walnut Cove 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Walnut Cove Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Stokes County
Cities Similar to Walnut Cove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biscoe | 2,116 | $45,190 | $128,700 | 9.4% | 34.9% |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | $141,800 | 7.1% | 18.4% |
| Burnsville | 2,082 | $50,997 | $243,500 | 25.0% | 26.1% |
| Taylorsville | 2,201 | $39,423 | $237,300 | 15.0% | 27.7% |
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | $172,400 | 19.1% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Walnut Cove is a small community located in North Carolina, within Stokes County. The total population is 2,115. It ranks as the 333rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Walnut Cove is 40.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Walnut Cove is $44,815. This is 38% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $217,300. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 54.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Walnut Cove is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Walnut Cove, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Walnut Cove, North Carolina?
Walnut Cove, North Carolina has a population of 2,115 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Walnut Cove, NC?
The median household income in Walnut Cove is $44,815, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Walnut Cove, NC?
The poverty rate in Walnut Cove is 18.4%. This means approximately 372 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Walnut Cove, North Carolina?
Walnut Cove's population is 60.3% White, 28.5% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Walnut Cove, NC?
The median home value in Walnut Cove is $217,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Walnut Cove, North Carolina?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Walnut Cove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.