Pilot Mountain, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Pilot Mountain is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,584. Residents earn $48,239 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,584 Population 776/sq mi density
$48,239 Median Income $33,276 per capita
$185,200 Home Value $263,884 Zillow
$895 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
272 Violent Crime/100K 7,201 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$48,239 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$185,200 home value, $895/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
272 violent crimes/100K (28% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,239
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $185,200
34% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 272/100K
28% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.7%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $895
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.0%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.6%
18% higher than US avg

How Pilot Mountain Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,584
Median Age40.7 yrs
Density776/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$48,239
Per Capita$33,276
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty14.6%
County GDP$1,756M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$185,200
Rent$895
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$263,884

Crime

F
Violent272/100K
Property7,201/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault136/100K
Burglary1,766/100K

Health

Obesity38.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.5%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation1,112 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.7%
High School+93.2%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute26 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Pilot Mountain a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Pilot Mountain receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Pilot Mountain has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Pilot Mountain is $48,239, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. 14.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Pilot Mountain is $185,200, 34% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $895 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Pilot Mountain is below the national average at 272 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 7,201 per 100,000, 267% above the national average.

Education

21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Pilot Mountain enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Pilot Mountain has a population of 1,584 with a density of 776 people per square mile. The median age is 40.7 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.2%), with 3.3% Black.

Population

1,584
Total Population
776
People / sq mi
40.7yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.6%
Female 47.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Pilot Mountain vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Pilot Mountain vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Pilot Mountain is $48,239, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Pilot Mountain vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,239
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,276
Avg Weekly Wage$803
IRS Avg AGI$61,320

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.6%
18% above US avg
Establishments (County)844
County GDP$1,756M

Business (County)

Restaurants58
Healthcare54
Retail113
Manufacturing31

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,909
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.0 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Pilot Mountain is $185,200, 34% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $895 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $263,884.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$185,200
34% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$263,884
Median List Price$267,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$267,450
$/Sq Ft$147
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio95.2%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory8

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$895
23% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied53.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,909
17% below US avg
Effective Rate1.57%
In Pilot Mountain, 38.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.5% report depression. 21.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Pilot Mountain vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.0%
18% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma11.4%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity21.6%
Depression28.5%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress11.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.4%
Checkup Rate78.1%
Premature Death12,067/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access65.7%
Healthcare Facilities54
Pilot Mountain has a violent crime rate of 272 per 100,000 residents, 28% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 7,201 per 100,000 (267% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Pilot Mountain vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent271.7/100K
28% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape67.9/100K
Robbery67.9/100K
Assault135.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property7,201.1/100K
267% above US avg
Burglary1,766.3/100K
Theft5,298.9/100K
Vehicle Theft135.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Pilot Mountain has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.4°F
6% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,112 ft (339 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density776/sq mi
Coordinates36.3839°N, 80.4742°W
County FIPS37169
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.4%
D 19.8%

Winner: Republican by 59.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.7%
36% below US avg
High School+93.2%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density776/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities54
Restaurants58
Retail Stores113

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.0 min
Work from Home4.9%

Nearby Cities

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