Walnut Cove, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Walnut Cove is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 2,046. Residents earn $44,700 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
2,046 Population 809/sq mi density
$44,700 Median Income $23,794 per capita
$184,100 Home Value $231,293 Zillow
$642 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$44,700 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$184,100 home value, $642/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,700
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $184,100
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.3%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $642
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.9%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.6%
50% higher than US avg

How Walnut Cove Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,046
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density809/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 61%

Economy

B
Median Income$44,700
Per Capita$23,794
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty18.6%
County GDP$1,756M
Commute26 min

Housing

A
Home Value$184,100
Rent$642
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$231,293

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain47.4 in/yr
Elevation635 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.3%
High School+93.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute26 min
Libraries4

Is Walnut Cove a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Walnut Cove receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Walnut Cove offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Walnut Cove is $44,700, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. The poverty rate of 18.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Walnut Cove is $184,100, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $642 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Walnut Cove enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.4 inches, including 8.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Walnut Cove has a population of 2,046 with a density of 809 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (61.2%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 27.7% Black.

Population

2,046
Total Population
809
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Walnut Cove vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.9%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.1%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Walnut Cove vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Walnut Cove is $44,700, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Walnut Cove vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,700
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,794
Avg Weekly Wage$803
IRS Avg AGI$61,320

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.6%
50% 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 Rate1.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.0 min
Work from Home1.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Walnut Cove is $184,100, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $642 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $231,293.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$184,100
35% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$231,293

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$642
45% 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-Occupied52.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,909
17% below US avg
Effective Rate1.58%
In Walnut Cove, 40.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 28.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Walnut Cove vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.9%
27% above US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure37.7%
Asthma12.0%
COPD8.4%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.1%
Physical Inactivity28.1%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.2%
Checkup Rate78.5%
Premature Death12,067/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access65.7%
Healthcare Facilities54

Crime Rates: Walnut Cove vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Safety Score

Walnut Cove has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.8°F
7% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.4 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall8.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation635 ft (194 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.6 km²)
Population Density809/sq mi
Coordinates36.2935°N, 80.1409°W
County FIPS37169
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% 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+17.3%
49% below US avg
High School+93.3%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density809/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities54
Restaurants58
Retail Stores113

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.0 min
Work from Home1.6%

Nearby Cities

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