City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Walnut Cove, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Walnut Cove - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,046
Residents
$44,700
Median income
$184,100
Median home
$1,232
Median rent (state)

Walnut Cove - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Walnut Cove places in the 12th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

12th
percentile, household income
38th
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Walnut Cove, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,046 residents in Walnut Cove, a small town within North Carolina. Walnut Cove households earn a median of $44,700 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.6%. Home values in Walnut Cove run a median of $184,100, and the median resident age is 40.2 years. 17.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 15 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,232 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 39.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

2,046 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$44,700 /yr

Poverty 18.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Walnut Cove compare to other US cities?

Here's how Walnut Cove stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 38% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Walnut Cove against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Walnut Cove toward the top of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Walnut Cove ranks #164 - the 78th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Walnut Cove only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#522 of 700
25th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#252 of 746
62nd percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#384 of 708
46th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#164 of 746
78th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#478 of 746
36th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

12thIncome percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Walnut Cove's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$184,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 62% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Walnut Cove $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Walnut Cove, NC Walnut Cove, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Walnut Cove, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Walnut Cove, NC median $44,700/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Walnut Cove, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Walnut Cove, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,046
Median Income
$44,700
Median Home Value
$184,100
Median Age
40.2
Poverty Rate
18.6%
Labor force participation
53.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.3%

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,570 residents1,580 residents1,590 residents1,600 residents1,610 residents1,620 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,582 residents 1,609 residents ▲ +1.7%
Walnut Cove's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
15
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
5
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 3
2021 0
2022 4
2023 4
2024 15

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
89.2%
Carpool
9.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
1.6%

Based on 920 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Walnut Cove sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,232/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
39.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Claremont
2,051 people
Salem
2,035 people
Ramseur
2,061 people
Coats
2,029 people
Pine Level
2,072 people
Hemby Bridge
2,079 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Walnut Cove's 2,046 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oakes, ND
2,046 people
Tyler Run, PA
2,046 people
Linden, CA
2,047 people
Plantsville, CT
2,045 people
Independence, LA
2,045 people
Sterlington, LA
2,045 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Walnut Cove's $44,700 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Plainfield, VT
$44,698 median income
Bristol, VA
$44,706 median income
Crab Orchard, TN
$44,708 median income
Agra, KS
$44,688 median income
Burns, KS
$44,688 median income
Grainfield, KS
$44,688 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Walnut Cove, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Walnut Cove, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 61.2% 27.7% 10.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.0% White 61.2% Black or African American 27.7% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 10.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Walnut Cove compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Walnut Cove (this city) 2,046 $44,700
Claremont 2,051 $59,583
Salem 2,035 $66,653
Ramseur 2,061 $29,508
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Walnut Cove, NC?

What is the population of Walnut Cove, NC? +

2,046 people live in Walnut Cove, NC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Walnut Cove, NC? +

Walnut Cove households earn a median of $44,700 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Walnut Cove? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Walnut Cove; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Walnut Cove, NC? +

A typical home in Walnut Cove is worth $184,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.