Moving to Mount Gilead, North Carolina

by btobers · Published June 25, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Mount Gilead, North Carolina is a small town located in Montgomery County. It has a population of around 2,000 people and is situated in the foothills of the Uwharrie Mountains. The town has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Temperatures range from an average high of 84°F in July to an average low of 32°F in January.

The history of Mount Gilead dates back to 1770 when it was founded as a trading post. It was incorporated as a town in 1882 and has remained relatively unchanged since then. The town is known for its rich cultural heritage which includes many historical sites such as the Old Brick Church, the Morrow Mountain State Park, and the Uwharrie National Forest.

In terms of politics, Mount Gilead follows the same Democratic-Republican trend seen throughout North Carolina. The mayor is currently Jerry Wayne White and all five members of the Town Council are Democrats.

The economy in Mount Gilead is driven by agriculture and tourism; the town boasts several local farms where visitors can purchase fresh produce or pick their own fruits and vegetables. There are also several small businesses that provide services to locals and tourists alike such as restaurants, shops, hotels, and other attractions.

Mount Gilead is home to two schools: East Montgomery High School (grades 9-12) and Mount Gilead Elementary School (grades K-8). Both schools have excellent programs for students with an emphasis on academic excellence.

Finally, some notable landmarks include Lake Tillery which offers fishing opportunities and recreational activities like boating; Morrow Mountain State Park which offers hiking trails; Morrow Mountain Winery which produces award-winning wines; Uwharrie National Forest which provides plenty of outdoor activities; Old Brick Church which was built in 1868; Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge which protects over 5500 acres of wetland habitat;and finally Stokes Bridge Road Covered Bridge which was built over 100 years ago by local craftsmen using traditional methods that still stand today!

Population: 1,389. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,387 (-0.1% change)
Males: 621 (44.7%), Females: 768 (55.3%)

Zip code: 27306

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.3 years
Median household income: $31,250
Median house value: $74,500

Population by Race

Races in Mount Gilead:

Black (50.0%)
White Non-Hispanic (46.0%)
Other Asian (1.4%)
American Indian (0.8%)
Asian Indian (0.7%)
Two or more races (0.7%)
Hispanic (0.6%)

Ancestries: United States (6.8%), English (6.8%), Scotch-Irish (4.4%), Irish (4.2%), German (2.5%), Scottish (2.5%).

Land area: 3.3 square miles

Population by Education

Mount Gilead, North Carolina is a small town located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As of 2019, its population was estimated to be just over 1,500 people. The town is known for its vibrant culture and close-knit community. The majority of the population is white, with African Americans making up about 20% of the population.

The cost of living in Mount Gilead is relatively low compared to other cities in North Carolina and the US as a whole. Housing costs are especially affordable, with median home prices around $100,000 and median rent about $700 per month. Utility costs are also lower than average, with electricity bills averaging around $100 per month and water bills around $40 per month. Groceries are also affordable; a family of four can expect to spend an average of $600-$800 per month on food items. Taxes are higher than in some other states but still relatively low compared to other areas in North Carolina; sales tax is 7% while income tax ranges from 6-7%.

For population 25 years and over in Mount Gilead

High school or higher: 74.2%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.5%
Unemployed: 6.1%
Mean travel time to work: 22.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Mount Gilead town

Never married: 26.3%
Now married: 55.2%
Separated: 2.4%
Widowed: 10.6%
Divorced: 5.5%

1.5% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +52 (+3.9%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Mount Gilead:

FIRSTHEALTH MONTGOMERY MEMORIAL HOSP (about 13 miles; TROY, NC)
STANLY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL INC (about 17 miles; ALBEMARLE, NC)
ANSON COUNTY HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; WADESBORO, NC)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Mount Gilead:

MOORE COUNTY (about 44 miles; PINEHURST/SOUTHERN PINES, NC; Abbreviation: SOP)
PIEDMONT TRIAD INTERNATIONAL (about 60 miles; GREENSBORO, NC; Abbreviation: GSO)
CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTL (about 65 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Abbreviation: CLT)

Other public-use airports nearest to Mount Gilead:

ANSON COUNTY (about 15 miles; WADESBORO, NC; Abbreviation: AFP)
STANLY COUNTY (about 18 miles; ALBEMARLE, NC; Abbreviation: VUJ)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY (about 20 miles; STAR, NC; Abbreviation: 43A)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Mount Gilead:

ROWAN-CABARRUS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 46 miles; SALISBURY, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,499)
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE (about 51 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Full-time enrollment: 13,706)
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY (about 52 miles; HIGH POINT, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,564)
GUILFORD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 54 miles; JAMESTOWN, NC; Full-time enrollment: 4,810)
CENTRAL PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 56 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Full-time enrollment: 7,967)
WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY (about 58 miles; WINSTON-SALEM, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,508)
NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL ST UNIV (about 60 miles; Greensboro, NC; Full-time enrollment: 6,970)

Schools

Public high school in Mount Gilead:

WEST MONTGOMERY HIGH (Students: 680; Location: 147 WARRIOR DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Mount Gilead:

WEST MIDDLE (Students: 589; Location: 129 NC HWY 109S; Grades: 06 – 08)
MOUNT GILEAD ELEMENTARY (Students: 381; Location: 100 SCHOOL STREET; Grades: PK – 05)