Rolling hills and mountain streams surround the small community of Pinch, located about 13 miles north of Charleston. This rural area in central West Virginia is known for its small-town feel and housing costs that are comparable to those in the larger city nearby. One main road winds through the community and is dotted with a few shops and restaurants, while more options are a short drive away in Big Chimney and Elkview. With the Elk River flowing by, recreation is easily accessible from this quiet mountain town.
Pinch offers a quiet lifestyle surrounded by stunning scenery just minutes from Charleston's city life.
The golf course at Coonskin Park is maintained with lush greens and long driving ranges.
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What to expect for home styles and prices
Most houses in the area are ranch-style, split-level or Colonial Revival homes, often in suburban settings. Homes are close together, with a median lot size of under a quarter-acre, and the properties typically have a few trees scattered on the lawn, with thicker foliage surrounding the neighborhoods. If you drive further out from the center of the community, you can find some rural homes on larger lots, sometimes with barns or livestock facilities. Prices in the area range from the upper $100,000s to the mid-$400,000s.
Many split-level homes in Pinch have brick exteriors and large yards.
Many ranch-style homes exude southern charm in the community.
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Where residents shop and eat in and around Pinch
Most of the local shops and restaurants are on Pinch Road or Indian Creek Road, where you can start your morning with a coffee and a pastry at Rise & Grind Café or grab dinner at Husson’s Pizza. Other businesses in town include Dollar General, a hardware store and Good Family Pharmacy. For groceries, you’ll have a short drive north. “They don’t have a Kroger, but they have a Smith’s grocery, which is comparable,” says Lisa Eden, a Realtor at Old Colony Realtors with 30 years of experience. “It’s a family-owned store, but it’s been there forever.” Smith’s Foodfair is in a small shopping center on Elk River Road, where you’ll also find a Walgreens and Gino’s Pizza & Spaghetti House.
Locally owned restaurants nearby include the popular Rolling Smoke BBQ.
Tudor's Biscuit World is known for its homemade biscuits.
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Outdoor activities range from lakes and rivers to sports fields
There are no true parks in Pinch, but there are several ways to enjoy the outdoors. Some things you can do include:
Fishing at the privately owned Indian Lake, which is stocked with trout and catfish
Kayaking on the Elk River, with a launch point just north of the community at the Blue Creek Bridge
Hiking, fishing, swimming or playing golf at Coonskin Park in Charleston
There are also Little League Baseball fields on New Hope Road for the area’s young athletes.
Coonskin Park near Pinch offers a golf course for residents and visitors.
Try out new tricks at the skate park in Coonskin Park.
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Students can attend a modern high school with strong academics
Students in Pinch are served by Kanawha County Schools, and they can attend Herbert Hoover High School. “The high school is state-of-the-art. It was just built a few years ago, and they have an amazing sports program,” Eden says. The original building was damaged by floods in 2016, and the new school opened for the 2023-24 school year. The Huskies have won several state championships in sports like softball, baseball, volleyball and golf, and students can study career and technical education courses in business and millwork/cabinetry. The district also offers magnet programs, and West Virginia allows out-of-district transfers.
Pinch Elementary School excels in fostering a nurturing learning atmosphere.
Elkview Middle School emphasizes academic excellence, with a focus on STEM education.
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Easy highway access for commuting around Kanawha County
U.S. Highway 119 and Interstate 79 are each nearby, making it easy to commute throughout the region. The community sits between two interstate on-ramps, with residents often getting on in Big Chimney if they’re heading south and Elkview if they’re heading north. Downtown Charleston is about 13 miles south, a drive that typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. The I-79/I-77 interchange is about 10 miles away.
Annual reunion brings generations back to Pinch
The community is notable for its annual Pinch Reunion, America's longest-running community reunion. First held in 1902, the annual gathering brings together former and current residents alike over three days during the second weekend of August. The event has expanded and changed over the years, and now includes several festivities, such as:
A concert to kick things off on Friday night
A 5K race on Saturday morning
A car show on Saturday afternoon
A wiffle ball home run derby on Sunday afternoon
A fishing contest on Sunday afternoon
Flooding risk on the Elk River and its tributaries
Parts of the community are in flood zones and require insurance, specifically those near Pinch Creek and Indian Creek. Even if you’re not in a designated flood zone, flash floods can happen quickly since the hilly landscape creates many valleys, and rainwater flows down the steep slopes. Kanawha County has online resources on flood preparedness and an app that alerts residents about floods and other emergencies.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Robert Pierce
Video By
Chris Freeman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Crystal Reeves-Paynter,
an experienced agent in this area.
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