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Pinch

Pinch

$287,423 Average Value
$136 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Scenery and convenience define life in Pinch

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.
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.
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 split-level homes in Pinch have brick exteriors and large yards.
Many ranch-style homes exude southern charm in the community.
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.
Locally owned restaurants nearby include the popular Rolling Smoke BBQ.
Tudor's Biscuit World is known for its homemade biscuits.
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.
Coonskin Park near Pinch offers a golf course for residents and visitors.
Try out new tricks at the skate park in Coonskin Park.
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.
Pinch Elementary School excels in fostering a nurturing learning atmosphere.
Elkview Middle School emphasizes academic excellence, with a focus on STEM education.
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.

Matthew Atkins
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Robert Pierce
Photography Contributed By
Robert Pierce
Chris Freeman
Video By
Chris Freeman

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Christina Pepper, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
3
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
2000
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,947
On par with the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,196

Homes for Sale

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Pinch Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,527
Median Age
47
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.2%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$73,627
Below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$100,400

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.3%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
35.9%
Advanced Degrees
14.2%
% Population in Labor Force
51.6%
Below the national average
64.9%

Area Factors

Somewhat bikeable

Bikeability®

30 / 100

Somewhat walkable

Walkability®

30 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit®

30 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Pinch