A post office called Pilot Mound has been in operation since 1865.

[5] The community took its name from a prominent summit which affords a clear view of the surrounding area.

[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.98 square miles (2.54 km2), all land.

There were 85 housing units at an average density of 86.5 per square mile (33.4/km2).

Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 1.2% of the population.

There were 99 housing units at an average density of 101.0 per square mile (39.0/km2).

36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 102 housing units at an average density of 107.5 per square mile (41.5/km2).

35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 4.9% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen and 14.5% of those 65 or over.