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CITY

Cornelius

North Carolina · 35,094 residents (2025 est.) · 12.674 sq mi
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The short version

Cornelius is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $113,767. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 20,814 residents. 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $559,400. With a median age of 44.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.0
US median: 38.9
More educated
62% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,783
+174%since 2000
from 11,969 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,587 / sq mi
+174%since 2000
from 944 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.0
+18%since 2000
from 37.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:35,094 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
09K18K27K36K1990201020202024Cornelius
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$113,767
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,259 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$77,539
+72%since 2000
from $45,023 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
66.7%
+14.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.514
+12%since 2010
from 0.457 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services15.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration12.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Information10%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$559,400
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $217,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,722
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $920 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.5%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 76.1% in 2000
30.5% rent
Vacancy rate
7.2%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.7%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.3%
+16.6 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.9
+61%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
64
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cornelius on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.7%(10,741)
Black5.5%(661)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(334)
Asian1.2%(144)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.3%(2,671)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82%(26,887)
Black3.5%(1,150)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(1,761)
Asian3.1%(1,029)
Other6%(1,956)
Diversity Score39.8%(13,060)
Diversity Score
40
+79%since 2000
from 22 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
62.2%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 49.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.5%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 93.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
22.1%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.4 min
Unchangedsince 2000
from 25.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
63.8%
−18.8 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.9%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
28.2%
+22.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.5%
−8.9 ptssince 2011
from 74.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
60.9%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 69.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
8.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.1%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
6.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2012
from 6.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−82.7 ptssince 2013
from 87.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2017
from 91.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2016
from 92.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.9%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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CORNELIUS VS
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CORNELIUS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cornelius, North Carolina?

Cornelius, North Carolina has about 32,783 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cornelius, North Carolina?

The typical household in Cornelius, North Carolina earns about $113,767 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cornelius, North Carolina expensive?

In Cornelius, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $559,400, and the typical rent is about $1,722 a month.

How educated are people in Cornelius, North Carolina?

About 62.2% of adults age 25 and over in Cornelius, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cornelius, North Carolina?

About 5.4% of people in Cornelius, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cornelius, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Cornelius, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 30,202 residents, a change of about 1170 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Cornelius, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy