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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cornelius

North Carolina · 31,412 residents · 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 $90,377. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 19,443 residents. 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $352,600. Households here earn about 60% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 38.8
More educated
54% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
31,412
+162%since 2000
from 11,969 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,478 / sq mi
+162%since 2000
from 944 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.9
+15%since 2000
from 37.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
09K18K27K36K1990201020202024Cornelius
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$90,377
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,259 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$59,348
+32%since 2000
from $45,023 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
58.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services12.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Information11%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration9.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade7.6%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$352,600
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $217,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,236
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $920 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.0%
−9.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.1% in 2000
33.0% rent
Afford Score
3.9
+28%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic79.6%(25,017)
Black6.2%(1,957)
Hispanic / Latino7.3%(2,307)
Asian2.4%(757)
Other2.5%(778)
Diversity Score41.3%(12,960)
Diversity Score
41
+85%since 2000
from 22 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
54.4%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 49.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 93.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
16.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.1 min
+10%since 2000
from 25.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.0%
−10.7 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.5%
−9.9 ptssince 2011
from 74.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
50.8%
−18.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
51.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
8.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.8%
−81.7 ptssince 2013
from 87.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Cornelius to nearby cities

CORNELIUS VS
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Income$166,556+84%
Home value$687,700+95%
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CORNELIUS VS
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Home value$472,900+34%
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CORNELIUS VS
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Income$173,542+92%
Home value$887,400+152%
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CORNELIUS VS
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Income$89,647−1%
Home value$390,900+11%
Population55,842+59%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cornelius, North Carolina?

Cornelius, North Carolina has about 31,412 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Cornelius, North Carolina earns about $90,377 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 $352,600, and the typical rent is about $1,236 a month.

How educated are people in Cornelius, North Carolina?

About 54.4% 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 7.0% 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 28,831 residents, a change of about 1117 percent over that period.

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

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