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CITY

Kenly

North Carolina · 1,722 residents (2025 est.) · 1.879 sq mi
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The short version

Kenly has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,045. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 50% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $205,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 81%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,359
+50%since 2000
from 1,569 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,255 / sq mi
+50%since 2000
from 835 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.2
Unchangedsince 2000
from 36.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,722 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K3K1990201020202024Kenly
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,045
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,865 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,615
+88%since 2000
from $14,181 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
41.0%
+31.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.4%
−10.8 ptssince 2000
from 25.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.419
−6%since 2010
from 0.447 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade18%
US avg: 6.9%
Information18%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$205,200
+81%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$787
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $410 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.2%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 47.4% in 2000
45.8% rent
Vacancy rate
4.0%
−19.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
31.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 27.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.5%
−14.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+20%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kenly on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic54.5%(855)
Black40.3%(633)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(56)
Asian0.3%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.8%(1,032)
2024
White, non-Hispanic58.7%(1,384)
Black26.2%(618)
Hispanic / Latino14%(331)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.1%(26)
Diversity Score70.9%(1,673)
Diversity Score
71
+8%since 2000
from 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
82.5%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 67.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.2 min
+31%since 2000
from 20.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.3%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
9.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
13.8%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−10.7 ptssince 2011
from 16.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.0%
+7.7 ptssince 2011
from 55.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.5%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.7%
−37.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
51.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
8.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.6%
−39.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2012
from 15.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.5%
−68.9 ptssince 2013
from 81.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.7%
+46.4 ptssince 2017
from 39.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
88.4%
+4.8 ptssince 2016
from 83.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 11.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Kenly to nearby cities

KENLY VS
Smithfield
Income$43,270−24%
Home value$242,500+18%
Population13,114+662%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KENLY VS
Wilson
Income$52,485−8%
Home value$210,700+3%
Population49,572+2779%
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KENLY VS
Wendell
Income$95,787+68%
Home value$330,500+61%
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KENLY VS
Goldsboro
Income$48,540−15%
Home value$200,400−2%
Population35,012+1933%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Kenly, North Carolina?

Kenly, North Carolina has about 2,359 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Kenly, North Carolina earns about $57,045 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kenly, North Carolina expensive?

In Kenly, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $205,200, and the typical rent is about $787 a month.

How educated are people in Kenly, North Carolina?

About 7.9% of adults age 25 and over in Kenly, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kenly, North Carolina?

About 14.4% of people in Kenly, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kenly, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Kenly, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 797 residents, a change of about 51 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 →