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CITY

Kernersville

North Carolina · 29,128 residents (2025 est.) · 18.784 sq mi
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The short version

Kernersville has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $71,918. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 63% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $290,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.3
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,830
+63%since 2000
from 17,126 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,482 / sq mi
+63%since 2000
from 912 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.3
+15%since 2000
from 34.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:29,128 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9K14K19K24K30K1990201020202024Kernersville
202428K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,918
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,520 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,725
+78%since 2000
from $23,506 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
47.4%
+16.7 ptssince 2009
from 30.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.6%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.425
+2%since 2010
from 0.417 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance5.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$290,700
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $121,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,082
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $527 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
60.5%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 53.6% in 2000
39.5% rent
Vacancy rate
3.8%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.0%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.0
+39%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
59
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kernersville on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.4%(13,941)
Black8.6%(1,481)
Hispanic / Latino7.4%(1,261)
Asian1.2%(207)
Other0%
Diversity Score38.2%(6,536)
2024
White, non-Hispanic64%(17,825)
Black17.5%(4,866)
Hispanic / Latino13.7%(3,801)
Asian2%(561)
Other2.8%(777)
Diversity Score67.4%(18,763)
Diversity Score
67
+77%since 2000
from 38 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.0%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 25.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.8%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 81.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.8%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.6 min
+71%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.7%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 86.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.8%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.6%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% 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
3.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 7.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.4%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 71.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.9%
−20.2 ptssince 2009
from 64.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
6.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.7%
−38.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2012
from 11.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.3%
−80.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.7%
+12.0 ptssince 2017
from 80.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2016
from 87.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.6%
+1.8 ptssince 2016
from 8.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Kernersville to nearby cities

KERNERSVILLE VS
High Point
Income$64,561−10%
Home value$235,800−19%
Population120,571+314%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KERNERSVILLE VS
Winston-Salem
Income$59,268−18%
Home value$233,800−20%
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KERNERSVILLE VS
Summerfield
Income$160,275+123%
Home value$521,900+80%
Population11,327−61%
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KERNERSVILLE VS
Greensboro
Income$61,515−14%
Home value$244,800−16%
Population308,667+960%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Kernersville, North Carolina?

Kernersville, North Carolina has about 27,830 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Kernersville, North Carolina earns about $71,918 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kernersville, North Carolina expensive?

In Kernersville, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $290,700, and the typical rent is about $1,082 a month.

How educated are people in Kernersville, North Carolina?

About 37.0% of adults age 25 and over in Kernersville, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kernersville, North Carolina?

About 12.6% of people in Kernersville, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kernersville, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Kernersville, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 16,994 residents, a change of about 157 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 →