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CITY

Kinston

North Carolina · 19,705 residents (2025 est.) · 18.276 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#242Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-8.2%
The short version

Kinston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,878. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 4,183 residents. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $119,300. The poverty rate of 27.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 49% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 16%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,505
−18%since 2000
from 23,688 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,067 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 1,296 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.9
+5%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:19,705 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
19K21K22K24K26K1990201020202024Kinston
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,878
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,630 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,087
+64%since 2000
from $17,779 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
24.0%
+13.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.9%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.506
−5%since 2010
from 0.530 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information6.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
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
$119,300
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $77,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$867
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $392 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
42.5%
−9.5 ptssince 2000
from 52.0% in 2000
57.5% rent
Vacancy rate
16.1%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
30.6%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 37.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.1%
−13.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+11%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
25
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kinston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic35%(8,290)
Black62.4%(14,792)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(269)
Asian0.6%(133)
Other0%
Diversity Score59.8%(14,168)
2024
White, non-Hispanic22.7%(4,422)
Black67.5%(13,170)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(624)
Asian1.5%(286)
Other5.1%(1,003)
Diversity Score61.1%(11,918)
Diversity Score
61
+2%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
82.8%
+14.2 ptssince 2000
from 68.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+51%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.0%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.8%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
16.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2011
from 14.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 53.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.3%
−33.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
Female
54.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
Foreign born
3.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.5%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
29.3%
+6.4 ptssince 2012
from 22.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.4%
−70.9 ptssince 2013
from 80.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
77.8%
+10.7 ptssince 2017
from 67.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 95.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 2.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Kinston to nearby cities

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KINSTON VS
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KINSTON VS
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KINSTON VS
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Home value$240,100+101%
Population34,724+76%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Kinston, North Carolina?

Kinston, North Carolina has about 19,505 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Kinston, North Carolina earns about $36,878 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kinston, North Carolina expensive?

In Kinston, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $119,300, and the typical rent is about $867 a month.

How educated are people in Kinston, North Carolina?

About 16.4% of adults age 25 and over in Kinston, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kinston, North Carolina?

About 27.9% of people in Kinston, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kinston, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Kinston, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 5,790 residents, a change of about -23 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 →