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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Kinston

North Carolina · 23,688 residents · 18.276 sq mi
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The short version

Kinston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $26,630. Population has declined 6% since 1990. Median home value is $77,800. With a median age of 40.8, the population is older than the US median of 35.2. The poverty rate of 23.0% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 32% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 40.8
US median: 35.2
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,688
−6%since 1990
from 25,295 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,296 / sq mi
−6%since 1990
from 1,384 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
40.8
+12%since 1990
from 36.3 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K21K22K24K26K1990201020202024Kinston
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,630
+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $18,253 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,779
+69%since 1990
from $10,490 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
23.0%
−2.1 ptssince 1990
from 25.2% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$77,800
+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $53,900 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$392
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $281 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
52.0%
Unchangedsince 1990
from 52.0% in 1990
48.0% rent
Afford Score
2.9
−1%since 1990
from 3.0 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kinston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic41.7%(10,545)
Black57.9%(14,643)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(58)
Asian0.3%(64)
Diversity Score61.7%(15,601)
2000
White, non-Hispanic35%(8,290)
Black62.4%(14,792)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(269)
Asian0.6%(133)
Diversity Score59.8%(14,168)
Diversity Score
60
−3%since 1990
from 62 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.6%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 15.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
68.7%
+7.1 ptssince 1990
from 61.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+0.8 ptssince 1990
from 4.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.7 min
−4%since 1990
from 14.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Kinston

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Head to head

Compare Kinston to nearby cities

KINSTON VS
Winterville
Income$83,193+212%
Home value$245,100+215%
Population10,973−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KINSTON VS
Goldsboro
Income$48,540+82%
Home value$200,400+158%
Population35,012+78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KINSTON VS
Greenville
Income$49,748+87%
Home value$233,500+200%
Population96,443+389%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KINSTON VS
New Bern
Income$61,031+129%
Home value$240,100+209%
Population34,724+76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Kinston, North Carolina?

Kinston, North Carolina has about 23,688 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Kinston, North Carolina earns about $26,630 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 $77,800, and the typical rent is about $392 a month.

How educated are people in Kinston, North Carolina?

About 16.6% 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 23.0% 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 1,607 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

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