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CITY · 2010 ACS

Kinston

North Carolina · 21,677 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 $27,725. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $96,200. With a median age of 43.7, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 39% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 43.7
US median: 37.2
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,677
−8%since 2000
from 23,688 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,186 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 1,296 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
43.7
+7%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K21K22K24K26K1990201020202024Kinston
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$27,725
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,630 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,907
+1%since 2000
from $17,779 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
11.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
34.1%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.530
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade21.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Information6.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade2.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,200
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $77,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$610
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $392 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
29.3%
−22.7 ptssince 2000
from 52.0% in 2000
52.7% rent
Vacancy rate
15.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
37.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 37.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.5
+19%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic27.8%(6,022)
Black67.7%(14,673)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(512)
Asian0.7%(146)
Other1.5%(327)
Diversity Score58%(12,572)
Diversity Score
58
−3%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 16.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
73.0%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 68.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.6 min
+35%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
70.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
19.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
19.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
18.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
26.9%
−37.8 ptssince 2009
from 64.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
Female
54.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.2%
−30.2 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Kinston to nearby cities

KINSTON VS
Winterville
Income$83,193+200%
Home value$245,100+155%
Population10,973−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KINSTON VS
Goldsboro
Income$48,540+75%
Home value$200,400+108%
Population35,012+78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KINSTON VS
Greenville
Income$49,748+79%
Home value$233,500+143%
Population96,443+389%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KINSTON VS
New Bern
Income$61,031+120%
Home value$240,100+150%
Population34,724+76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Kinston, North Carolina?

Kinston, North Carolina has about 21,677 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Kinston, North Carolina earns about $27,725 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 $96,200, and the typical rent is about $610 a month.

How educated are people in Kinston, North Carolina?

About 15.1% 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 34.1% 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 3,618 residents, a change of about -14 percent over that period.

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

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