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CITY · 2020 ACS

Lenoir

North Carolina · 18,352 residents · 20.825 sq mi
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The short version

Lenoir has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,116. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $110,000. Households here earn about 31% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,352
+9%since 2000
from 16,793 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
881 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 806 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.0
+8%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K15K16K18K19K1990201020202024Lenoir
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,116
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,369 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,123
+32%since 2000
from $16,697 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
22.5%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.5%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 14.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade19.7%
US avg: 10%
Information13.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Transportation & warehousing6.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 2%
Public administration1.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$110,000
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$622
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $435 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.2%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 63.1% in 2000
40.8% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+10%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lenoir on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.2%(13,305)
Black14.6%(2,451)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(714)
Asian0.7%(112)
Other0%
Diversity Score41.6%(6,978)
2020
White, non-Hispanic71.6%(13,147)
Black11.4%(2,101)
Hispanic / Latino11.2%(2,058)
Asian1%(175)
Other2.5%(464)
Diversity Score54.5%(9,994)
Diversity Score
54
+31%since 2000
from 42 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.6%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.8%
+18.0 ptssince 2000
from 65.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.6 min
+97%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.1%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.6%
−8.0 ptssince 2011
from 14.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 53.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
25.7%
−32.5 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
Female
52.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
Foreign born
5.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
15.3%
−67.4 ptssince 2013
from 82.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lenoir

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Pop 18,299
Belle Glade
Pop 17,241
Gladeview
Pop 16,655
Lady Lake
Pop 17,496
Places similar to Lenoir
Head to head

Compare Lenoir to nearby cities

LENOIR VS
Morganton
Income$51,355+31%
Home value$221,700+102%
Population17,849−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LENOIR VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+65%
Home value$278,400+153%
Population45,975+150%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LENOIR VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+54%
Home value$213,300+94%
Population9,457−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LENOIR VS
Conover
Income$65,972+69%
Home value$271,300+147%
Population8,938−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lenoir, North Carolina?

Lenoir, North Carolina has about 18,352 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lenoir, North Carolina earns about $39,116 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lenoir, North Carolina expensive?

In Lenoir, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $110,000, and the typical rent is about $622 a month.

How educated are people in Lenoir, North Carolina?

About 17.6% of adults age 25 and over in Lenoir, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lenoir, North Carolina?

About 18.5% of people in Lenoir, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lenoir, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Lenoir, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,160 residents, a change of about 29 percent over that period.

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

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