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CITY

Lexington

North Carolina · 20,238 residents (2025 est.) · 19.22 sq mi
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The short version

Lexington has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,128. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $179,900. The poverty rate of 27.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 40% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,690
−1%since 2000
from 19,953 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,024 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 1,038 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.7
+3%since 2000
from 35.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:20,238 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
16K17K18K19K20K1990201020202024Lexington
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,128
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,226 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,661
+48%since 2000
from $15,310 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.0%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.8%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 21.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.438
−8%since 2010
from 0.479 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade23.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information19.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$179,900
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$893
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $454 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
41.6%
−8.2 ptssince 2000
from 49.8% in 2000
58.4% rent
Vacancy rate
15.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.3%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 34.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.9%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+39%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lexington on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic54.8%(10,936)
Black29.8%(5,941)
Hispanic / Latino10.7%(2,135)
Asian2.5%(502)
Other0%
Diversity Score72.6%(14,481)
2024
White, non-Hispanic42.7%(8,417)
Black23.2%(4,562)
Hispanic / Latino24.1%(4,741)
Asian3.7%(727)
Other6.3%(1,243)
Diversity Score87.5%(17,235)
Diversity Score
88
+21%since 2000
from 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.9%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
79.7%
+15.7 ptssince 2000
from 63.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.5 min
+99%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.4%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 74.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
18.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.3%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% 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
5.6%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−9.8 ptssince 2011
from 15.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 55.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
18.8%
−31.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
53.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
13.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.5%
−40.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2012
from 19.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.6%
−63.0 ptssince 2013
from 77.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.9%
+23.8 ptssince 2017
from 60.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
75.9%
−4.0 ptssince 2016
from 79.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
21.4%
+6.6 ptssince 2016
from 14.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Lexington to nearby cities

LEXINGTON VS
Thomasville
Income$60,935+41%
Home value$179,300same
Population27,733+37%
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LEXINGTON VS
Salisbury
Income$53,716+25%
Home value$242,500+35%
Population36,879+82%
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LEXINGTON VS
Clemmons
Income$87,655+103%
Home value$335,800+87%
Population22,808+13%
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LEXINGTON VS
Archdale
Income$64,757+50%
Home value$198,000+10%
Population12,254−39%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lexington, North Carolina?

Lexington, North Carolina has about 19,690 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lexington, North Carolina earns about $43,128 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lexington, North Carolina expensive?

In Lexington, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $179,900, and the typical rent is about $893 a month.

How educated are people in Lexington, North Carolina?

About 12.9% of adults age 25 and over in Lexington, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lexington, North Carolina?

About 27.8% of people in Lexington, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lexington, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Lexington, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,109 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.

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

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