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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Lenoir County

North Carolina · 55,122 residents · 399.087 sq mi
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The short version

Lenoir County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,923. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $94,000. The poverty rate of 22.0% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 30% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 9%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
55,122
−8%since 2000
from 59,648 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
138 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 149 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.1
+13%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
54K56K57K59K60K1990201020202024Lenoir County
202455K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,923
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,191 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,894
+49%since 2000
from $16,744 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.4%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.0%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 16.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade9%
US avg: 6.7%
Information8.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,000
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$707
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $405 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.1%
−6.9 ptssince 2000
from 67.0% in 2000
39.9% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+6%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lenoir County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic55.5%(33,075)
Black40.3%(24,016)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(1,891)
Asian0.3%(199)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.2%(38,916)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic48.2%(26,582)
Black40%(22,034)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(4,365)
Asian0.6%(332)
Other4.5%(2,466)
Diversity Score76.1%(41,943)
Segregation Score39.2%(21,629)
Diversity Score
76
+17%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
39
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.1%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 71.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.5 min
+50%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.5%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.9%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 58.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.7%
−29.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.2%
−69.8 ptssince 2013
from 81.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lenoir County

Jackson County
Pop 52,501
Jackson County
Pop 49,629
Apache County
Pop 64,445
Russell County
Pop 58,898
Places similar to Lenoir County
Head to head

Compare Lenoir County to nearby counties

LENOIR COUNTY VS
Greene County
Income$53,244+33%
Home value$117,400+25%
Population20,700−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LENOIR COUNTY VS
Jones County
Income$59,641+49%
Home value$130,300+39%
Population9,575−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LENOIR COUNTY VS
Wayne County
Income$59,733+50%
Home value$178,700+90%
Population122,278+119%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LENOIR COUNTY VS
Duplin County
Income$55,148+38%
Home value$137,400+46%
Population51,571−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lenoir County, North Carolina?

Lenoir County, North Carolina has about 55,122 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lenoir County, North Carolina earns about $39,923 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lenoir County, North Carolina expensive?

In Lenoir County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $94,000, and the typical rent is about $707 a month.

How educated are people in Lenoir County, North Carolina?

About 15.5% of adults age 25 and over in Lenoir County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lenoir County, North Carolina?

About 22.0% of people in Lenoir County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lenoir County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Lenoir County, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,152 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

17 census tracts
Census Tract 111Census Tract 108Census Tract 101Census Tract 114Census Tract 110.01Census Tract 110.02Census Tract 112.02Census Tract 106Census Tract 113.02Census Tract 105Census Tract 112.01Census Tract 109Census Tract 102Census Tract 107Census Tract 113.01Census Tract 103Census Tract 104
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 28504ZIP 28501ZIP 28551ZIP 28525
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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