Cornelius town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Cornelius town, North Carolina has a total population of 32,009, the 32nd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $114,688, which is 64% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.4% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 59.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Cornelius town Quick Facts
How Cornelius town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cornelius town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Cornelius town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisville town | 30,471 | $125,404 | $481,800 | 73.9% | 4.8% |
| Matthews town | 29,959 | $105,579 | $406,800 | 53.9% | 4.0% |
| Fuquay-Varina town | 37,749 | $111,447 | $410,600 | 52.9% | 8.8% |
| Garner town | 32,543 | $77,496 | $320,300 | 45.8% | 7.3% |
| Mint Hill town | 26,954 | $99,272 | $386,900 | 38.4% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Cornelius town is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina. The total population is 32,009. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cornelius town is 44.8 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cornelius town is $114,688. This is 64% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.4%. This is 67% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $512,400. Housing costs are 98% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cornelius town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%. The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 20.3%.
Education
59.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cornelius town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.9%. Notably, 20.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cornelius town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cornelius town, North Carolina?
Cornelius town, North Carolina has a population of 32,009 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cornelius town, NC?
The median household income in Cornelius town is $114,688, which is 46% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Cornelius town, NC?
The poverty rate in Cornelius town is 4.4%. This means approximately 1,412 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cornelius town, North Carolina?
Cornelius town's population is 82.2% White, 4.5% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cornelius town, NC?
The median home value in Cornelius town is $512,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Cornelius town, North Carolina?
59.6% of adults (25+) in Cornelius town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.