Cornelius, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cornelius, North Carolina had a total population of 32,783, the 32nd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $113,767, which is 57% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- 62.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Cornelius Quick Facts
How Cornelius Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,009 | 32,783 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $114,688 | $113,767 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $512,400 | $559,400 | +9.2% |
How Cornelius Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cornelius Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Mecklenburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 903,844 | $82,068 | 11.7% | $385,700 |
| Huntersville | 63,969 | $120,516 | 3.1% | $472,900 |
| Matthews | 30,577 | $108,611 | 3.7% | $445,100 |
| Mint Hill | 27,556 | $100,860 | 8.4% | $428,900 |
| Stallings | 16,886 | $115,974 | 4.8% | $428,000 |
| Davidson | 15,660 | $166,556 | 7.0% | $687,700 |
| Weddington | 13,805 | $190,766 | 4.0% | $824,100 |
| Pineville | 11,055 | $69,354 | 13.8% | $395,100 |
| Midland | 4,860 | $101,477 | 4.1% | $369,100 |
Cities Similar to Cornelius
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | $518,800 | 72.7% | 3.1% |
| Matthews | 30,577 | $108,611 | $445,100 | 55.2% | 3.7% |
| Leland | 29,607 | $91,977 | $398,900 | 43.7% | 6.1% |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | $451,500 | 54.0% | 8.2% |
| Mint Hill | 27,556 | $100,860 | $428,900 | 40.4% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Cornelius is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Mecklenburg County. The total population is 32,783. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cornelius is 44.0 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cornelius is $113,767. This is 57% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 41% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $559,400. Housing costs are 94% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cornelius is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
62.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cornelius in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.5%. Notably, 22.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cornelius, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cornelius, North Carolina?
Cornelius, North Carolina has a population of 32,783 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cornelius, NC?
The median household income in Cornelius is $113,767, which is 41% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cornelius, NC?
The poverty rate in Cornelius is 5.4%. This means approximately 1,763 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cornelius, North Carolina?
Cornelius's population is 82.0% White, 3.5% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cornelius, NC?
The median home value in Cornelius is $559,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Cornelius, North Carolina?
62.2% of adults (25+) in Cornelius hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.