Kannapolis city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Kannapolis city, North Carolina has a total population of 56,470, the 19th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $70,691, which is 1% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Kannapolis city Quick Facts
How Kannapolis city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kannapolis city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Kannapolis city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill town | 59,889 | $85,825 | $576,500 | 77.2% | 19.6% |
| Burlington city | 58,599 | $54,941 | $188,700 | 28.7% | 18.0% |
| Rocky Mount city | 54,175 | $52,927 | $148,300 | 21.5% | 21.2% |
| Mooresville town | 51,447 | $88,592 | $348,500 | 45.3% | 7.6% |
| Hickory city | 43,747 | $63,361 | $248,300 | 35.9% | 17.0% |
Population Overview
Kannapolis city is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina. The total population is 56,470. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kannapolis city is 37.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kannapolis city is $70,691. This is 1% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 10% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $245,500. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 65.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kannapolis city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 23.1%.
Education
28.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower 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 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kannapolis city, 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 Kannapolis city, North Carolina?
Kannapolis city, North Carolina has a population of 56,470 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kannapolis city, NC?
The median household income in Kannapolis city is $70,691, which is 10% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Kannapolis city, NC?
The poverty rate in Kannapolis city is 12.2%. This means approximately 6,833 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kannapolis city, North Carolina?
Kannapolis city's population is 56.2% White, 23.1% Black, 12.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kannapolis city, NC?
The median home value in Kannapolis city is $245,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Kannapolis city, North Carolina?
28.1% of adults (25+) in Kannapolis city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.