Kannapolis, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kannapolis, North Carolina had a total population of 57,890, the 19th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $73,836, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Kannapolis Quick Facts
How Kannapolis 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 | 56,470 | 57,890 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $70,691 | $73,836 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $245,500 | $276,400 | +12.6% |
How Kannapolis 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kannapolis Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cabarrus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | 108,719 | $86,921 | 9.6% | $353,700 |
| Harrisburg | 19,633 | $148,254 | 3.8% | $478,000 |
| Locust | 5,840 | $76,504 | 8.7% | $322,100 |
| Mount Pleasant | 2,230 | $90,795 | 6.6% | $306,500 |
Cities Similar to Kannapolis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | 61,607 | $85,989 | $613,700 | 76.6% | 18.6% |
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | $199,200 | 29.6% | 16.4% |
| Mooresville | 52,381 | $89,647 | $390,900 | 45.5% | 7.3% |
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | $165,700 | 22.9% | 19.7% |
| Jacksonville | 71,279 | $57,697 | $210,100 | 26.3% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Kannapolis is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Cabarrus County. The total population is 57,890. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kannapolis is 36.9 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kannapolis is $73,836. This is 2% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $276,400. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kannapolis is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.9%.
Education
29.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kannapolis, 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 Kannapolis, North Carolina?
Kannapolis, North Carolina has a population of 57,890 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kannapolis, NC?
The median household income in Kannapolis is $73,836, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kannapolis, NC?
The poverty rate in Kannapolis is 12.6%. This means approximately 7,239 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kannapolis, North Carolina?
Kannapolis's population is 55.5% White, 21.9% Black, 13.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kannapolis, NC?
The median home value in Kannapolis is $276,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Kannapolis, North Carolina?
29.7% of adults (25+) in Kannapolis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.