Kenly, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kenly, North Carolina had a total population of 2,359, the 312th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $57,045, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Kenly Quick Facts
How Kenly 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 | 2,351 | 2,359 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $46,229 | $57,045 | +23.4% |
| Median home value | $183,300 | $205,200 | +11.9% |
How Kenly 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+)
Kenly Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Johnston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | 27.4% | $242,500 |
| Selma | 6,817 | $41,368 | 24.7% | $171,600 |
| Archer Lodge | 5,186 | $91,188 | 17.4% | $324,500 |
| Benson | 4,282 | $67,102 | 14.4% | $279,800 |
| Wilson's Mills | 2,753 | $62,813 | 31.9% | $241,800 |
| Four Oaks | 2,459 | $72,826 | 15.3% | $253,700 |
| Pine Level | 2,031 | $75,263 | 8.0% | $221,000 |
| Princeton | 1,658 | $45,500 | 9.7% | $215,400 |
| Micro | 573 | $44,531 | 22.9% | $170,700 |
Cities Similar to Kenly
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | $206,500 | 15.3% | 9.2% |
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | $253,200 | 22.1% | 17.6% |
| Richlands | 2,335 | $65,163 | $248,800 | 38.1% | 11.1% |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | $193,900 | 13.7% | 21.1% |
| Norwood | 2,433 | $51,639 | $185,200 | 20.0% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Kenly is a small community located in North Carolina, within Johnston County. The total population is 2,359. It ranks as the 312th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kenly is 36.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kenly is $57,045. This is 21% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 10% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $205,200. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 54.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kenly is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.2%.
Education
7.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 82.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kenly, 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 Kenly, North Carolina?
Kenly, North Carolina has a population of 2,359 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kenly, NC?
The median household income in Kenly is $57,045, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kenly, NC?
The poverty rate in Kenly is 14.4%. This means approximately 337 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kenly, North Carolina?
Kenly's population is 58.7% White, 26.2% Black, 14.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kenly, NC?
The median home value in Kenly is $205,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Kenly, North Carolina?
7.9% of adults (25+) in Kenly hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.