Kernersville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kernersville, North Carolina had a total population of 27,830, the 40th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $71,918, which is about the same as 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
Kernersville Quick Facts
How Kernersville 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 | 27,439 | 27,830 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $69,923 | $71,918 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $264,000 | $290,700 | +10.1% |
How Kernersville 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kernersville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Guilford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | 17.0% | $244,800 |
| High Point | 116,245 | $64,561 | 15.7% | $235,800 |
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | 16.4% | $199,200 |
| Archdale | 12,087 | $64,757 | 5.2% | $198,000 |
| Summerfield | 11,116 | $160,275 | 7.1% | $521,900 |
| Gibsonville | 9,467 | $95,861 | 5.8% | $298,000 |
| Oak Ridge | 7,744 | $155,385 | 3.6% | $529,300 |
| Stokesdale | 6,004 | $121,071 | 5.6% | $379,100 |
| Pleasant Garden | 5,060 | $88,204 | 9.7% | $223,500 |
| Forest Oaks | 4,293 | $107,604 | 20.4% | $349,300 |
Cities Similar to Kernersville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | $329,600 | 40.4% | 5.9% |
| Thomasville | 27,321 | $60,935 | $179,300 | 15.3% | 16.3% |
| Mint Hill | 27,556 | $100,860 | $428,900 | 40.4% | 8.4% |
| Leland | 29,607 | $91,977 | $398,900 | 43.7% | 6.1% |
| Asheboro | 27,580 | $47,197 | $188,100 | 19.1% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Kernersville is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Guilford County. The total population is 27,830. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kernersville is 39.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kernersville is $71,918. This is about the same as the state median of $72,388. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $290,700. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kernersville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.5%.
Education
37.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kernersville, 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 Kernersville, North Carolina?
Kernersville, North Carolina has a population of 27,830 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kernersville, NC?
The median household income in Kernersville is $71,918, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kernersville, NC?
The poverty rate in Kernersville is 12.6%. This means approximately 3,475 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kernersville, North Carolina?
Kernersville's population is 64.0% White, 17.5% Black, 13.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kernersville, NC?
The median home value in Kernersville is $290,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Kernersville, North Carolina?
37.0% of adults (25+) in Kernersville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.