Kings Mountain, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kings Mountain, North Carolina had a total population of 12,039, the 85th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $49,564, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Kings Mountain Quick Facts
How Kings Mountain 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 | 11,472 | 12,039 | +4.9% |
| Median household income | $45,507 | $49,564 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $177,700 | $204,100 | +14.9% |
How Kings Mountain 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+)
Kings Mountain Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Gaston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | 16.3% | $277,600 |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | 8.2% | $337,800 |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | 7.9% | $395,000 |
| Cherryville | 6,226 | $70,625 | 12.4% | $232,100 |
| Dallas | 6,104 | $58,403 | 10.5% | $254,000 |
| Bessemer City | 5,580 | $60,300 | 16.4% | $206,100 |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | 6.3% | $343,400 |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | 5.5% | $200,200 |
| Stanley | 4,069 | $75,461 | 8.1% | $270,200 |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | 17.4% | $200,600 |
Cities Similar to Kings Mountain
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincolnton | 11,783 | $46,320 | $248,700 | 24.0% | 22.7% |
| Spring Lake | 11,573 | $51,958 | $124,000 | 25.2% | 17.7% |
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | $242,500 | 26.7% | 27.4% |
| Tarboro | 10,770 | $49,796 | $185,500 | 26.6% | 18.5% |
| Archdale | 12,087 | $64,757 | $198,000 | 22.9% | 5.2% |
Population Overview
Kings Mountain is a small city located in North Carolina, within Gaston County. The total population is 12,039. It ranks as the 85th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kings Mountain is 37.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kings Mountain is $49,564. This is 32% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 76% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 63% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $204,100. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 62.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kings Mountain is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kings Mountain, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kings Mountain, North Carolina?
Kings Mountain, North Carolina has a population of 12,039 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kings Mountain, NC?
The median household income in Kings Mountain is $49,564, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kings Mountain, NC?
The poverty rate in Kings Mountain is 23.0%. This means approximately 2,734 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kings Mountain, North Carolina?
Kings Mountain's population is 65.5% White, 25.3% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kings Mountain, NC?
The median home value in Kings Mountain is $204,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Kings Mountain, North Carolina?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Kings Mountain hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.