Kinston city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Kinston city is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 19,576. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Kinston city is 42.9 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Kinston city is $35,250. This is 50% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.9%. This is 119% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 13.2%. This is 174% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $108,300. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 42.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Kinston city is Black or African American, making up 65.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (23.9%) is well below the state average of 60.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (65.8% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 81.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Kinston 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.