Knightdale, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Knightdale, North Carolina had a total population of 20,214, the 48th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $103,220, which is 43% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
Knightdale Quick Facts
How Knightdale 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 | 19,532 | 20,214 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $91,638 | $103,220 | +12.6% |
| Median home value | $331,900 | $380,100 | +14.5% |
How Knightdale 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+)
Knightdale Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | 11.9% | $415,800 |
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | 5.7% | $580,200 |
| Apex | 70,630 | $144,135 | 2.3% | $576,100 |
| Wake Forest | 52,844 | $123,802 | 4.5% | $474,500 |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | 4.8% | $535,800 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | 8.2% | $451,500 |
| Garner | 34,473 | $78,756 | 8.4% | $355,000 |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | 3.1% | $518,800 |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | 5.9% | $329,600 |
| Wendell | 13,064 | $95,787 | 3.2% | $330,500 |
Cities Similar to Knightdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinehurst | 18,256 | $109,802 | $476,600 | 60.9% | 4.3% |
| Carrboro | 21,204 | $85,743 | $539,400 | 69.9% | 12.2% |
| Mebane | 19,538 | $83,174 | $338,900 | 40.4% | 7.2% |
| Clemmons | 21,871 | $87,655 | $335,800 | 49.4% | 6.5% |
| Harrisburg | 19,633 | $148,254 | $478,000 | 56.5% | 3.8% |
Population Overview
Knightdale is a small city located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 20,214. It ranks as the 48th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Knightdale is 33.6 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Knightdale has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Knightdale is $103,220. This is 43% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 28% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $380,100. Housing costs are 32% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 64.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Knightdale is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.5% vs 20.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.0% vs 3.3%).
Education
48.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 96.5%. Notably, 20.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Knightdale, 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 Knightdale, North Carolina?
Knightdale, North Carolina has a population of 20,214 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Knightdale, NC?
The median household income in Knightdale is $103,220, which is 28% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Knightdale, NC?
The poverty rate in Knightdale is 5.3%. This means approximately 1,064 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Knightdale, North Carolina?
Knightdale's population is 33.8% White, 44.5% Black, 10.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Knightdale, NC?
The median home value in Knightdale is $380,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Knightdale, North Carolina?
48.9% of adults (25+) in Knightdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.