Lenoir County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lenoir County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 54,917. It is the 48th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lenoir County is 42.2 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lenoir County is $44,795. This is 36% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.5%. This is 71% 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 7.2%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $111,400. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Lenoir County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Lenoir County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.4% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

15.8% 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 82.5%.