Lenoir, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lenoir, North Carolina had a total population of 18,299, the 56th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $49,910, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Lenoir Quick Facts
How Lenoir 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 | 18,282 | 18,299 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $48,889 | $49,910 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $165,200 | $179,400 | +8.6% |
How Lenoir 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+)
Lenoir Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Caldwell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawmills | 5,042 | $71,067 | 9.9% | $219,600 |
| Granite Falls | 4,929 | $56,917 | 17.2% | $202,400 |
| Hudson | 3,772 | $65,268 | 13.7% | $223,000 |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | 21.5% | $170,100 |
| Cajah's Mountain | 2,704 | $53,361 | 13.9% | $201,800 |
| Northlakes | 1,716 | $101,250 | 2.0% | $366,500 |
| Blowing Rock | 992 | $120,938 | 2.4% | $705,000 |
| Cedar Rock | 306 | $95,625 | 2.0% | $424,500 |
Cities Similar to Lenoir
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | 26.1% | 25.7% |
| Elizabeth City | 18,871 | $52,141 | $187,700 | 27.2% | 13.3% |
| Graham | 18,048 | $56,239 | $233,800 | 24.7% | 16.8% |
| Lumberton | 18,859 | $42,877 | $152,600 | 19.2% | 30.8% |
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | $207,700 | 18.7% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Lenoir is a small city located in North Carolina, within Caldwell County. The total population is 18,299. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lenoir is 45.7 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lenoir is $49,910. This is 31% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $179,400. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lenoir is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.2%. The Black or African American population (10.0%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 85.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, North Carolina?
Lenoir, North Carolina has a population of 18,299 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lenoir, NC?
The median household income in Lenoir is $49,910, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lenoir, NC?
The poverty rate in Lenoir is 14.6%. This means approximately 2,613 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lenoir, North Carolina?
Lenoir's population is 73.2% White, 10.0% Black, 13.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lenoir, NC?
The median home value in Lenoir is $179,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Lenoir, North Carolina?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Lenoir hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.