Lexington, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lexington, North Carolina had a total population of 19,690, the 50th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $43,128, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in North Carolina (diversity index: 70/100).
Lexington Quick Facts
How Lexington 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 | 19,691 | 19,690 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $41,775 | $43,128 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $158,100 | $179,900 | +13.8% |
How Lexington 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lexington Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Davidson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomasville | 27,321 | $60,935 | 16.3% | $179,300 |
| Midway | 4,897 | $83,446 | 5.0% | $274,100 |
| Tyro | 3,833 | $58,364 | 15.7% | $191,800 |
| Welcome | 3,521 | $63,353 | 9.3% | $200,800 |
| Wallburg | 3,150 | $88,406 | 2.4% | $343,700 |
| Southmont | 1,525 | $91,307 | 15.4% | $424,100 |
| Denton | 1,506 | $50,847 | 14.8% | $167,400 |
| Yadkin College | 400 | $110,219 | 8.5% | $253,300 |
Cities Similar to Lexington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton | 18,859 | $42,877 | $152,600 | 19.2% | 30.8% |
| Kinston | 19,505 | $36,878 | $119,300 | 16.4% | 27.9% |
| Elizabeth City | 18,871 | $52,141 | $187,700 | 27.2% | 13.3% |
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | $179,400 | 21.2% | 14.6% |
| Shelby | 22,100 | $48,376 | $197,200 | 26.6% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Lexington is a small city located in North Carolina, within Davidson County. The total population is 19,690. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lexington is 36.7 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lexington is $43,128. This is 40% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.8%. This is 113% 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 6.0%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $179,900. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 41.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lexington is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.1% vs 11.3%).
Education
12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 79.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lexington, 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 Lexington, North Carolina?
Lexington, North Carolina has a population of 19,690 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lexington, NC?
The median household income in Lexington is $43,128, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lexington, NC?
The poverty rate in Lexington is 27.8%. This means approximately 5,265 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lexington, North Carolina?
Lexington's population is 42.8% White, 23.2% Black, 24.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lexington, NC?
The median home value in Lexington is $179,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Lexington, North Carolina?
12.9% of adults (25+) in Lexington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.