Lincolnton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lincolnton, North Carolina had a total population of 11,783, the 86th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $46,320, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Lincolnton Quick Facts
How Lincolnton 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 | 11,503 | 11,783 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $43,294 | $46,320 | +7.0% |
| Median home value | $224,600 | $248,700 | +10.7% |
How Lincolnton 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+)
Lincolnton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westport | 5,915 | $131,908 | 2.5% | $580,000 |
| Lowesville | 3,874 | $113,510 | 4.1% | $406,500 |
| Denver | 2,497 | $65,721 | 6.0% | $296,300 |
| Iron Station | 934 | $77,083 | 16.7% | $158,700 |
| Crouse | 408 | N/A | 0.0% | $212,300 |
Cities Similar to Lincolnton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Mountain | 12,039 | $49,564 | $204,100 | 17.8% | 23.0% |
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | $242,500 | 26.7% | 27.4% |
| Spring Lake | 11,573 | $51,958 | $124,000 | 25.2% | 17.7% |
| Tarboro | 10,770 | $49,796 | $185,500 | 26.6% | 18.5% |
| Mount Airy | 10,633 | $40,275 | $181,900 | 23.1% | 26.9% |
Population Overview
Lincolnton is a small city located in North Carolina, within Lincoln County. The total population is 11,783. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lincolnton is 37.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lincolnton is $46,320. This is 36% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.7%. This is 74% 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 3.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $248,700. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 46.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lincolnton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.3%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lincolnton, 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 Lincolnton, North Carolina?
Lincolnton, North Carolina has a population of 11,783 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lincolnton, NC?
The median household income in Lincolnton is $46,320, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lincolnton, NC?
The poverty rate in Lincolnton is 22.7%. This means approximately 2,600 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lincolnton, North Carolina?
Lincolnton's population is 60.2% White, 21.3% Black, 14.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lincolnton, NC?
The median home value in Lincolnton is $248,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Lincolnton, North Carolina?
24.0% of adults (25+) in Lincolnton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.