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Cornelius, NC
Town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 28031.
Population
32,783
Land area
12.7sq mi
People per sq mi
2,582
ZIP codes
1
Cornelius and its ZIP codes
Cornelius at a glance
- Cornelius is about 12 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 32nd among 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- The median household income is $113,767, 57% above the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $559,400 (94% above North Carolina) and median rent is $1,722 a month.
Local data for Cornelius, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Cornelius, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$113,767
Poverty rate
5.4%
Median home value
$559,400
Median rent
$1,722/mo
Homeownership
69.5%
Bachelor's or higher
62.2%
Median age
44.0
Average commute
25.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (6,558), Irish Americans (4,985), Italian Americans (3,186).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Mecklenburg County. PPP loans are for Cornelius.
Unemployment rate
3.7%
Aug 2026, -0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$91,381
791,613 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$86,098
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$5.43B
FY 2026, $4,872 per person
PPP loans
$103M
1,553 loans, 13,326 jobs reported
How people get to work
Cornelius, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone63.8%
- Carpooled4.9%
- Public transit0.9%
- Walked1.1%
- Bicycle0.4%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.7%
- Worked from home28.2%
Average one-way commute: 25.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Cornelius, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: tornado
Storm events since 1996
878
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
2,468
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
90° / 32°F
43.6 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Cornelius, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
25.8%
U.S. 33.3% -7.5 pts
Diabetes
8.6%
U.S. 12.1% -3.5 pts
Smoking
8.7%
U.S. 12.8% -4.1 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.3%
U.S. 11.1% -4.8 pts
ZIP codes in Cornelius
1 in or overlapping Cornelius. Population shown
Cities near Cornelius
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| DavidsonTown | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
| HuntersvilleTown | 4.7 mi | 41.8 |
| Lake Norman of IredellCensus-designated place | 5.3 mi | 10.1 |
| WestportCensus-designated place | 5.9 mi | 3.7 |
| LowesvilleCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 6.8 |
| MooresvilleTown | 8.8 mi | 27.4 |
| DenverCensus-designated place | 8.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Lake Norman of CatawbaCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 24.1 |
| Mount HollyCity | 13 mi | 11.3 |
| EnochvilleCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 4 |
| AlexisCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 2 |
| StanleyTown | 14 mi | 3.1 |
| KannapolisCity | 14 mi | 34.9 |
| Iron StationCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 2.4 |
| ConcordCity | 15 mi | 64.7 |
| TroutmanTown | 16 mi | 8.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Cornelius, NC in?
- Cornelius is in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Cornelius, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Cornelius include 28031.
- What is the population of Cornelius, NC?
- About 32,783 people live in Cornelius, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Cornelius?
- Nearby places include Davidson (4.1 mi), Huntersville (4.7 mi), Lake Norman of Iredell (5.3 mi), Westport (5.9 mi), Lowesville (7.1 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023