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Kinston, NC
City in Lenoir County, North Carolina.
Population
19,505
Land area
18.3sq mi
People per sq mi
1,067
ZIP codes
0
Kinston and its ZIP codes
Kinston at a glance
- Kinston is about 4.8 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- It is the 53rd most populous of 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- Households here earn a median of $36,878 a year, 49% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $119,300 (59% below North Carolina) and median rent is $867 a month.
Local data for Kinston, NC
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes1
- Schools7
- Colleges1
- Libraries1
- Banks9
- Post Offices4
- Parks12
- Grocery Stores15
- Restaurants97
- Affordable Housing8
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers2
- Community Health Centers6
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment4
- Private Schools2
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities4
- Historic Places15
Housing and community stats
Kinston, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$36,878
Poverty rate
27.9%
Median home value
$119,300
Median rent
$867/mo
Homeownership
42.5%
Bachelor's or higher
16.4%
Median age
42.9
Average commute
20.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (755), Irish Americans (699), Puerto Ricans (323).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Lenoir County. PPP loans are for Kinston.
Unemployment rate
3.9%
Aug 2026, -0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$52,662
29,635 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$56,998
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$437M
FY 2026, $7,936 per person
How people get to work
Kinston, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone80.0%
- Carpooled14.8%
- Public transit0.4%
- Walked1.4%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.1%
- Worked from home3.3%
Average one-way commute: 20.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Kinston, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
391
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
365
1.5% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
91° / 35°F
52.9 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone15 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Kinston, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
46.1%
U.S. 33.3% +12.8 pts
Diabetes
21.4%
U.S. 12.1% +9.3 pts
Smoking
21.4%
U.S. 12.8% +8.6 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
14.7%
U.S. 11.1% +3.6 pts
Cities near Kinston
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson HeightsCensus-designated place | 4.4 mi | 1.5 |
| GraingersCensus-designated place | 5.3 mi | 1.7 |
| DoverTown | 9.8 mi | 1 |
| HookertonTown | 10 mi | 0.4 |
| La GrangeTown | 11 mi | 2.3 |
| Deep RunCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 2.8 |
| GriftonTown | 12 mi | 2.7 |
| Snow HillTown | 13 mi | 1.6 |
| MauryCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 1.1 |
| Seven SpringsTown | 15 mi | 0.3 |
| Walnut CreekVillage | 16 mi | 2.1 |
| Cove CityTown | 16 mi | 0.6 |
| AydenTown | 17 mi | 3.8 |
| Pink HillTown | 17 mi | 0.5 |
| New HopeCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 2.5 |
| ElroyCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 6.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Kinston, NC in?
- Kinston is in Lenoir County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Kinston, NC?
- About 19,505 people live in Kinston, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Kinston?
- Nearby places include Jackson Heights (4.4 mi), Graingers (5.3 mi), Dover (9.8 mi), Hookerton (10 mi), La Grange (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023