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Lenoir County, NC
6 cities and towns and 5 ZIP codes in Lenoir County, North Carolina.
Population
54,919
Land area
399sq mi
People per sq mi
138
ZIP codes
5
Cities and towns in Lenoir County
Lenoir County at a glance
- Lenoir County is 38% less dense than North Carolina as a whole.
- The median household income is $45,143, 38% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $120,500 (58% below North Carolina) and median rent is $861 a month.
- Its largest cities are Kinston (19,505), La Grange (2,756) and Jackson Heights (794).
Local data for Lenoir County, NC
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes3
- Schools20
- Colleges1
- Libraries3
- Banks11
- Post Offices7
- Parks15
- Grocery Stores29
- Restaurants144
- Affordable Housing10
- Home Health Agencies2
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers2
- Rehab & Long-Term Care Hospitals1
- Community Health Centers16
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment4
- Private Schools3
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities6
- Historic Places19
Housing and community stats
Lenoir County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$45,143
Poverty rate
22.0%
Median home value
$120,500
Prices +2.1% in a year
Median rent
$861/mo
Homeownership
59.2%
Bachelor's or higher
16.3%
Median age
41.9
Average commute
24.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (3,279), Irish Americans (3,028), German Americans (2,753).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
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
PPP loans
$94.66M
1,406 loans, 11,206 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$285K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Lenoir County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.4%
- Carpooled12.2%
- Public transit0.6%
- Walked0.9%
- Bicycle0.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.4%
- Worked from home3.4%
Average one-way commute: 24.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Lenoir County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
391
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
365
1.5% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
90° / 31°F
53.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone19 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Lenoir County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
42.4%
U.S. 33.3% +9.1 pts
Diabetes
17.8%
U.S. 12.1% +5.7 pts
Smoking
19.3%
U.S. 12.8% +6.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
13.9%
U.S. 11.1% +2.8 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Lenoir County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Lenoir County, NC?
- Kinston is the largest city or town in Lenoir County, with about 19,505 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Lenoir County?
- Lenoir County includes 5 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 28501, 28504, 28525, 28551, 28572.
- What is the population of Lenoir County, NC?
- About 54,919 people live in Lenoir County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Lenoir County?
- Lenoir County borders Pitt County, Wayne County, Craven County, Duplin County, Greene County, Jones County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023