Kinston

County:: Lenoir County
County Seat:: No
Area (mi²):: 18.276
State:: North Carolina

Kinston is a city located in Lenoir County, North Carolina. Kinston has a 2025 population of 19,181. Kinston is currently declining at a rate of -0.6% annually and its population has decreased by -2.91% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 19,756 in 2020.

The average household income in Kinston is $53,195 with a poverty rate of 28.89%. The median age in Kinston is 42.9 years: 36 years for males, and 45.7 years for females.

Demographics

The racial composition of Kinston includes 65.88% Black or African American, 24.82% White, and smaller percentages for Asian, other race, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Native American and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Black or African American

White

Two or more races

Asian

Other race

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Native American

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
Black or African American	12,897	65.88%
White	4,858	24.82%
Two or more races	1,142	5.83%
Asian	301	1.54%
Other race	298	1.52%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	48	0.25%
Native American	32	0.16%

Kinston Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Kinston's average per capita income is $34,040. Household income levels show a median of $35,250. The poverty rate stands at 28.89%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.

Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.

Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.

Name	Median	Mean
Married Families	$84,269	-
Families	$50,625	$72,216
Households	$35,250	$53,195
Non Families	$26,503	$34,386

$34,040

Average Income

$35,250

Median Household Income

28.89%

Poverty Rate