Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Lexington, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

19,690

Median Agei

36.7

Race & Ethnicityi

White

42.7%8,417

Hispanic/Latino

24.1%4,741

Black

23.2%4,562

Two or More

4.6%915

Asian

3.7%727

Other

1.6%314

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%14

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

8.8%1,170

High School Diploma

23.9%3,161

Some College (<1 yr)

10.2%1,345

Some College (1+ yr)

16.1%2,137

Associate's Degree

7.8%1,036

Bachelor's Degree

9%1,186

Master's Degree

3%392

Professional Degree

0.7%99

Doctorate

0.2%32

HS or Higher

79.7%

BA or Higher

12.9%

Graduate+

3.9%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$179,900

Median Renti

$893

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

41.6%3,135

Renter-Occupied

58.4%4,394

Total Units

8,905

Homeownership

41.6%

Vacancy Rate

15.5%

Home Values

Under $50K

8.6%270

$50K–$100K

14.6%459

$100K–$150K

15.3%481

$150K–$200K

19.9%623

$200K–$300K

25.3%794

$300K–$500K

14.2%445

$500K–$1M

2%63

Rent Distribution

Under $500

313

$500–$750

863

$750–$1,000

1,281

$1,000–$1,250

1,004

$1,250–$1,500

610

$1,500–$2,000

224

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

1.5%138

2010–2019

3.1%278

2000–2009

13%1,162

1990–1999

5.2%462

1980–1989

9%799

1970–1979

16.6%1,476

1960–1969

13.1%1,163

1950–1959

19.1%1,701

1940–1949

5.3%475

1939 or earlier

14%1,251

Heating Fuel

Electricity

61.6%4,636

Utility Gas

33.4%2,518

Fuel Oil

2.7%200

No Fuel

1.5%110

Bottled/LP Gas

0.7%53

Wood

0.1%6

Other

0.1%6

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$43,128

Mean Household Incomei

$57,691

Per Capita Incomei

$22,661

Poverty Ratei

26.7%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

8,405

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.5%341

$10K–$15K

8.9%669

$15K–$20K

7.6%575

$20K–$25K

2.8%210

$25K–$30K

6.6%500

$30K–$35K

9.4%708

$35K–$40K

6.3%476

$40K–$45K

8.4%633

$45K–$50K

3.8%284

$50K–$60K

8.2%618

$60K–$75K

10.4%780

$75K–$100K

10.9%817

$100K–$125K

5.3%401

$125K–$150K

2.4%184

$150K–$200K

2.9%220

$200K+

1.5%113

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

787

Residentsi

1,392

Avg. Tenant Renti

$346/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

27 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers568 homes70% occupied$340/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8167 homes97% occupied$357/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC30 homes98% occupied$403/mo rent

811/PRAC22 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $43,128/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $13K/yr

73.5%

Very low income$13K–$22K/yr

22.7%

Low income$22K–$35K/yr

2.8%

Moderate / aboveOver $35K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

83.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

64% of subsidized households are minority

22% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

36.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2,56913%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

1,437

India

Germany

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

7,505

Avg. Commutei

25.5 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

7,834

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

961(6.5% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

85.4%Insured

14.6%Uninsured