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.

MyTownView

Kinston, NC

MSAKinston#1/3 Population

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

19,505population

42.9median age

This community is a community of 19,505 with a median age of 42.9. The population is predominantly Black (67.5%) with a significant White community (22.7%). Median household income is $36,878. 82.8% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 16.4% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 42.5%, with a median home value of $119,300.

Race & Ethnicityi

Black

67.5%13,170

White

22.7%4,422

Two or More

4.5%868

Hispanic/Latino

3.2%624

Asian

1.5%286

Other

0.4%83

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%34

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1%18

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

8.5%1,145

High School Diploma

25.9%3,505

Some College (<1 yr)

6.9%936

Some College (1+ yr)

15.1%2,039

Associate's Degree

10.1%1,362

Bachelor's Degree

9.5%1,290

Master's Degree

5.5%751

Professional Degree

0.7%95

Doctorate

0.6%85

HS or Higher

82.8%

BA or Higher

16.4%

Graduate+

6.9%

Housingi

$119,300median home value

$867median rent

42.5%homeownership

10,599total units

16.1%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 42.5%

Renter 57.5%

Home Values

Under $50K

19.9%754

$50K–$100K

23.4%886

$100K–$150K

18.2%687

$150K–$200K

16.7%630

$200K–$300K

15.4%583

$300K–$500K

4.2%159

$500K–$1M

1.8%67

$1M+

0.4%17

Rent Distribution

Under $500

993

$500–$750

850

$750–$1,000

1,498

$1,000–$1,250

1,143

$1,250–$1,500

290

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.6%60

2010–2019

3%321

2000–2009

2.9%303

1990–1999

9.1%968

1980–1989

9.5%1,004

1970–1979

17.5%1,854

1960–1969

19.5%2,071

1950–1959

18.7%1,986

1940–1949

7.3%778

1939 or earlier

11.8%1,254

Heating Fuel

Electricity

54.7%4,866

Utility Gas

35.4%3,151

Bottled/LP Gas

5.9%528

Fuel Oil

1.9%165

No Fuel

1.1%96

Wood

1%85

Household Economyi

$36,878median household income

$29,087per capita income

27.1%poverty rate

16%unemployment

8,169labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

10.3%919

$10K–$15K

8.6%762

$15K–$20K

8.5%755

$20K–$25K

4.6%409

$25K–$30K

5.9%525

$30K–$35K

8.7%772

$35K–$40K

6.9%613

$40K–$45K

4.6%409

$45K–$50K

4.8%427

$50K–$60K

5.5%488

$60K–$75K

7.6%679

$75K–$100K

11.4%1,010

$100K–$125K

4.6%405

$125K–$150K

2.7%239

$150K–$200K

2.9%262

$200K+

2.4%217

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

1,771

Residentsi

3,147

Avg. Tenant Renti

$340/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

11 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing640 homes100% occupied$256/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers726 homes83% occupied$425/mo rent

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

Project Based Section 8402 homes95% occupied$320/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $36,878/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $11K/yr

76%

Very low income$11K–$18K/yr

18.9%

Low income$18K–$30K/yr

Moderate / aboveOver $30K/yr

1.1%

Who Receives This Housing

77.7% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

93.3% of subsidized households are minority

26.3% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

36.2% 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

6933.6%

By Region

Top Countries

India

100

Mexico

China

Guatemala

Germany

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

6,485

Avg. Commutei

20.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

6,781

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,443(9.5% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

90.6%Insured

9.4%Uninsured