Cornelius, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Cornelius, North Carolina is 32,009 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 32nd-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $114,688, the median home value is $512,400, and the median age is 44.8.
The population has grown 37.4% since 2010 (25,009 → 34,366).
32,009
Population
2522
People / sq mi
$114,688
Median Income
$512,400
Median Home Value
Get Cornelius's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Cornelius covers 12.7 sq mi of land at 2522 people per square mile.
About Cornelius, NC
Cornelius is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 60.1% of the population. Cornelius is a city in North Carolina with a population of 32,009. It ranks #32 among cities in North Carolina by population.
Households take in a median $114,688, comfortably above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 3.8%, is on the lower side for US cities and below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $512,400, with typical rent around $1,571.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US cities — 59.6% of adults hold a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. An unusually large 26.5% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.
The large foreign-born share is a defining thread in Cornelius, shaping language, household composition, and the labor force behind the economic figures above.
Cornelius town Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Cornelius town had a population of 25,009 in 2010 and 34,366 in 2024, a 37.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 34,366 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.30%.
34,366
Population (2024)
25,009
Population (2010)
34,366
Peak (2024)
2.30%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 25,009 |
| 2011 | 25,582 |
| 2012 | 26,240 |
| 2013 | 26,906 |
| 2014 | 27,470 |
| 2015 | 28,113 |
| 2016 | 28,724 |
| 2017 | 29,342 |
| 2018 | 29,780 |
| 2019 | 30,257 |
| 2020 | 31,523 |
| 2021 | 31,729 |
| 2022 | 32,747 |
| 2023 | 33,485 |
| 2024 | 34,366 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 84.7% |
| Black or African American | 4.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$114,688
Median Household Income
$81,937
Per Capita Income
3.8%
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$512,400
Median Home Value
$1,571
Median Rent
69.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.9%
High School+
59.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.7%
Drive Alone
66.2%
Public Transit
26.5%
Work From Home
25.0 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
60.1%
Foreign Born
91.7%
Non-English at Home
6.1%
Veterans
6.2%
With Disability
95.2%
Health Insurance
98.1%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 19.8% |
| Information | 14.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 14.5% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.3% |
| Manufacturing | 8.2% |
| Construction | 6.3% |
| Retail Trade | 5.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.9% |
| Public Administration | 1.3% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.1% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Cornelius, North Carolina has a population of 32,009 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 32nd-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Cornelius, North Carolina is $114,688, with 3.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Cornelius, North Carolina is $512,400, with median monthly rent at $1,571 and a homeownership rate of 69.7%.
The median age in Cornelius, North Carolina is 44.8 years. The population is 47.1% male and 52.9% female.
The population has grown 37.4% since 2010 (25,009 → 34,366).
Cornelius town, NC Climate
Cornelius town, NC has an average annual temperature of 15.2°C (59°F) and receives about 1153 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
15.2°C
Avg Temp
1153
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4° / 40° | 99 mm |
| February | 6° / 43° | 94 mm |
| March | 10° / 51° | 114 mm |
| April | 15° / 59° | 78 mm |
| May | 19° / 67° | 101 mm |
| June | 24° / 74° | 103 mm |
| July | 26° / 78° | 104 mm |
| August | 25° / 77° | 100 mm |
| September | 22° / 71° | 96 mm |
| October | 16° / 60° | 93 mm |
| November | 11° / 51° | 82 mm |
| December | 6° / 43° | 89 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Cornelius town, NC
The most comfortable months to visit Cornelius town, NC are typically September, May and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 32°C high). The coldest is January (near -2°C low). March is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Cornelius
Visiting or relocating to Cornelius, NC? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Cornelius
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a move to Cornelius?
Get relocation and cost-of-living insights for Cornelius, NC by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
More from North Carolina
Population 886,283
Population 470,763
Population 298,564
Population 288,465
Population 250,887
Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.