Lincolnton, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Lincolnton, North Carolina is 11,503 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 86th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $43,294, the median home value is $224,600, and the median age is 37.7.
The population has grown 19.5% since 2010 (10,337 → 12,353).
11,503
Population
1283
People / sq mi
$43,294
Median Income
$224,600
Median Home Value
Lincolnton covers 9.0 sq mi of land at 1283 people per square mile.
About Lincolnton, NC
Lincolnton is a city in North Carolina with a population of 11,503. It ranks #86 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 37.7, younger than the national median. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
The median household income in Lincolnton is $43,294, below the US median of $74,580. 15.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $224,600, with monthly rent averaging $920. The homeownership rate of 45.3% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Lincolnton reflects 19.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.7% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 24.2 minutes each way.
Lincolnton city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Lincolnton city had a population of 10,337 in 2010 and 12,353 in 2024, a 19.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 12,353 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.29%.
12,353
Population (2024)
10,337
Population (2010)
12,353
Peak (2024)
1.29%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 10,337 |
| 2011 | 10,345 |
| 2012 | 10,385 |
| 2013 | 10,424 |
| 2014 | 10,456 |
| 2015 | 10,574 |
| 2016 | 10,624 |
| 2017 | 10,785 |
| 2018 | 10,961 |
| 2019 | 11,200 |
| 2020 | 11,135 |
| 2021 | 11,441 |
| 2022 | 11,827 |
| 2023 | 12,146 |
| 2024 | 12,353 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 64.0% |
| Black or African American | 20.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$43,294
Median Household Income
$28,039
Per Capita Income
15.7%
Poverty Rate
1.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$224,600
Median Home Value
$920
Median Rent
45.3%
Owner-Occupied
Education
87.3%
High School+
19.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
79.5%
Public Transit
8.7%
Work From Home
24.2 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
31.0%
Foreign Born
85.3%
Non-English at Home
10.3%
Veterans
17.2%
With Disability
89.4%
Health Insurance
95.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Manufacturing | 26.9% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 18.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.0% |
| Construction | 8.6% |
| Retail Trade | 7.1% |
| Public Administration | 6.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 5.4% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 2.6% |
| Information | 2.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincolnton, North Carolina has a population of 11,503 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 86th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Lincolnton, North Carolina is $43,294, with 15.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Lincolnton, North Carolina is $224,600, with median monthly rent at $920 and a homeownership rate of 45.3%.
The median age in Lincolnton, North Carolina is 37.7 years. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
The population has grown 19.5% since 2010 (10,337 → 12,353).
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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.