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Population Review

Census ACS · #580 μSA

Kinston Metro Area

The Kinston, Nc Micropolitan Statistical Area has 54,917 residents. The median household income is $44,795 and the median home value is $111,400.

54,917

Population

138

People / sq mi

$44,795

Median Income

$111,400

Median Home Value

The Kinston CBSA covers 399 sq mi of land at 137.6 people per square mile.

Race & Ethnicity

White50.6%
Black or African American39.7%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.4%

Economy & Income

$44,795

Median Household Income

$28,409

Per Capita Income

17.4%

Poverty Rate

4.0%

Unemployment

Housing

$111,400

Median Home Value

$814

Median Rent

59.3%

Homeownership

Education

82.5%

High School+

15.8%

Bachelor's+

Commute

0.5%

Drive Alone

2.9%

Work From Home

24.2 min

Avg Commute

18.7%

Foreign Born

Kinston spans this state

Nearby metros

Largest cities in North Carolina

Largest counties in North Carolina

Part of North Carolina

Other metros

Metro areas in North Carolina

Metro rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

The Kinston, Nc Micropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 54,917 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #580 largest CBSA in the US.

The median household income in the Kinston metro area is $44,795, with a per capita income of $28,409.

The Kinston, Nc CBSA spans the state of North Carolina.

Where to stay near Kinston

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Data for the Kinston, Nc CBSA (28820) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.

What sets Kinston apart is money: median household income runs $44,795, below the US median of $78,538. Kinston is a metro area in NC with a population of 54,917.

Money is tight relative to the rest of US metro areas: the median household earns just $44,795, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 17.4%, is among the steepest of comparable US metro areas and above the national 12.4%. Housing costs are among the lowest of comparable places: a median home value of $111,400, with typical rent around $814.

Kinston is among the least college-educated US metro areas, at 15.8% — below the national 35.0%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.