Population
55,837
2025
+1.4% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Kinston, NC micro area: population growth, jobs and income
The Kinston, NC micro area gained 405 residents between 2024 and 2025 (+0.7%).
The Kinston, NC micro area had an estimated 55,837 residents in 2025, up 1.4% (775 more people) since 2020.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now.
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+563
2025
10.1 per 1,000 residents
+1,638 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
New homes permitted
131
2025
−11.5% since 2024
2.3 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$45,143
2020–24
+13.1% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
25,562
2023
+7.6% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
Net migration (IRS tax returns)
+460
2022–23
Source: IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data, 2022–23. People on tax returns moving in minus moving out, U.S. and abroad; the sum of the member counties (moves between them cancel out).
Population, migration, employment, permits, unemployment and income are the figures each agency publishes for the area itself (OMB Bulletin 23-01 delineation; ACS 2016-20 and CBP 2018 use the delineation of their year). IRS migration is the sum of the member counties.
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 563 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Private employers had 25,562 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +7.6% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Builders were authorized to start 131 new homes in 2025, or 2.3 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $45,143 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +13.1% since 2016–20.
Population growth over five years ranks 15th of 23 North Carolina micro areas and 215th of 538 U.S. micro areas.
IRS tax-return data for 2022-2023 show a net gain of 460 people (the sum of its counties).
How it ranks
| Measure | Among U.S. micro areas |
|---|---|
| Population growth | 215th of 538 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 60th of 538 |
| Private-sector job growth | 131st of 495 |
| Median household income | 515th of 538 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 222nd of 534 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment), against areas with a figure for the same period.
Fastest-growing metro areas in North Carolina · Fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.
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The County Growth and Demographics Report for Lenoir County, NC, the principal county of the Kinston, NC area, as a PDF: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
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Counties in this micro area
| County | Role | Residents2025 | Share of residents2025 | Change2020–2025 | Share of the change2020–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir County, NC | Central | 55,837 | 100.0% | +775 (+1.4%) | 100% |
Census Bureau population estimates (July 1). Shares are of the member counties' total; a share of the change shows only when every county moved the same way. – means no figure for the common period.
Nearby and similar metro areas
Next to this micro area
Similar in size
Questions
Is the Kinston, NC micro area growing?
Yes. Its population grew 1.4% between 2020 and 2025, about 775 more people (Census Bureau population estimates).
How many people moved to the Kinston, NC micro area?
On net, about 563 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the population of the Kinston, NC micro area?
About 55,837 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in the Kinston, NC micro area?
Private employers there had 25,562 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +7.6% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What is the median household income in the Kinston, NC micro area?
$45,143 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
- IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.