City · North Carolina
Kannapolis, North Carolina
Kannapolis, city, mostly in Cabarrus County (80.7% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Rowan County, North Carolina. Kannapolis had 61,708 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 16.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 53,114 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 57,890 (±42). GEOID 3735200.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
61,708
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 53,114 · ACS 2020-2024: 57,890 ±42
Median household income
$73,836
±$4,039 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$276,400
±$13,177 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,319
±$67 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Kannapolis and what county is it in?
Kannapolis is a city mostly in Cabarrus County (80.7% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Rowan County, North Carolina. It covers 34.9 square miles of land, 1,520 residents per square mile in 2020.
Kannapolis is in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 11 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cabarrus County | 42,846 | 80.7% |
| Rowan County | 10,268 | 19.3% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Kannapolis, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 61,708 people lived in Kannapolis on July 1, 2025, up 16.0% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 53,114 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 57,890 (±42).
The yearly series starts from the Census Bureau's July 2020 estimate, 55,350, which differs from its April 2020 base of 53,176 (in 2020 the estimates dipped in many college and military towns), so the first step is large; the change since 2020 above is measured from the April base.
| Measure | Kannapolis | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 57,890 ±42 | 236,133 | +9,260 |
| Households | 22,509 ±677 | 84,246 | +5,261 |
| Average household size | 2.56 ±0.08 | 2.78 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 25,395 ±708 | 93,691 | +5,962 |
Kannapolis's population since 2000
From 36,910 in 2000 to 61,708 in 2025: up 67.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Kannapolis as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Kannapolis?
The median resident of Kannapolis is 36.9 years old; 22.3% are under 18 and 14.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 55.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 21.9%. 9.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kannapolis | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.9 ±1.9 | 37.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.3% ±1.6 pts | 25.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.5% ±1.6 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Male | 50.6% ±1.4 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.4% ±2.2 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 55.5% ±2.8 pts | 57.3% | −4.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 21.9% ±2.0 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.2% ±0.9 pts | 6.2% | +1.6 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.4% ±1.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.6% ±1.8 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.2% ±2.3 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9% ±1.3 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7% ±1.4 pts | 11.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.9% ±1.7 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.3% ±1.5 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.7% ±2.6 pts | 37.9% | +7.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.6% ±1.9 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.2% ±1.8 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6% ±0.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Kannapolis earn?
Half of Kannapolis's 22,509 households earn less than $73,836 a year (±$4,039), against $89,005 in Cabarrus County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $65,676 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,160 after inflation. 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kannapolis | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,836 ±$4,039 | $89,005 | +$8,160 |
| Mean household income | $94,585 ±$7,108 | $115,945 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,838 ±$2,633 | $42,636 | +$4,151 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.6% ±2.2 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.9% ±5.6 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.4% ±2.4 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.0% ±1.6 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.8% ±2.0 pts | 93.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Kannapolis?
Owners occupy 65.6% of Kannapolis's occupied homes and renters 34.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $276,400 by its owner (±$13,177). The median renter pays $1,319 a month including utilities, and 39.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kannapolis | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $276,400 ±$13,177 | $354,800 | +$98,688 |
| Median gross rent | $1,319 ±$67 | $1,414 | +$266 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.8% ±5.7 pts | 40.8% | +7.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,603 ±$60 | $1,806 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.6% ±2.6 pts | 71.2% | +5.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 34.4% ±2.6 pts | 28.8% | – |
| Housing units | 25,395 ±708 | 93,691 | +5,962 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.8% ±2.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.3% ±2.2 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.5% ±1.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.1% ±1.1 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 19.2% ±2.6 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.6% ±1.8 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.9% ±2.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Kannapolis work and get to work?
76.3% of Kannapolis's workers drive alone and 11.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | Kannapolis | Cabarrus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.5% ±1.9 pts | 68.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% ±1.0 pts | 4.6% | −2.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.3% ±2.4 pts | 72.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.6% ±1.6 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.6% ±1.7 pts | 17.2% | +6.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.2 min ±1.2 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Kannapolis?
12 census tracts lie mostly in Kannapolis, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $40,217 (Tract 407.03) to $90,324 (Tract 412.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 412.02Cabarrus County | 8,281 | $90,324 |
| Tract 411Cabarrus County | 7,254 | $80,040 |
| Tract 515.01Rowan County | 5,510 | $78,164 |
| Tract 514Rowan County | 8,425 | $75,714 |
| Tract 407.05Cabarrus County | 4,258 | $75,000 |
| Tract 408Cabarrus County | 4,002 | $54,672 |
| Tract 413.01Cabarrus County | 8,645 | $140,448 |
| Tract 410.02Cabarrus County | 3,296 | $56,250 |
| Tract 407.04Cabarrus County | 3,840 | $61,530 |
| Tract 410.01Cabarrus County | 2,966 | $83,786 |
| Tract 407.01Cabarrus County | 2,373 | $58,504 |
| Tract 407.03Cabarrus County | 2,753 | $40,217 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Kannapolis) · Census block assignment files
How does Kannapolis compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Kannapolis is the 651st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 18th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Kannapolis ranks 159th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 18th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 35th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 75th | 443 |
| Median household income | 159th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 154th | 443 |
| Median home value | 183rd | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 99th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 210th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 181st | 421 |
| Median age | 325th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 235th | 443 |
| Work from home | 174th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 151st | 439 |
Kannapolis's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Kannapolis with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Kannapolis?
5 of the 57 figures for Kannapolis on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Kannapolis are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Kannapolis.