Town · North Carolina
Kernersville, North Carolina
Kernersville, town, mostly in Forsyth County (98.1% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Guilford County, North Carolina. Kernersville had 29,128 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 26,449 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 27,830 (±518). GEOID 3735600.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
29,128
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,449 · ACS 2020-2024: 27,830 ±518
Median household income
$71,918
±$3,532 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$290,700
±$13,158 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,082
±$77 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Kernersville and what county is it in?
Kernersville is a town mostly in Forsyth County (98.1% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Guilford County, North Carolina. It covers 19.1 square miles of land, 1,382 residents per square mile in 2020.
Kernersville is in the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forsyth County | 25,947 | 98.1% |
| Guilford County | 502 | 1.9% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Kernersville, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 29,128 people lived in Kernersville on July 1, 2025, up 9.9% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 26,449 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 27,830 (±518).
| Measure | Kernersville | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 27,830 ±518 | 389,977 | +3,254 |
| Households | 12,630 ±498 | 159,925 | +2,066 |
| Average household size | 2.19 ±0.08 | 2.37 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 13,134 ±504 | 175,631 | +1,710 |
Kernersville's population since 2000
From 17,126 in 2000 to 29,128 in 2025: up 70.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Kernersville 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 Kernersville?
The median resident of Kernersville is 39.3 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 17.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 17.5%. 6.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kernersville | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.3 ±1.7 | 38.4 | −2.7 |
| Under 18 years | 22.4% ±1.9 pts | 22.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.6% ±1.5 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±2.0 pts | 47.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.7% ±2.3 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.0% ±3.7 pts | 53.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 17.5% ±3.0 pts | 24.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±0.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.9% ±1.5 pts | 9.7% | −2.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.4% ±2.2 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7% ±1.3 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7% ±1.7 pts | 12.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.3% ±1.5 pts | 9.8% | −3.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.8% ±1.6 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.0% ±3.5 pts | 38.5% | +5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.8% ±2.5 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.8% ±3.0 pts | 87.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0% ±1.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
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 Kernersville earn?
Half of Kernersville's 12,630 households earn less than $71,918 a year (±$3,532), against $67,165 in Forsyth County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,559 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,359 after inflation. 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kernersville | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,918 ±$3,532 | $67,165 | +$8,359 |
| Mean household income | $91,581 ±$4,622 | $94,029 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,725 ±$2,144 | $39,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.6% ±2.7 pts | 14.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.2% ±6.8 pts | 21.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.3% ±1.9 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.1% ±1.1 pts | 95.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.7% ±1.9 pts | 90.2% | – |
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 Kernersville?
Owners occupy 60.5% of Kernersville's occupied homes and renters 39.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $290,700 by its owner (±$13,158). The median renter pays $1,082 a month including utilities, and 34.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kernersville | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $290,700 ±$13,158 | $250,400 | +$67,575 |
| Median gross rent | $1,082 ±$77 | $1,098 | +$104 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.3% ±6.2 pts | 39.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,653 ±$68 | $1,500 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.5% ±3.3 pts | 63.6% | +7.5 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.5% ±3.3 pts | 36.4% | – |
| Housing units | 13,134 ±504 | 175,631 | +1,710 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.2% ±2.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.4% ±3.8 pts | 66.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.3% ±1.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.5% ±1.2 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 16.2% ±2.7 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.1% ±2.0 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.9% ±1.1 pts | 6.2% | – |
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 many new homes is Kernersville building?
Builders took permits for 249 new housing units in Kernersville in 2025 (249 in single-family houses), 8.5 per 1,000 residents against 7.7 across North Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Kernersville work and get to work?
79.7% of Kernersville's workers drive alone and 12.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Kernersville | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.4% ±2.0 pts | 62.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% ±1.0 pts | 5.0% | −2.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.7% ±2.5 pts | 73.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.8% ±1.7 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.6% ±2.1 pts | 14.5% | +7.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.6 min ±1.4 | 22.7 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 Kernersville?
6 census tracts lie mostly in Kernersville, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $54,804 (Tract 32.02) to $91,116 (Tract 30.04).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 32.01Forsyth County | 4,946 | $80,893 |
| Tract 32.02Forsyth County | 4,082 | $54,804 |
| Tract 33.15Forsyth County | 4,037 | $64,945 |
| Tract 33.07Forsyth County | 4,670 | $67,848 |
| Tract 33.12Forsyth County | 4,604 | $78,909 |
| Tract 30.04Forsyth County | 3,572 | $91,116 |
| Tract 31.07Forsyth County | 4,018 | $91,111 |
| Tract 31.08Forsyth County | 3,591 | $55,507 |
| Tract 33.14Forsyth County | 3,285 | $98,325 |
| Tract 33.08Forsyth County | 8,387 | $104,236 |
| Tract 162.01Guilford County | 7,197 | $135,438 |
| Tract 30.03Forsyth County | 3,713 | $64,325 |
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 Kernersville) · Census block assignment files
How does Kernersville compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Kernersville is the 1,387th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 41st-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Kernersville ranks 169th 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 | 41st | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 83rd | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 93rd | 443 |
| Median household income | 169th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 124th | 443 |
| Median home value | 169th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 168th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 210th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 142nd | 421 |
| Median age | 256th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 284th | 443 |
| Work from home | 160th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 276th | 439 |
Kernersville's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Kernersville 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 Kernersville?
5 of the 57 figures for Kernersville 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 Kernersville 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 Kernersville.