City · North Carolina
King, North Carolina
King, city, mostly in Stokes County (91.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Forsyth County, North Carolina. King had 7,977 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,197 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,408 (±245). GEOID 3735760.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,977
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,197 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,408 ±245
Median household income
$57,817
±$11,726 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$238,200
±$17,323 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$895
±$178 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is King and what county is it in?
King is a city mostly in Stokes County (91.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Forsyth County, North Carolina. It covers 6.2 square miles of land, 1,164 residents per square mile in 2020.
King is in the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Stokes County | 6,606 | 91.8% |
| Forsyth County | 591 | 8.2% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in King, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,977 people lived in King on July 1, 2025, up 10.8% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 7,197 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,408 (±245).
| Measure | King | Stokes County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,408 ±245 | 45,139 | +447 |
| Households | 3,216 ±250 | 19,546 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.21 ±0.19 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,351 ±265 | 21,497 | no clear change |
King's population since 2000
From 5,952 in 2000 to 7,977 in 2025: up 34.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for King 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 King?
The median resident of King is 42.3 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 23.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.3%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | King | Stokes County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3 ±7.7 | 47.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8% ±3.8 pts | 18.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.1% ±4.2 pts | 23.1% | – |
| Male | 47.1% ±4.1 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.3% ±5.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.9% ±6.6 pts | 89.0% | −10.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.0% ±3.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.4% ±1.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.8% ±1.1 pts | 1.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.3% ±1.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4% ±3.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.0% ±3.9 pts | 20.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.8% ±5.1 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.8% ±2.0 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.8% ±4.5 pts | 18.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8% ±2.6 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.5% ±3.1 pts | 91.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0% ±2.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
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 King earn?
Half of King's 3,216 households earn less than $57,817 a year (±$11,726), against $62,969 in Stokes County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $81,020 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $23,203 after inflation. 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | King | Stokes County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,817 ±$11,726 | $62,969 | −$23,203 |
| Mean household income | $76,176 ±$12,534 | $76,672 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,267 ±$6,347 | $33,945 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.0% ±3.5 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.0% ±4.9 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.5% ±8.6 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.1% ±4.0 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.3% ±4.5 pts | 86.7% | – |
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 King?
Owners occupy 65.1% of King's occupied homes and renters 34.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $238,200 by its owner (±$17,323). The median renter pays $895 a month including utilities, and 61.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | King | Stokes County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $238,200 ±$17,323 | $196,700 | +$43,750 |
| Median gross rent | $895 ±$178 | $775 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 61.8% ±16.3 pts | 40.1% | +26.4 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,451 ±$122 | $1,266 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.1% ±8.5 pts | 79.2% | −10.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 34.9% ±8.5 pts | 20.8% | – |
| Housing units | 3,351 ±265 | 21,497 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.4% ±5.5 pts | 69.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.1% ±1.6 pts | 24.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.9% ±3.9 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.8% ±1.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
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 King building?
Builders took permits for 173 new housing units in King in 2025 (173 in single-family houses), 21.7 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 King work and get to work?
82.4% of King's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes.
| Measure | King | Stokes County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.5% ±5.7 pts | 54.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.0% ±1.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 82.4% ±6.4 pts | 83.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.9% ±2.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1% ±5.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min ±5.6 | 31.6 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 King?
1 census tract lies mostly in King, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 705.03Stokes County | 5,630 | $68,026 |
| Tract 705.06Stokes County | 3,095 | $40,427 |
| Tract 705.05Stokes County | 3,175 | $61,558 |
| Tract 28.08Forsyth County | 3,846 | $54,750 |
| Tract 28.01Forsyth County | 4,826 | $86,818 |
| Tract 28.09Forsyth County | 3,693 | $85,508 |
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 King) · Census block assignment files
How does King compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, King is the 3,750th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 112th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
King ranks 257th 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 | 112th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 63rd | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 137th | 443 |
| Median household income | 257th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 202nd | 443 |
| Median home value | 229th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 255th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 287th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 272nd | 421 |
| Median age | 182nd | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 238th | 443 |
| Work from home | 198th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 197th | 439 |
King's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare King 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 King?
16 of the 57 figures for King 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 King 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 King.