Town · North Carolina
Knightdale, North Carolina
Knightdale, town, in Wake County, North Carolina. Knightdale had 23,144 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 18.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 19,435 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 20,214 (±47). GEOID 3736080.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,144
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,435 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,214 ±47
Median household income
$103,220
±$11,333 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$380,100
±$19,701 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,674
±$81 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Knightdale and what county is it in?
Knightdale is a town in Wake County, North Carolina. It covers 9.6 square miles of land, 2,019 residents per square mile in 2020.
Knightdale is in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Knightdale, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 23,144 people lived in Knightdale on July 1, 2025, up 18.6% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 19,435 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 20,214 (±47).
| Measure | Knightdale | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,214 ±47 | 1,178,653 | +4,213 |
| Households | 7,594 ±392 | 460,175 | +1,484 |
| Average household size | 2.65 ±0.14 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,025 ±438 | 496,047 | +1,732 |
Knightdale's population since 2000
From 5,958 in 2000 to 23,144 in 2025: up 288.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Knightdale 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 Knightdale?
The median resident of Knightdale is 33.6 years old; 28.1% are under 18 and 9.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 44.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 33.8%. 12.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Knightdale | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.6 ±2.5 | 37.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 28.1% ±2.6 pts | 23.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 9.5% ±1.7 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Male | 47.5% ±2.4 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.9% ±3.0 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 33.8% ±3.9 pts | 56.2% | −5.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 44.5% ±5.1 pts | 18.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.0% ±2.4 pts | 8.5% | +3.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±2.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±1.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.0% ±3.2 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.1% ±3.5 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7% ±1.8 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 6.9% ±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.0% ±2.0 pts | 7.5% | −4.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.5% ±1.6 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 48.9% ±5.2 pts | 57.2% | +10.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 20.6% ±3.4 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.8% ±2.5 pts | 85.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0% ±1.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
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 Knightdale earn?
Half of Knightdale's 7,594 households earn less than $103,220 a year (±$11,333), against $105,768 in Wake County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $85,760 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $17,460 after inflation. 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Knightdale | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $103,220 ±$11,333 | $105,768 | +$17,460 |
| Mean household income | $117,876 ±$8,248 | $139,586 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,817 ±$3,362 | $55,448 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.3% ±2.4 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.4% ±4.1 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5% ±2.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.6% ±1.5 pts | 98.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.7% ±1.8 pts | 95.3% | – |
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 Knightdale?
Owners occupy 64.7% of Knightdale's occupied homes and renters 35.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $380,100 by its owner (±$19,701). The median renter pays $1,674 a month including utilities, and 32.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Knightdale | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $380,100 ±$19,701 | $461,300 | +$138,146 |
| Median gross rent | $1,674 ±$81 | $1,623 | +$245 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.4% ±9.7 pts | 38.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,880 ±$87 | $2,113 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.7% ±5.1 pts | 64.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 35.3% ±5.1 pts | 35.9% | – |
| Housing units | 8,025 ±438 | 496,047 | +1,732 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.6% ±5.0 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.9% ±4.0 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3% ±1.2 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.8% ±1.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 39.5% ±6.1 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.1% ±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.7% ±2.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
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 Knightdale building?
Builders took permits for 527 new housing units in Knightdale in 2025 (527 in single-family houses), 22.8 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 Knightdale work and get to work?
69.6% of Knightdale's workers drive alone and 19.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Knightdale | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 77.8% ±3.0 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% ±1.6 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.6% ±4.8 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.2% ±2.7 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.0% ±4.0 pts | 29.1% | +12.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.0 min ±1.5 | 25.1 min | −3.4 min |
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 Knightdale?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Knightdale, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $84,484 (Tract 541.15) to $117,250 (Tract 541.14).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 541.15Wake County | 8,947 | $84,484 |
| Tract 541.14Wake County | 8,114 | $117,250 |
| Tract 541.08Wake County | 8,943 | $86,667 |
| Tract 541.12Wake County | 3,644 | $102,556 |
| Tract 541.13Wake County | 5,624 | $78,265 |
| Tract 541.18Wake County | 5,274 | $89,589 |
| Tract 541.06Wake County | 9,648 | $72,118 |
| Tract 544.04Wake County | 8,076 | $77,396 |
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 Knightdale) · Census block assignment files
How does Knightdale compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Knightdale is the 1,717th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 45th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Knightdale ranks 57th 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 | 45th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 23rd | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 30th | 443 |
| Median household income | 57th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 99th | 443 |
| Median home value | 100th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 39th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 313th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 72nd | 421 |
| Median age | 396th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 242nd | 443 |
| Work from home | 95th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 225th | 439 |
Knightdale's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Knightdale 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 Knightdale?
10 of the 57 figures for Knightdale 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 Knightdale 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 Knightdale.