City · North Carolina
Lenoir, North Carolina
Lenoir, city, in Caldwell County, North Carolina. Lenoir had 18,372 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 18,352 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 18,299 (±64). GEOID 3737760.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,372
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,352 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,299 ±64
Median household income
$49,910
±$6,914 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$179,400
±$15,798 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$664
±$58 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Lenoir and what county is it in?
Lenoir is a city in Caldwell County, North Carolina. It covers 20.8 square miles of land, 881 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lenoir is in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 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 Lenoir, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 18,372 people lived in Lenoir on July 1, 2025, up 0.1% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 18,352 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 18,299 (±64).
| Measure | Lenoir | Caldwell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,299 ±64 | 80,536 | +420 |
| Households | 8,199 ±450 | 32,919 | +859 |
| Average household size | 2.17 ±0.12 | 2.42 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 9,047 ±501 | 37,387 | no clear change |
Lenoir's population since 2000
From 16,793 in 2000 to 18,372 in 2025: up 9.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lenoir 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 Lenoir?
The median resident of Lenoir is 45.7 years old; 19.5% are under 18 and 22.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 73.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 13.2%. 7.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lenoir | Caldwell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.7 ±3.3 | 45.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.5% ±3.0 pts | 19.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.9% ±2.9 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Male | 46.0% ±2.7 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.2% ±3.5 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 73.2% ±3.8 pts | 85.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.0% ±2.0 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±1.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.1% ±2.9 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.4% ±4.1 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8% ±2.0 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 23.6% ±3.9 pts | 18.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.5% ±2.8 pts | 10.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.2% ±3.3 pts | 84.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.2% ±3.4 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5% ±1.7 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.3% ±3.0 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.6% ±2.5 pts | 1.5% | – |
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 Lenoir earn?
Half of Lenoir's 8,199 households earn less than $49,910 a year (±$6,914), against $56,425 in Caldwell County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $45,234 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lenoir | Caldwell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,910 ±$6,914 | $56,425 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $64,680 ±$5,088 | $75,197 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,565 ±$2,230 | $31,914 | +$4,314 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.6% ±4.1 pts | 13.4% | −7.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.9% ±10.7 pts | 19.6% | −16.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.9% ±4.8 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 86.5% ±3.8 pts | 89.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.0% ±4.4 pts | 86.4% | – |
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 Lenoir?
Owners occupy 64.2% of Lenoir's occupied homes and renters 35.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $179,400 by its owner (±$15,798). The median renter pays $664 a month including utilities, and 29.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lenoir | Caldwell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $179,400 ±$15,798 | $192,200 | +$42,424 |
| Median gross rent | $664 ±$58 | $744 | −$106 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.0% ±8.8 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,195 ±$71 | $1,191 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.2% ±5.0 pts | 73.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 35.8% ±5.0 pts | 26.5% | – |
| Housing units | 9,047 ±501 | 37,387 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.7% ±2.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1% ±3.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.1% ±4.6 pts | 73.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.9% ±2.4 pts | 15.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.3% ±2.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.7% ±3.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.9% ±2.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
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 Lenoir work and get to work?
77.2% of Lenoir's workers drive alone and 11.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Lenoir | Caldwell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.7% ±4.4 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% ±2.5 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.2% ±5.7 pts | 81.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.5% ±4.3 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.1% ±3.8 pts | 7.1% | +8.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min ±3.3 | 25.9 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 Lenoir?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Lenoir, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $41,180 (Tract 304) to $70,512 (Tract 305).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 301Caldwell County | 5,643 | $46,628 |
| Tract 305Caldwell County | 5,104 | $70,512 |
| Tract 304Caldwell County | 4,188 | $41,180 |
| Tract 302Caldwell County | 5,365 | $55,386 |
| Tract 303Caldwell County | 4,118 | $48,456 |
| Tract 306Caldwell County | 4,798 | $65,729 |
| Tract 311Caldwell County | 4,357 | $68,723 |
| Tract 312.02Caldwell County | 4,560 | $61,941 |
| Tract 312.01Caldwell County | 3,862 | $56,477 |
| Tract 314.01Caldwell County | 2,837 | $65,990 |
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 Lenoir) · Census block assignment files
How does Lenoir compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lenoir is the 2,076th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 60th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Lenoir ranks 320th 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 | 60th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 285th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 231st | 443 |
| Median household income | 320th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 289th | 443 |
| Median home value | 335th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 367th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 186th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 296th | 421 |
| Median age | 120th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 249th | 443 |
| Work from home | 182nd | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 197th | 439 |
Lenoir's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Lenoir 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 Lenoir?
10 of the 57 figures for Lenoir 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 Lenoir 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 Lenoir.