Kinston
RANK #17 / 996 NAT · #1 / 51 NC · POP 55,071
1YR FORECAST: +3.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +43%
Lenoir County, North Carolina, is perhaps best known for Kinston, its county seat, a city with a notable Civil War history, including the CSS Neuse, a recovered Confederate ironclad gunboat available for tours. Located in the Coastal Plain region of eastern North Carolina, Lenoir County is approximately an hour and a half drive from Raleigh. The community offers a quieter pace of life. Residents primarily rely on personal vehicles for commuting, though Lenoir County Transit provides demand-response services for various needs, including work and medical appointments. The Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department maintains 16 parks and offers a range of activities.
Life in Lenoir County is characterized by a small-town feel, with many residents owning their homes. The public school system, Lenoir County Public Schools, serves over 8,000 students across 17 schools and is recognized for its early college high school and STEM programs. Recent economic developments include expansions by companies like Electrolux, investing over $23 million and adding jobs in Kinston, and Cardon Rehabilitation and Medical Equipment USA establishing its U.S. headquarters there. The local economy is supported by sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and education.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lenoir County ranks #17 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 98/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $43,063 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Lenoir County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $101,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.42 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $792/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Lenoir County are both close to flat — population -0.5% YoY and jobs +0.3%. Home values shifted +2.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.41% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lenoir County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.