Living in Lenoir, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lenoir · Census data 2020–2024
Lenoir has 18,299 residents with a median age of 45.7. The median household income is $49,910 (31% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $179,400, the median rent is $664/month.
Lenoir at a glance
- Population
- 18,299
- Median age
- 45.7State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $49,910State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $179,400State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $664/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 64.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.2%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Lenoir a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%.
Cons: Median household income 31% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 14.6%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Lenoir
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lenoir the median home value is $179,400, 46% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $664 per month, which is 24% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,195 a month in housing costs.
Lenoir median household income
The median household income in Lenoir is $49,910 and the income per person is $29,565. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Lenoir: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,047
- Owner-occupied
- 64.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.8%
- Vacant
- 9.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.17
Lenoir demographics
- Population
- 18,299
- Median age
- 45.7
- Under 18
- 19.5%
- 65 and older
- 22.9%
- Households
- 8,199
- Foreign-born
- 7.1%
- Veterans
- 6.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lenoir ›
Education in Lenoir
21.2% of adults 25 and older in Lenoir have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 5.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lenoir
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 11.1%
- Drive alone
- 77.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 82%
Lenoir vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | $179,400 | $664 |
| Cajah's Mountain | 2,704 | $53,361 | $201,800 | $729 |
| Cedar Rock | 306 | $95,625 | $424,500 | $1,094 |
| Hudson | 3,772 | $65,268 | $223,000 | $549 |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | $170,100 | $808 |
| Sawmills | 5,042 | $71,067 | $219,600 | $730 |
| Granite Falls | 4,929 | $56,917 | $202,400 | $905 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | $206,500 | $884 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | $185,600 | $853 |
More for people moving to Lenoir
Lenoir ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lenoir: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lenoir, NC?
The median household income in Lenoir is $49,910, 31% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Lenoir?
The median home value in Lenoir is $179,400, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Lenoir?
The median gross rent in Lenoir is $664 per month, about 24% of household income.
Is Lenoir, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%. Minuses: median household income 31% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 14.6%.
What is the median age in Lenoir?
The median age in Lenoir is 45.7 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Lenoir?
The average commute to work in Lenoir is 25 minutes; 11.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lenoir?
The unemployment rate in Lenoir is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lenoir?
21.2% of adults in Lenoir have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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