City profile
Kinston, NC
Lenoir County · Population 19,505
Kinston is a town in Lenoir County, NC with about 19,505 residents and a typical home value near $119,000. It is 68 miles from Raleigh, NC, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Mild & temperate
Winter avg
43°F
Summer avg
80°F
Sunny days / yr
215
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$119,300
Typical monthly housing
$733
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
73
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.85%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.25%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.00%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 85/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Hurricane, Tornado
Nearest major airport
79 mi to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 46% Democratic / 53% Republican
Community
Population
19,505
Black population
67.6%
County
Lenoir County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸NC is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Part of the New Great Migration — a growing Black community in the South
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes (coast), inland flooding
Highlights
- About 19,505 residents
- Typical home value about $119,000
- 68 miles from Raleigh, NC
Trade-offs
- Smaller community with fewer local amenities
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.