Community Profiles
Creative energy thrives in Lenoir, the county seat of Caldwell County. A stroll through downtown is to experience the arts — the Smithsonian recognizes its permanent public outdoor sculpture collection as the largest per capita in the nation. This community spirit further fuels Lenoir to be a place where people forge partnerships to build a better future. From the entrepreneurs who made Lenoir the furniture manufacturing center of the South to the local biotech and cyberspace industries, Lenoir is continually growing.
| Population | 2000 | 2010 | 2025 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Lenoir | 18,432 | 18,330 | 18,472 | 18,431 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
| Population | 2025 |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | 984 |
| 5-9 | 994 |
| 10-14 | 1,084 |
| 15-19 | 1,050 |
| 20-24 | 1,077 |
| 25-29 | 1,043 |
| 30-34 | 1,145 |
| 35-39 | 1,036 |
| 40-44 | 1,140 |
| 45-49 | 1,149 |
| 50-54 | 1,177 |
| 55-59 | 1,190 |
| 60-64 | 1,183 |
| 65-69 | 1,207 |
| 70-74 | 1,095 |
| 75-79 | 852 |
| 80-84 | 576 |
| 85+ | 490 |
| 18+ | 14,769 |
| Median Age | 44 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
| City of Lenoir | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Total | 18,472.00 |
| White Alone | 72.36% |
| Black Alone | 11.99% |
| American Indian Alone | 0.51% |
| Asian Alone | 1.06% |
| Pacific Islander Alone | 0.06% |
| Some Other Race | 6.58% |
| Two or More Races | 7.43% |
| Hispanic Origin | 12.04% |
| Diversity Index | 56.80 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
Back To Top| Population | 2000 | 2010 | 2025 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Households | 7,564 | 7,640 | 7,749 | 7,845 |
| Housing Units | 8,150 | 8,622 | 8,562 | 8,641 |
| Owner Occupied Units | 4,759 | 4,940 | ||
| Renter Occupied Units | 2,990 | 2,905 | ||
| Vacant Units | 813 | 796 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
| City of Lenoir | 2025 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $202,213 | $273,386 |
| Average Home Value | $227,613 | $308,702 |
| <$50,000 | 308 | 325 |
| $50,000 - $99,999 | 730 | 462 |
| $100,000 - $149,999 | 795 | 417 |
| $150,000 - $199,999 | 516 | 389 |
| $200,000 - $249,999 | 689 | 580 |
| $250,000 - $299,999 | 583 | 635 |
| $300,000 - $399,999 | 464 | 658 |
| $400,000 - $499,999 | 495 | 944 |
| $500,000 - $749,999 | 124 | 331 |
| $1,000,000 + | 32 | 63 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
| Year Range | Houses Built |
|---|---|
| 2010 or Later | 363 |
| 2000-2009 | 501 |
| 1990-1999 | 1,148 |
| 1980-1989 | 1,295 |
| 1970-1979 | 1,387 |
| 1960-1969 | 1,098 |
| 1950-1959 | 1,314 |
| 1940-1949 | 563 |
| 1939 or Before | 908 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
Back To Top| City of Lenoir | 2025 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household | $51,857 | $55,225 |
| Average Household | $69,693 | $76,292 |
| Per Capita | $29,286 | $32,523 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
| City of Lenoir | 2025 |
|---|---|
| <$15,000 | 934 |
| $15,000 - $24,999 | 480 |
| $25,000 - $34,999 | 1,038 |
| $35,000 - $49,999 | 1,203 |
| $50,000 - $74,999 | 1,606 |
| $75,000 - $99,999 | 729 |
| $100,000 - $149,999 | 901 |
| $150,000 - $199,999 | 641 |
| $200,000+ | 217 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
Back To Top| Category | Commuters |
|---|---|
| Workers 16+ | 7,476 |
| In-County Residents | 5,067 |
| Out-of-County Residents | 2,337 |
| Drive Alone | 5,957 |
| Carpooled | 841 |
| Public Transport | 0 |
| Work at Home | 504 |
| Motorcycle | 13 |
| Bicycle | 0 |
| Walked | 68 |
| Other | 93 |
| Less than 5 minutes | 306 |
| 5-9 minutes | 1,134 |
| 10-14 minutes | 1,708 |
| 15-19 minutes | 621 |
| 20-24 minutes | 457 |
| 25-29 minutes | 412 |
| 30-34 minutes | 1,145 |
| 35-39 minutes | 120 |
| 40-44 minutes | 400 |
| 45-59 minutes | 372 |
| 60-89 minutes | 59 |
| 90+ minutes | 238 |
| Average Travel Time | 24 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Employees | 13,660 |
| Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt | 8 |
| Mining | 0 |
| Utilities | 222 |
| Construction | 317 |
| Manufacturing | 1,693 |
| Wholesale Trade | 146 |
| Retail Trade | 1,709 |
| Motor Veh/Parts Dealers | 292 |
| Furn & Home Furnish Str | 147 |
| Electronics & Appl Store | 19 |
| Bldg Matl/Garden Equip | 208 |
| Food & Beverage Stores | 269 |
| Health/Pers Care Stores | 91 |
| Gasoline Stations | 66 |
| Clothing/Accessory Store | 54 |
| Sports/Hobby/Book/Music | 153 |
| General Merchandise Str | 410 |
| Transportation/Warehouse | 162 |
| Information | 538 |
| Finance & Insurance | 392 |
| Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn | 231 |
| Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv | 67 |
| Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other | 94 |
| Real Estate/Rent/Leasing | 438 |
| Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv | 473 |
| Legal Services | 62 |
| Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises | 4 |
| Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt | 118 |
| Educational Services | 670 |
| HealthCare/Social Assist | 3,130 |
| Arts/Entertainment/Rec | 188 |
| Accommodation/Food Srvcs | 1,268 |
| Accommodation | 62 |
| Food Srv/Drinking Places | 1,206 |
| Other Srv excl Pub Admin | 665 |
| Auto Repair/Maintenance | 136 |
| Public Administration Emp | 1,510 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
| City of Lenoir | 2025 |
|---|---|
| <9th Grade | 694 |
| Some High School | 1,179 |
| GED | 1,101 |
| Graduated High School | 3,176 |
| Some College/No Degree | 2,889 |
| Associates Degree | 1,327 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 2,162 |
| Graduate Degree | 755 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
Back To Top| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Businesses | 1,158 |
| Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus | 3 |
| Mining Bus | 0 |
| Utilities Bus | 5 |
| Construction Bus | 47 |
| Manufacturing Bus | 50 |
| Wholesale Trade Bus | 20 |
| Retail Trade Bus | 181 |
| Motor Veh/Parts Dealers Bus | 31 |
| Furn & Home Furnish Str Bus | 16 |
| Electronics & Appl Store Bus | 5 |
| Bldg Matl/Garden Equip Bus | 14 |
| Food & Beverage Stores Bus | 24 |
| Health/Pers Care Stores Bus | 17 |
| Gasoline Stations Bus | 11 |
| Clothing/Accessory Store Bus | 14 |
| Sports/Hobby/Book/Music Bus | 35 |
| General Merchandise Str Bus | 14 |
| Transportation/Warehouse Bus | 23 |
| Information Bus | 23 |
| Finance & Insurance Bus | 74 |
| Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn Bus | 33 |
| Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv Bus | 16 |
| Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other Bus | 25 |
| Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus | 73 |
| Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus | 57 |
| Legal Services Bus | 14 |
| Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus | 1 |
| Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus | 25 |
| Educational Services Bus | 20 |
| HealthCare/Social Assist Bus | 145 |
| Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus | 20 |
| Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus | 92 |
| Accommodation Bus | 8 |
| Food Srv/Drinking Places Bus | 84 |
| Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus | 176 |
| Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus | 34 |
| Public Administration Bus | 75 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-08-18
Back To Top
Caldwell County ranked 20th out of North Carolina’s 100 counties for wage growth in 2023. Since 2015, wages have grown an impressive 51.5%.
Move right into one of our existing manufacturing buildings. The infrastructure is in place and a trained workforce is ready.
Record numbers of new businesses and industries have registered in Caldwell: 250-500 each year since 2018. The CCC&TI Business Center is ready to assist.
Life in Caldwell County can be full of adventure. Spend the day exploring parks, mountains, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and biking.
NC has increased production of renewables by nearly 52%, double the average of all 50 states
Caldwell County is building on its historic manufacturing legacy while embracing the industries of tomorrow. With affordability, a strategic location, and a skilled workforce, the county is a prime destination for business growth and investment.
Whether we’re celebrating art, butterflies, blackberries, BBQ or wine, the calendar is full of Southern charm.
Explore the Caldwell County Itinerary for food, shopping, highlights, lodging and adventures! We invite locals and visitors to delight in the journey and the destination.
Powered by an economy that has hit its stride and turbocharged by a track record of innovation, Caldwell County is the best of NC.
Explore scenic vistas, historical sites, art, breweries, wineries, eateries and more along this world famous route.
CCED works closely with CCC&TI and local manufacturers to meet the workforce needs of employers.
Caldwell County has the most extensive collection of permanent public outdoor sculptures per capita in the U.S. Our annual Sculpture Celebration is the largest in the South.
The Blue Ridge foothills, Pisgah National Forest and Wilson Creek are our playgrounds for biking, off-roading, watersports, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping.