Kinston ZIP Codes — Lenoir County, NC

There are 4 unique ZIP codes in Kinston, North Carolina. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

220.98

sq mi land

1.44

sq mi water

252

area code

Kinston, NC ZIP code map

About Kinston, NC

Kinston, North Carolina, is a charming city located in Lenoir County. With a rich history and a vibrant community, Kinston offers a unique blend of Southern culture and hospitality. The city features a variety of local attractions, making it a welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Kinston is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina, approximately 35 miles south of Greenville and 80 miles northwest of Wilmington. The city has a total land area of 220.98 square miles, with an additional 1.44 square miles covered by water. This diverse geography includes both urban areas and lush landscapes, providing residents with opportunities for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Kinston is defined by its strong sense of community and Southern charm, where friendly neighborhoods and local businesses thrive. This city is known for its agricultural roots, with industries such as tobacco, textiles, and food processing playing significant roles in its economy. Daily life in Kinston reflects a blend of tradition and modernity, with community events and local gatherings that celebrate the city's heritage.

Transportation

Kinston is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 258 and U.S. Route 70, which connect the city to nearby regions. The nearest major airport is the Kinston Regional Jetport, providing air travel options for residents and visitors. Public transit options are available, making it easier for people to navigate the city and surrounding areas.

History

Kinston was officially founded in the 18th century and has a rich history influenced by its agricultural and industrial development. Notable events in Kinston's past include its role during the Civil War, as well as the growth of the textile and tobacco industries in the 20th century. The city's historical landmarks reflect its vibrant past and contribute to its unique cultural identity.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Kinston is that it is home to the renowned chef Vivian Howard, who gained national recognition through her cooking show 'A Chef's Life.' Additionally, Kinston hosts the annual North Carolina Peach Festival, celebrating the region's agricultural heritage.

ZIP codes for Kinston, NC (4)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28501	Kinston	Lenoir	View map
28502	Kinston	Lenoir	View map
28503	Kinston	Lenoir	View map
28504	Kinston	Lenoir	View map

Demographics & statistics

38,956

Population

42.5

Median age

$40,673

Median household income

$27,059

Per capita income

$97,600

Median home value

$796

Median monthly rent

55.2%

Home ownership

24.6%

Poverty rate

8.2%

Unemployment

12,048

Housing units

14.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

895

Under 5

1,025

1,125

5–9

1,289

1,203

10–14

1,378

1,155

15–19

1,323

1,109

20–24

1,270

1,955

25–34

2,241

2,027

35–44

2,324

2,210

45–54

2,532

1,224

55–59

1,402

1,325

60–64

1,519

2,220

65–74

2,544

1,030

75–84

1,180

676

85+

775

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	8,589	22.2%
18 and over	30,367	77.8%
65 and over	8,425	21.6%
Median age	42.5 years

Race & ethnicity

Black or African American 45.9%

White 42.3%

Two or more races 4.1%

Hispanic or Latino 3.9%

Other race 3.1%

Asian 0.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
Black or African American	18,618	45.9%
White	17,137	42.3%
Two or more races	1,650	4.1%
Hispanic or Latino	1,584	3.9%
Other race	1,241	3.1%
Asian	205	0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	67	0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	38	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 7.4%

$10k–$15k 10.5%

$15k–$25k 12.1%

$25k–$35k 12.9%

$35k–$50k 16.2%

$50k–$75k 16.2%

$75k–$100k 11.3%

$100k–$150k 8.4%

$150k–$200k 2.8%

$200k+ 2.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.4%
$10k–$15k	10.5%
$15k–$25k	12.1%
$25k–$35k	12.9%
$35k–$50k	16.2%
$50k–$75k	16.2%
$75k–$100k	11.3%
$100k–$150k	8.4%
$150k–$200k	2.8%
$200k+	2.4%
Median income	$40,673

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 21.8%

$50k–$100k 30.1%

$100k–$150k 21.2%

$150k–$200k 13.5%

$200k–$300k 8.1%

$300k–$500k 4.6%

$500k–$1M 0.8%

$1M+ 0.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$97,600
Median rent / month	$796
Owner occupied	55.2%
Renter occupied	44.8%
Vacant	15.4%
Single-family detached	61.9%
Large apartment buildings	3.9%
Mobile homes	17.0%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.35

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	2.9%
2000–2009	7.1%
1990–1999	15.2%
1980–1989	13.4%
1970–1979	20.7%
1960–1969	14.4%
1950–1959	14.0%
1940–1949	5.5%
1939 or earlier	6.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.6%
1 bedroom	6.6%
2 bedrooms	26.2%
3 bedrooms	50.2%
4 bedrooms	11.9%
5+ bedrooms	2.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.2%
1 vehicle	39.2%
2 vehicles	28.7%
3 or more	21.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	22.0%
Electricity	66.8%
Propane / LP gas	9.2%
Fuel oil	1.1%
Wood	0.2%
No fuel used	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,174	31.5%
Cohabiting couple	1,326	8.2%
Male householder, no spouse	3,623	22.3%
Female householder, no spouse	6,139	38.1%
Households with children under 18	4,580	28.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	6,204	38.1%
Average household size	2.34

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	43.5%	36.4%
Married	38.1%	33.0%
Separated	2.1%	4.2%
Widowed	4.7%	13.4%
Divorced	11.7%	13.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.8%

Some HS, no diploma 13.8%

HS graduate 33.3%

Some college, no degree 21.5%

Associate's degree 12.3%

Bachelor's degree 9.6%

Graduate / professional 4.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	81.4%
Bachelor's or higher	14.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	379	4.4%
Kindergarten	664	7.5%
Elementary school	3,832	44.1%
High school	2,376	27.3%
College / grad school	1,432	16.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 29.8%

Manufacturing 20.0%

Retail trade 8.2%

Construction 7.5%

Public administration 5.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.8%

Professional & management 5.0%

Transportation & utilities 4.5%

Other services 4.5%

Agriculture & mining 3.2%

Wholesale trade 3.1%

Finance & real estate 2.8%

Information 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.2%
Service	22.5%
Sales & office	14.9%
Natural resources & construction	10.0%
Production & transportation	24.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.6%
Government	18.6%
Self-employed	5.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	82.8%
Carpool	12.9%
Public transit	0.6%
Walk	1.1%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.7

Poverty

All people 24.6%

Under 18 years 36.5%

18 and over 21.1%

Married-couple families 5.3%

Female-led households 41.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.3%
Retirement income	29.3%
Supplemental Security	9.8%
Cash public assistance	3.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	26.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	44.4%
High cholesterol	36.0%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	5.4%
Asthma	11.2%
Arthritis	32.8%
Kidney disease	4.4%
Pulmonary disease	9.8%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.6%
No physical activity	31.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.9%
Fair or poor health	22.4%
Poor mental health	15.6%
Poor physical health	14.6%
No health insurance	22.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.4%
Visited dentist	53.0%
Cholesterol screening	90.0%
Teeth loss	22.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,985	9.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	24.3%
Under 18	13.8%
18–64 years	19.4%
65 and over	47.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	55.3%
Public insurance	54.8%
Uninsured under 19	3.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	37,036	95.1%
Spanish	759	2.1%
Other Indo-European	638	1.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	22	0.1%
Other languages	99	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	37,471	96.2%
Born in same state	37,213	95.5%
Born in different state	29,876	76.8%
Foreign born	258	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	1,485	3.8%
Not a US citizen	696	44.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,256	8.4%
Arab	2,288	5.9%
Italian	1,880	4.8%
German	92	0.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	86	0.2%
English	49	0.1%
Polish	38	0.1%
Dutch	12	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.8%
Internet access	88.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Kinston, NC have?

Kinston, NC has two ZIP codes: 28501 and 28504. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.