Kinston, AL

Alabama

Kinston is a small town in Alabama with a population of 760. Residents earn $36,875 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
760 Population 155/sq mi density
$36,875 Median Income $18,399 per capita
$71,700 Home Value $160,925 Zillow
$684 Median Rent 34.8% income on rent
69°F Avg Temperature
748 Violent Crime/100K 5,047 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$36,875 median income, 9.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$71,700 home value, $684/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
748 violent crimes/100K (97% above avg)
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,875
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $71,700
75% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 748/100K
97% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.4%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $684
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.4%
161% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.9%
36% higher than US avg

How Kinston Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population760
Median Age50.5 yrs
Density155/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans5.0%

Economy

C
Median Income$36,875
Per Capita$18,399
Unemployment9.4%
Poverty16.9%
County GDP$1,662M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$71,700
Rent$684
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$160,925
Rent Burden34.8%

Crime

F
Violent748/100K
Property5,047/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault561/100K
Burglary1,122/100K

Health

Obesity39.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.2%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp69°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain59.1 in/yr
Elevation275 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.4%
High School+83.0%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 86% / D 14%
Commute20 min
Broadband81.9%
Libraries3

Is Kinston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kinston receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Kinston has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kinston is $36,875, 51% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.4%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 16.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kinston is $71,700, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $684 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 748 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,047 per 100,000, 157% above the national average.

Education

8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Kinston enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Kinston has a population of 760 with a density of 155 people per square mile. The median age is 50.5 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.7%), with 3.8% Hispanic.

Population

760
Total Population
155
People / sq mi
50.5yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.1%
Female 45.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Kinston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.0%
24% above US avg
Spanish3.0%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Kinston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kinston is $36,875, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Kinston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,875
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,399
Avg Weekly Wage$919
IRS Avg AGI$60,353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.4%
161% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.9%
36% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,134
County GDP$1,662M

Business (County)

Restaurants67
Healthcare98
Retail179
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,838
47% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.56%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Drive Alone79.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Kinston is $71,700, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $684 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $160,925.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$71,700
75% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$160,925

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$684
41% below US avg
Rent Burden34.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$716
1 Bedroom$772
2 Bedrooms$936
3 Bedrooms$1,206
4 Bedrooms$1,381

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,838
47% below US avg
Effective Rate2.56%
In Kinston, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.2% report depression. 29.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Kinston vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure38.4%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.9%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.6%
Physical Inactivity29.6%
Depression28.2%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate58.5%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death14,664/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access57.9%
Healthcare Facilities98
Kinston has a violent crime rate of 748 per 100,000 residents, 97% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,047 per 100,000 (157% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Kinston vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent747.7/100K
97% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape186.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault560.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,046.7/100K
157% above US avg
Burglary1,121.5/100K
Theft3,738.3/100K
Vehicle Theft186.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Kinston has an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 59.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average68.8°F
27% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall59.1 inches
56% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation275 ft (84 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density155/sq mi
Coordinates31.2196°N, 86.1701°W
County FIPS01039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 72.4-point margin. 81.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 86%
D 13.6%

Winner: Republican by 72.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.4%
75% below US avg
High School+83.0%
School Test Score4.40
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density155/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.9%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities98
Restaurants67
Retail Stores179

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Drive Alone79.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

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