Kenly, North Carolina

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Kenly is a town in Johnston and Wilson counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It was named for John R. Kenly, Northern Division Superintendent of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, who later became president of the railroad in 1913. The population was 1,339 at the 2010 census,<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> down from 1,569 in 2000.

History

The community was settled in about 1875,Template:Sfn developing along the "Short-Cut" rail line of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad.Template:Sfn It was incorporated in 1887 as Kenly,Template:Sfn being named for railroad official J. R. Kenly.Template:Sfn In 1897, the community's first school, Kenly Academy, a private boarding institution, was established. Kenly High School, a public institution, was opened in 1914. That year the town received its first electric service.Template:Sfn

In July 2022, all five members of Kenly's police force resigned, citing a "hostile work environment", allegedly created by the newly appointed town manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

Kenly is located in eastern Johnston County.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> A small portion of the town extends into the southwest corner of Wilson County. U.S. Route 301 (Church Street) is the main road through the center of town. North Carolina Highway 222 (Second Street) crosses US 301 in the center of Kenly. Interstate 95 runs along the northwest edge of Kenly, with access from Exit 107 (US 301).

According to the United States Census Bureau, Kenly has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert, or 0.16%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

Demographics

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2020 census

Kenly racial composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	704	47.22%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	503	33.74%
Native American	2	0.13%
Asian	9	0.6%
Other/Mixed	69	4.63%
Hispanic or Latino	204	13.68%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,491 people, 744 households, and 416 families residing in the town.

2000 census

File:Kenly Town Hall.JPG

Kenly Town Hall

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,569 people, 671 households, and 414 families residing in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 754 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the town was 55.32% White, 40.60% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 2.29% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.57% of the population.

There were 671 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,865, and the median income for a family was $33,214. Males had a median income of $24,250 versus $17,917 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,181. About 23.3% of families and 25.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.