RANK #516 / 996 · POP 335,207 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
Cumberland County, North Carolina, is anchored by Fayetteville, a city recognized as an "All-American City" multiple times and notable for its proximity to Fort Liberty, one of the world's largest military installations. Located in the Sandhills region of southeastern North Carolina, the county is about an hour and a half from both North Carolina and South Carolina beaches. The Cape Fear River Trail offers a paved path for walking, running, and cycling, while Carvers Creek State Park provides miles of trails through longleaf pine ecosystems and fishing opportunities. Life in Cumberland County is shaped by its connection to the military, with many active-duty personnel and veterans residing in the area. The public school system, Cumberland County Schools, serves a diverse student population. The local economy is experiencing growth, with recent investments in manufacturing and technology sectors. The presence of educational institutions like Fayetteville State University, Methodist University, and Fayetteville Technical Community College also contributes to a skilled workforce.
Below national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Fayetteville Data Center Project (Dunn Road)
Energy Storage Solutions (ESS)
|
$6,400M | Proposed |
|
American Titanium Metal LLC Factory (Project Aero)
American Titanium Metal LLC
|
$868M | Planned |
|
Solar Components Manufacturing Facility (Project Smartie)
Undisclosed International Solar Components Manufacturer
|
$159M | Proposed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (Cypress Creek Renewables, Fayetteville PWC, North Carolina El Member Corp)
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Erwin-Fayetteville East 230-kV Transmission Line Upgrade
Duke Energy
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Cargill Production Capacity Expansion
Cargill
|
$25M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cumberland County has a Boom Town Index score of 48/100, ranking #516 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.4% and a median household income of $55,551, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Cumberland County is $166,600 with median rent at $1,098/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3334, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.4%. Home values changed +0.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.97% of Cumberland County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.