Seventy-First
RANK #370 / 996 NAT · #20 / 51 NC · POP 335,207
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 63/100, Cumberland County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $55,551 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NC.
Housing in Cumberland County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $166,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,098/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Cumberland County are both close to flat — population +0.5% YoY and jobs +0.4%. Home values shifted +0.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.97% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cumberland County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.