RANK #512 / 1001 NAT · #31 / 51 NC · POP 338,545
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Cumberland County is one of 35 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.6% runs below the profile's typical +1.4%.
See all 35 Secondary Market Surge counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 9.6x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Cumberland County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#512). Median household income is $61,291 and job growth is running at -0.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Cumberland County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $199,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,222/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Cumberland County's population is growing — up +0.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.6%). Home values shifted +0.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.83% 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.