RANK #211 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 51 NC · POP 139,150
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
Lillington, the county seat of Harnett County, North Carolina, offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and natural beauty, situated along the Cape Fear River. The county is located between Raleigh and Fayetteville, making it a commuter-friendly option for those working in nearby cities. Residents often mention the close-knit community feel and local events that foster a sense of belonging. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Raven Rock State Park, known for its 150-foot crystalline rock formation overlooking the Cape Fear River, offering extensive trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The county also provides access to the Cape Fear River for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
Life in Harnett County appeals to families and individuals seeking a quieter pace with access to urban amenities. The public school system, Harnett County Schools, serves over 20,000 students across 28 schools. Commute options include the Harnett Area Rural Transit System (HARTS), which provides public transportation for medical, personal, employment, and educational trips within and to surrounding counties. Economically, the county is experiencing growth, with recent investments in industrial and logistics sectors. There is also a focus on developing market-ready sites to attract new businesses and create jobs.
Harnett County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.0% YoY, population +1.9%, wages +5.5%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 23.3x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Fayetteville Data Center Campus
Energy Storage Solutions
|
$19,200M | Planned |
|
MidPort 95 Industrial Development
Private Developer
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Harnett 95 Industrial Center - Class A Industrial Building 1
Samet Corporation (in partnership with Harnett County)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Community Solar & Battery Storage Portfolio (multiple projects)
Various (e.g., Altus Power America Management, North Carolina El Member Corp, Strata Solar)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
US 401 Corridor Study Improvements
NCDOT, CAMPO
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 79/100, Harnett County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +5.5%, and median household income stands at $71,287 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NC.
Housing in Harnett County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $246,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,112/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Harnett County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +5.5% clip. Home values shifted +1.0% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 5.89% of Harnett County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.