RANK #3 / 1001 NAT · #2 / 51 NC · POP 116,902
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +44%
Robeson County, North Carolina, is distinguished by the Lumber River, the state's only blackwater river with a federal designation as a National Wild and Scenic River. This natural feature, along with extensive swamps and forests, offers opportunities for hiking, paddling, and fishing. Located in the Coastal Plain region, Robeson County is bisected by Interstate 95 and Interstate 74, making it a halfway point for travelers and connecting it to both the North Carolina beaches and mountains. Lumberton, the county seat, was established in 1788 and is named after the Lumber River. The county is also notable for being home to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River, with their headquarters in Pembroke.
Life in Robeson County is characterized by a relaxed pace and a diverse community. The Public Schools of Robeson County district serves a large student population across numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, offering a curriculum that includes advanced placement and vocational training. For higher education, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Robeson Community College are located within the county. While some residents commute to nearby cities like Fayetteville, the local economy is seeing development in manufacturing and logistics. Efforts are also underway to support agribusiness, a major economic driver in the region, and to address housing needs and promote homeownership within the Lumbee Tribe.
Robeson County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -0.3% runs below the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.3x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Manufacturing & Logistics Projects (Combined)
Multiple (Zurn/Elkay Manufacturing, Champion Home Builders, Biophil Natural Fibers, Asbury Carbons, Atlantic Building Components and Services, Repac Foam)
|
$600M | Under Construction |
|
Piedmont Natural Gas LNG Facility
Piedmont Natural Gas
|
$250M | Operating |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Multiple (MN8 Energy LLC, Cypress Creek Renewables, Strata Solar, CD Global Solar Holdings, LLC)
|
$57M | Operating |
|
Robeson Health Care Corporation Expansion
Robeson Health Care Corporation
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Robeson Solar I (Battery Storage)
Undisclosed
|
$28M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Robeson County ranks #3 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 100/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 3.4% year-over-year). Median household income here is $41,978.
By national standards, Robeson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $94,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.44 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $805/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Robeson County's job market is contracting (-3.4% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.0% change). Home values are -0.3% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
Not particularly — 1.72% of Robeson County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.