RANK #274 / 996 · POP 59,317 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%
Sampson County, North Carolina, stands out as the "Barn Quilt Capital of North Carolina," featuring over 140 barn quilts along its scenic trail. Located in the Coastal Plain region, it is the second-largest county in North Carolina by land area. Clinton, the county seat, is the largest and oldest town. The county is about an hour's drive from Raleigh and Wilmington, with Interstate 40 running through it, offering access to major cities and coastal beaches. The community maintains a rural feel with expansive farmland and gently rolling hills. Outdoor recreation includes parks like Western District Park and Weeks Park, offering sports fields, walking tracks, and playgrounds. The new Pondberry Bay Trail also provides natural surface hiking opportunities.
Life in Sampson County offers a lower cost of living compared to the national average. The Sampson County Schools district serves over 8,000 students across 18 schools and is the second-largest employer in the county. Sampson Community College provides various educational programs, including a transportation program in partnership with the school district to help high school students access college courses. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture, is diversifying, with recent strategic plans focusing on expanding business development and attracting new industries. There is a focus on attracting investment in manufacturing and processing, including value-added agricultural processing. Public transportation services are available for local and some out-of-county trips.
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Strata Manager, Sol Systems, North Carolina El Member Corp)
|
$60M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Sampson County has a Boom Town Index score of 73/100, ranking #274 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $49,963, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Sampson County is $116,600 with median rent at $752/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4285, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed +2.2% in the past 12 months.