North Clinton
RANK #541 / 996 NAT · #29 / 51 NC · POP 59,317
1YR FORECAST: +0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
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.
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 →
| 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 scores 45/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#541). Median household income is $49,963 and job growth is running at -0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Sampson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $116,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.43 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $752/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Sampson County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs -0.3%. Home values shifted +2.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.82% of Sampson County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.