RANK #176 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 51 NC · POP 59,470
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
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.
Sampson 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 +3.8% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.1x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
Sampson County ranks #176 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 82/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.7% and a median household income of $52,432 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Sampson County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $150,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $834/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Sampson County are hiring — job growth of +1.7% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% YoY). Home values moved +3.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 1.58% 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.