City · North Carolina
Lumberton, North Carolina
Lumberton, city, in Robeson County, North Carolina. Lumberton had 18,955 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 19,025 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 18,859 (±42). GEOID 3739700.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,955
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,025 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,859 ±42
Median household income
$42,877
±$5,546 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$152,600
±$11,889 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$866
±$58 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Lumberton and what county is it in?
Lumberton is a city in Robeson County, North Carolina. It covers 18.2 square miles of land, 1,045 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lumberton is in the Lumberton, NC micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Lumberton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 18,955 people lived in Lumberton on July 1, 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. The 2020 Census counted 19,025 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 18,859 (±42).
| Measure | Lumberton | Robeson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,859 ±42 | 116,902 | −2,069 |
| Households | 6,901 ±263 | 43,134 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.53 ±0.10 | 2.63 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 8,322 ±268 | 49,111 | −536 |
Lumberton's population since 2000
From 20,795 in 2000 to 18,955 in 2025: down 8.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lumberton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lumberton?
The median resident of Lumberton is 34.6 years old; 28.7% are under 18 and 16.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 40.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 30.2%. 8.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lumberton | Robeson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.6 ±1.9 | 36.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 28.7% ±1.9 pts | 25.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.2% ±1.5 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Male | 46.2% ±1.8 pts | 48.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.6% ±2.4 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 30.2% ±2.3 pts | 23.3% | −8.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 40.0% ±2.9 pts | 23.2% | +4.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.8 pts | 0.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 12.4% ±2.1 pts | 38.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±1.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.8% ±1.9 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.7% ±2.1 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.5% ±1.3 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.0% ±1.7 pts | 18.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.8% ±2.1 pts | 14.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.9% ±2.1 pts | 80.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.2% ±2.0 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.8% ±1.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.5% ±2.1 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4% ±0.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lumberton earn?
Half of Lumberton's 6,901 households earn less than $42,877 a year (±$5,546), against $41,978 in Robeson County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $45,456 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 30.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lumberton | Robeson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $42,877 ±$5,546 | $41,978 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $63,621 ±$5,459 | $62,210 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,340 ±$1,876 | $23,672 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 30.8% ±3.6 pts | 27.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.1% ±6.5 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 40.2% ±3.0 pts | 32.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.7% ±2.1 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.8% ±2.7 pts | 77.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lumberton?
Owners occupy 43.9% of Lumberton's occupied homes and renters 56.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,600 by its owner (±$11,889). The median renter pays $866 a month including utilities, and 42.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lumberton | Robeson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $152,600 ±$11,889 | $94,500 | +$17,470 |
| Median gross rent | $866 ±$58 | $805 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.3% ±5.1 pts | 39.2% | +6.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,372 ±$84 | $1,175 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 43.9% ±3.3 pts | 65.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 56.1% ±3.3 pts | 34.2% | – |
| Housing units | 8,322 ±268 | 49,111 | −536 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6% ±1.4 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.8% ±2.8 pts | 50.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.3% ±1.4 pts | 37.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2% ±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.9% ±1.8 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.3% ±1.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.9% ±2.4 pts | 7.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Lumberton building?
Builders took permits for 132 new housing units in Lumberton in 2025 (26 in single-family houses), 7.0 per 1,000 residents against 7.7 across North Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lumberton work and get to work?
84.2% of Lumberton's workers drive alone and 4.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | Lumberton | Robeson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.5% ±2.4 pts | 50.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% ±1.9 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 84.2% ±2.6 pts | 85.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7% ±2.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.1% ±1.4 pts | 4.2% | +2.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.5 min ±1.5 | 25.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Lumberton?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Lumberton, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $25,688 (Tract 9608.01) to $51,853 (Tract 9610).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9613.02Robeson County | 4,725 | $47,956 |
| Tract 9612Robeson County | 3,076 | $29,850 |
| Tract 9608.01Robeson County | 3,178 | $25,688 |
| Tract 9609Robeson County | 2,014 | $51,625 |
| Tract 9610Robeson County | 1,801 | $51,853 |
| Tract 9607.01Robeson County | 4,970 | $48,750 |
| Tract 9611Robeson County | 1,861 | $29,592 |
| Tract 9613.01Robeson County | 4,155 | $66,139 |
| Tract 9608.02Robeson County | 1,194 | $39,286 |
| Tract 9607.02Robeson County | 2,728 | $45,337 |
| Tract 9618.02Robeson County | 5,193 | $43,431 |
| Tract 9606.02Robeson County | 1,332 | $50,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Lumberton) · Census block assignment files
How does Lumberton compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lumberton is the 2,029th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 58th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Lumberton ranks 368th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 58th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 306th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 176th | 443 |
| Median household income | 368th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 385th | 443 |
| Median home value | 374th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 271st | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 37th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 312th | 421 |
| Median age | 383rd | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 419th | 443 |
| Work from home | 273rd | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 369th | 439 |
Lumberton's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Lumberton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Lumberton?
4 of the 57 figures for Lumberton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lumberton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Lumberton.