County · North Carolina
Harnett County, North Carolina
Harnett County, North Carolina. Harnett County had 150,137 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 12.4% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 14 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 28 census tracts. GEOID 37085.
Harnett County is the county of the Anderson Creek, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
150,137
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 133,568 · ACS 2020-2024: 139,150
Median household income
$71,287
±$2,853 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$246,200
±$8,140 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,112
±$46 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Harnett County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 133,568 residents in Harnett County. The Census Bureau estimates 150,137 for July 1, 2025, up 12.4% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 139,150 over 595 square miles of land.
| Measure | Harnett County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 139,150 | 10,730,404 | +6,867 |
| Households | 49,845±512 | 4,282,345 | +4,429 |
| Average household size | 2.73±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 54,902±68 | 4,895,668 | +3,074 |
Harnett County's population since 2000
From 91,025 in 2000 to 150,137 in 2025: up 64.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Harnett County?
Harnett County holds 14 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Anderson Creek with 13,927 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Anderson Creek | 13,636 | $87,287 |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Springs | 11,040 | $92,402 |
| Dunn | 8,446 | $46,830 |
| Barbecue | – | $79,426 |
| Lillington | 4,735 | $81,760 |
| Angier | 5,265 | $52,214 |
| Erwin | 4,542 | $50,701 |
| Buies Creek | 3,253 | $53,933 |
| Coats | 2,155 | $37,009 |
| MamersGEOID 3740860 | 814 | $33,561 |
| BunnlevelGEOID 3708880 | 516 | $74,818 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 34,152 | $115,497 |
| Benson | 3,967 | $67,102 |
| Broadway | 1,267 | $64,926 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Harnett County?
The median resident of Harnett County is 35.6 years old; 25.4% are under 18 and 13.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 58.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 19.8%. 6.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Harnett County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.6±0.2 | 39.1 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 25.4%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.7%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 15.1% | 11.3% | +2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 58.2%±0.2 pts | 60.0% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.8%±0.6 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6%±0.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.5%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.3%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.8%±0.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 16.0%±0.8 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.7%±0.8 pts | 9.9% | −1.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.6%±0.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.5%±1.1 pts | 35.7% | +2.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.4%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.1%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Harnett County earn?
Half of Harnett County's 49,845 households earn less than $71,287 a year (±$2,853), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $65,909 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,378 after inflation. 13.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Harnett County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,287±$2,853 | $72,388 | +$5,378 |
| Mean household income | $89,999±$2,570 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,463±$967 | $41,385 | +$4,213 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.7%±1.4 pts | 13.0% | −2.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.8%±2.9 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.2%±1.5 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.2%±1.4 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Harnett County?
Owners occupy 71.0% of Harnett County's occupied homes and renters 29.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $246,200 by its owner (±$8,140). The median renter pays $1,112 a month including utilities, and 36.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Harnett County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $246,200±$8,140 | $288,900 | +$56,673 |
| Median gross rent | $1,112±$46 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.3%±4.1 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,594±$34 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.0%±1.6 pts | 66.6% | +5.6 pts |
| Housing units | 54,902±68 | 4,895,668 | +3,074 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.2%±2.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.1%±1.8 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.0%±1.5 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.7%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.7%±0.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 Harnett County building?
Builders took permits for 2,205 new housing units across Harnett County in 2025 (2,195 single-family), 14.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Harnett County get to work?
78.9% of Harnett County's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Harnett County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.8%±0.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | −2.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.9%±1.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.9%±1.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8%±0.9 pts | 16.3% | +5.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.8 min±0.8 | 25.1 min | +2.4 min |
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 are Harnett County's census tracts?
Harnett County is divided into 28 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,625 (Tract 702) to $111,023 (Tract 710.03).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Harnett County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 23rd of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 8th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th of 100 |
| Median household income | 22nd of 100 |
| Median home value | 36th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 55th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 47th of 100 |
| Median age | 94th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Harnett County 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' school search.