County · North Carolina
Robeson County, North Carolina
Robeson County, North Carolina. Robeson County had 119,941 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.9% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 22 places (15 cities, villages and boroughs and 7 census-designated) and 35 census tracts. GEOID 37155.
Robeson County is the county of the Lumberton, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
119,941
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 116,530 · ACS 2020-2024: 116,902
Median household income
$41,978
±$1,323 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$94,500
±$2,445 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$805
±$22 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Robeson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 116,530 residents in Robeson County. The Census Bureau estimates 119,941 for July 1, 2025, up 2.9% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 116,902 over 947 square miles of land.
| Measure | Robeson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 116,902 | 10,730,404 | −15,694 |
| Households | 43,134±344 | 4,282,345 | −2,793 |
| Average household size | 2.63±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.18 |
| Housing units | 49,111±71 | 4,895,668 | −4,099 |
Robeson County's population since 2000
From 123,339 in 2000 to 119,941 in 2025: down 2.8%. 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 Robeson County?
Robeson County holds 22 places: 15 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Lumberton with 18,955 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lumberton | 19,025 | $42,877 |
|---|---|---|
| Red Springs | 3,087 | $20,833 |
| Pembroke | 2,823 | $25,889 |
| Fairmont | 2,191 | $36,641 |
| St. Pauls | 2,045 | $36,800 |
| Maxton | 2,110 | $22,667 |
| Barker Ten MileGEOID 3703665 | 937 | $66,667 |
| Rowland | 885 | $32,500 |
| ProspectGEOID 3753950 | 873 | $110,769 |
| Parkton | 504 | $56,250 |
| ElrodGEOID 3721120 | 391 | $30,625 |
| Rennert | 275 | $26,875 |
| ShannonGEOID 3760940 | 217 | not published |
| RaemonGEOID 3754600 | 197 | $76,563 |
| ProctorvilleGEOID 3753900 | 121 | $75,625 |
| WakullaGEOID 3770580 | 112 | not published |
| MariettaGEOID 3741380 | 111 | $62,500 |
| McDonaldGEOID 3740140 | 94 | $51,875 |
| Lumber BridgeGEOID 3739680 | 82 | $65,417 |
| RaynhamGEOID 3755340 | 60 | not published |
| OrrumGEOID 3749460 | 59 | $21,250 |
| RexGEOID 3756100 | 50 | not published |
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 Robeson County?
The median resident of Robeson County is 36.4 years old; 25.8% are under 18 and 16.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 38.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 23.3%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Robeson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.4±0.2 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.8% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.0%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.9% | 11.3% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 23.3%±0.1 pts | 60.0% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 23.2%±0.2 pts | 20.0% | −0.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 38.4%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | +1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.3%±0.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.4%±0.6 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.2%±0.6 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.0%±1.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.7%±0.8 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.1%±0.5 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.3 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 Robeson County earn?
Half of Robeson County's 43,134 households earn less than $41,978 a year (±$1,323), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $43,045 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 27.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Robeson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,978±$1,323 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,210±$2,879 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,672±$777 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 27.2%±1.2 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 36.6%±2.4 pts | 17.7% | −3.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 32.6%±1.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.6%±1.2 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 Robeson County?
Owners occupy 65.8% of Robeson County's occupied homes and renters 34.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $94,500 by its owner (±$2,445). The median renter pays $805 a month including utilities, and 39.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Robeson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $94,500±$2,445 | $288,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $805±$22 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.2%±2.5 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,175±$28 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.8%±1.3 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 49,111±71 | 4,895,668 | −4,099 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6%±0.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 50.9%±1.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 37.5%±1.2 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4%±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 Robeson County building?
Builders took permits for 399 new housing units across Robeson County in 2025 (291 single-family), 3.3 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 Robeson County get to work?
85.3% of Robeson County's workers drive alone and 4.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.0%.
| Measure | Robeson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.9%±1.0 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 85.3%±1.1 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4%±0.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.2%±0.7 pts | 16.3% | +2.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min±0.7 | 25.1 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 are Robeson County's census tracts?
Robeson County is divided into 35 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $23,514 (Tract 9620.01) to $66,139 (Tract 9613.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Robeson County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 26th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 61st of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 47th of 100 |
| Median household income | 98th of 100 |
| Median home value | 100th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 73rd of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 1st of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 94th of 100 |
| Median age | 91st 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 Robeson 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.