County · North Carolina

Sampson County, North Carolina

Sampson County, North Carolina. Sampson County had 61,504 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 18 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 census-designated) and 20 census tracts. GEOID 37163.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

61,504

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 59,036 · ACS 2020-2024: 59,470

Median household income

$52,432

±$4,188 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388

Median home value

$150,700

±$8,685 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900

Median gross rent

$834

±$30 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228

How many people live in Sampson County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 59,036 residents in Sampson County. The Census Bureau estimates 61,504 for July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 59,470 over 946 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −26 (59,052)
2021→2022 +142 (59,194)
2022→2023 +790 (59,984)
2023→2024 +1,093 (61,077)
2024→2025 +427 (61,504)

Sampson County in North Carolina. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Sampson County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	59,470	10,730,404	−3,915
Households	21,607±439	4,282,345	−1,809
Average household size	2.68±0.05	2.44	no clear change
Housing units	25,852±41	4,895,668	−1,874

Sampson County's population since 2000

From 60,161 in 2000 to 61,504 in 2025: up 2.2%. 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.

2000 Census 60,161
2005 (estimate) 61,720
2010 Census 63,431
2015 (estimate) 63,562
2020 Census 59,036
2025 (estimate) 61,504

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 Sampson County?

Sampson County holds 18 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Clinton with 8,466 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Sampson County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Clinton	city	8,383	8,304±29	$44,953	$212,000	23.6%	100%
Plain View	CDP	1,923	1,741±459	$53,636	$200,900	10.5%	100%
Roseboro	town	1,163	1,123±248	$39,333	$130,300	39.2%	100%
GarlandGEOID 3725460	town	595	704±305	$57,829	$123,900	9.1%	100%
Newton Grove	town	585	498±131	$68,906	$149,600	4.2%	100%
Spivey's CornerGEOID 3763920	CDP	576	954±320	$43,938	$85,400	0.0%	100%
KeenerGEOID 3735340	CDP	540	271±197	$39,299	$139,200	0.0%	100%
Salemburg	town	457	550±156	$83,026	$163,100	9.7%	100%
IngoldGEOID 3733640	CDP	416	599±363	$50,893	$33,400	3.7%	100%
BonnetsvilleGEOID 3706980	CDP	318	1,063±672	not published	not published	62.8%	100%
Vann CrossroadsGEOID 3769755	CDP	306	187±123	not published	$249,200	26.7%	100%
TurkeyGEOID 3768740	town	213	391±289	not published	$52,100	5.4%	100%
IvanhoeGEOID 3733940	CDP	198	275±202	$90,724	$148,500	12.5%	100%
AutryvilleGEOID 3702700	town	167	177±74	$43,636	$152,900	14.5%	100%
HarrellsGEOID 3729680	town	160	175±92	$43,750	$175,000	40.6%	100%
DelwayGEOID 3716860	CDP	150	167±146	not published	not published	67.7%	100%
Faison	town	784	660±193	$42,333	$104,200	24.2%	0%
FalconGEOID 3722620	town	324	272±65	not published	$204,200	44.5%	0%

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 Sampson County?

The median resident of Sampson County is 39.7 years old; 24.5% are under 18 and 18.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 49.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 24.0%. 10.6% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Sampson County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	39.7±0.6	39.1	no clear change
Under 18 years	24.5%	21.8%	–
65 years and over	18.1%±0.1 pts	17.2%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	22.0%	11.3%	+2.4 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	49.2%±0.1 pts	60.0%	−1.8 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	24.0%±0.5 pts	20.0%	−1.1 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic	0.4%±0.1 pts	3.3%	−0.2 pts
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	1.6%±0.2 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	2.3%±0.5 pts	4.1%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.4%±0.2 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	10.6%±1.0 pts	9.1%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	19.3%±0.7 pts	13.5%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	6.9%±0.9 pts	7.4%	–
With a disability	15.7%±1.3 pts	13.6%	–
No health insurance coverage	15.6%±1.6 pts	9.9%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	84.1%±1.7 pts	90.1%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	16.2%±1.3 pts	35.7%	+2.5 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	4.7%±0.7 pts	13.5%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	0.6%±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 Sampson County earn?

Half of Sampson County's 21,607 households earn less than $52,432 a year (±$4,188), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $51,875 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.8% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Sampson County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$52,432±$4,188	$72,388	no clear change
Mean household income	$70,124±$3,721	$101,208	–
Per capita income	$27,307±$1,306	$41,385	no clear change
People below the poverty line	21.8%±2.5 pts	13.0%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	34.0%±5.4 pts	17.7%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	20.2%±2.0 pts	12.8%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	84.7%±1.5 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 Sampson County?

Owners occupy 73.8% of Sampson County's occupied homes and renters 26.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $150,700 by its owner (±$8,685). The median renter pays $834 a month including utilities, and 40.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Sampson County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$150,700±$8,685	$288,900	+$40,799
Median gross rent	$834±$30	$1,228	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	40.6%±4.8 pts	39.6%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,241±$57	$1,631	–
Owner-occupied homes	73.8%±2.4 pts	66.6%	+4.5 pts
Housing units	25,852±41	4,895,668	−1,874
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.2%±0.2 pts	1.3%	–
Rental vacancy rate	2.7%±1.5 pts	7.1%	–
Single-family detached homes	61.6%±2.0 pts	65.3%	–
Mobile homes	32.4%±2.0 pts	11.0%	–
Built 2020 or later	1.4%±0.6 pts	3.0%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	6.7%±1.2 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 Sampson County building?

Builders took permits for 117 new housing units across Sampson County in 2025 (117 single-family), 1.9 per 1,000 residents.

2019 140 units
2020 107 units
2021 174 units
2022 180 units
2023 169 units
2024 189 units
2025 117 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Sampson County get to work?

82.4% of Sampson County's workers drive alone and 4.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Sampson County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	56.4%±1.8 pts	62.8%	–
Unemployment rate	5.3%±1.5 pts	4.7%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	82.4%±2.5 pts	71.5%	–
Carpooled	10.1%±2.1 pts	8.5%	–
Public transportation	0.9%±0.5 pts	0.7%	–
Walked	0.6%±0.4 pts	1.6%	–
Worked from home	4.9%±1.1 pts	16.3%	no clear change
Mean travel time to work	26.5 min±1.1	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 Sampson County's census tracts?

Sampson County is divided into 20 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,888 (Tract 9701.01) to $69,103 (Tract 9705.02).

Census tracts of Sampson County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 9701.0137163970101	Turkey (21%)	1,734	1,663±415	$36,888	$59,500	$857	22.8%
Tract 9701.0237163970102	Keener (9%)	4,555	4,057±634	$44,312	$108,500	$920	25.5%
Tract 9702.0137163970201	Newton Grove (49%)	1,154	1,305±264	$51,250	$135,200	$958	4.8%
Tract 9702.0237163970202	Vann Crossroads (6%)	5,143	4,464±594	$56,194	$168,700	$826	20.6%
Tract 9703.0237163970302	Spivey's Corner (2%)	4,906	5,340±855	$60,546	$206,300	$839	13.0%
Tract 9703.0337163970303	Falcon (4%)	2,227	2,735±610	$46,813	$124,700	$768	29.1%
Tract 9703.0437163970304	Plain View (48%)	4,071	3,155±520	$55,648	$215,900	$869	8.2%
Tract 9704.0137163970401	Autryville (53%)	1,833	1,922±395	$55,426	$100,500	$665	10.0%
Tract 9704.0237163970402	Roseboro (65%)	2,801	2,908±510	$45,179	$109,200	$762	23.8%
Tract 9705.0137163970501	Salemburg (67%)	1,189	1,034±178	$55,139	$135,900	$725	16.9%
Tract 9705.0237163970502	Bonnetsville (9%)	4,198	4,613±769	$69,103	$157,800	$860	35.6%
Tract 970637163970600	Clinton (81%)	4,640	4,502±394	$47,893	$238,700	$721	28.7%
Tract 9707.0137163970701	Clinton (96%)	1,807	1,849±329	$58,028	$203,000	$932	13.5%
Tract 9707.0237163970702	Clinton (35%)	4,624	5,560±638	$62,981	$163,300	$600	17.3%
Tract 9708.0137163970801	Clinton (80%)	2,073	1,910±244	$49,732	$146,300	$874	15.0%
Tract 9708.0237163970802	Clinton (14%)	4,513	4,932±659	$40,958	$194,100	$904	41.5%
Tract 970937163970900	Garland (46%)	2,976	2,891±476	$52,423	$104,400	$953	13.7%
Tract 9710.0137163971001	Ingold (9%)	2,471	2,445±539	$66,723	$106,800	not published	19.6%
Tract 9710.0237163971002	Harrells (24%)	1,226	1,305±273	$49,408	$137,000	$697	17.4%
Tract 9710.0337163971003	Ivanhoe (19%)	895	880±256	$58,929	not published	$1,112	23.1%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Sampson County compare with North Carolina's other counties?

Sampson County's rank among North Carolina's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	47th of 100
Growth 2020-2025	44th of 100
Residents per square mile	73rd of 100
Median household income	77th of 100
Median home value	82nd of 100
Median gross rent	65th of 100
Poverty rate	11th of 100
Bachelor's degree or higher	90th of 100
Median age	76th of 100

Every county in North Carolina

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 Sampson 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.