County · North Carolina
Scotland County, North Carolina
Scotland County, North Carolina. Scotland County had 33,322 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.5% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. It holds 8 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 37165.
Scotland County is the county of the Laurinburg, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,322
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 34,174 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,590
Median household income
$45,730
±$3,850 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$114,900
±$5,389 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$778
±$24 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Scotland County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 34,174 residents in Scotland County. The Census Bureau estimates 33,322 for July 1, 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 33,590 over 319 square miles of land.
| Measure | Scotland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,590 | 10,730,404 | −1,486 |
| Households | 12,580±200 | 4,282,345 | −342 |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.04 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,441±66 | 4,895,668 | −871 |
Scotland County's population since 2000
From 35,998 in 2000 to 33,322 in 2025: down 7.4%. 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 Scotland County?
Scotland County holds 8 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Laurinburg with 14,582 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Laurinburg | 14,978 | $42,170 |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel Hill | 1,121 | $30,893 |
| Wagram | 615 | $52,159 |
| Scotch MeadowsGEOID 3759765 | 568 | $92,083 |
| Gibson | 449 | $25,000 |
| Deercroft | 414 | $91,036 |
| Old HundredGEOID 3748940 | 218 | not published |
| Maxton | 2,110 | $22,667 |
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 Scotland County?
The median resident of Scotland County is 38.7 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 18.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 40.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 37.0%. 3.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Scotland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.7±0.6 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.2%±0.2 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.4%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.0% | 11.3% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 40.1%±0.5 pts | 60.0% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 37.0%±1.0 pts | 20.0% | −1.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 11.5%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2%±1.1 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.5%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.2%±1.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±0.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.4%±1.4 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.9%±1.2 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.2%±1.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.6%±1.6 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.6%±1.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±1.0 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 Scotland County earn?
Half of Scotland County's 12,580 households earn less than $45,730 a year (±$3,850), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $45,829 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 25.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Scotland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $45,730±$3,850 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,579±$5,791 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,395±$2,504 | $41,385 | +$4,948 |
| People below the poverty line | 25.8%±2.1 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.0%±4.9 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 31.6%±2.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.3%±1.8 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 Scotland County?
Owners occupy 61.8% of Scotland County's occupied homes and renters 38.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $114,900 by its owner (±$5,389). The median renter pays $778 a month including utilities, and 42.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Scotland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $114,900±$5,389 | $288,900 | +$9,676 |
| Median gross rent | $778±$24 | $1,228 | −$51 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.9%±5.4 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,231±$46 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.8%±2.1 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,441±66 | 4,895,668 | −871 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.8%±2.0 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 27.2%±1.9 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.4%±0.9 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 Scotland County building?
Builders took permits for 59 new housing units across Scotland County in 2025 (59 single-family), 1.8 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 Scotland County get to work?
82.9% of Scotland County's workers drive alone and 5.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.9%.
| Measure | Scotland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.9%±1.6 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.9%±1.5 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 82.9%±2.4 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.2%±2.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.6%±1.5 pts | 16.3% | +4.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.1 min±2.1 | 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 Scotland County's census tracts?
Scotland County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,420 (Tract 102) to $64,150 (Tract 106.02).
| Tract 101.0137165010101 | 3,063±322 | $60,227 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 101.0237165010102 | 5,848±493 | $47,917 |
| Tract 10237165010200 | 3,328±364 | $27,420 |
| Tract 10337165010300 | 3,966±374 | $34,599 |
| Tract 10437165010400 | 4,349±342 | $52,933 |
| Tract 105.0137165010501 | 2,687±305 | $32,754 |
| Tract 105.0237165010502 | 3,619±419 | $46,719 |
| Tract 106.0137165010601 | 3,195±279 | $45,472 |
| Tract 106.0237165010602 | 3,535±438 | $64,150 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Scotland County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 69th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 95th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 54th of 100 |
| Median household income | 92nd of 100 |
| Median home value | 95th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 79th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 87th of 100 |
| Median age | 83rd 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 Scotland 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.