Cumberland County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Cumberland County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 336,749. It is the 5th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cumberland County is 31.8 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cumberland County is $58,780. This is 16% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $183,700. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 53.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Cumberland County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.4% vs 20.3%).

Education

27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.6%.