Laurinburg, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurinburg, North Carolina had a total population of 15,087, the 71st largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $42,170, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.0% is notably above the national average.
Laurinburg Quick Facts
How Laurinburg Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,079 | 15,087 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $39,258 | $42,170 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $121,500 | $134,200 | +10.5% |
How Laurinburg Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurinburg Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Scotland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Hill | 986 | $30,893 | 31.3% | $56,700 |
| Wagram | 754 | $52,159 | 9.6% | $111,700 |
| Gibson | 745 | $25,000 | 51.5% | $80,800 |
| Deercroft | 718 | $91,036 | 0.0% | $379,400 |
| Scotch Meadows | 370 | $92,083 | 25.1% | $220,000 |
| Old Hundred | 131 | N/A | 48.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Laurinburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson | 14,885 | $39,969 | $123,800 | 15.4% | 27.3% |
| Reidsville | 14,585 | $42,921 | $138,800 | 21.9% | 21.1% |
| Eden | 15,356 | $47,260 | $120,700 | 11.9% | 19.2% |
| Roanoke Rapids | 14,856 | $53,690 | $142,700 | 22.0% | 18.4% |
| Hendersonville | 15,408 | $53,449 | $317,000 | 38.1% | 14.5% |
Population Overview
Laurinburg is a small city located in North Carolina, within Scotland County. The total population is 15,087. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurinburg is 37.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurinburg is $42,170. This is 42% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.1%. This is 139% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.0%. This is 134% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $134,200. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 46.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurinburg is Black or African American, making up 47.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (47.6% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurinburg, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Laurinburg, North Carolina?
Laurinburg, North Carolina has a population of 15,087 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurinburg, NC?
The median household income in Laurinburg is $42,170, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurinburg, NC?
The poverty rate in Laurinburg is 31.1%. This means approximately 4,425 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurinburg, North Carolina?
Laurinburg's population is 34.2% White, 47.6% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurinburg, NC?
The median home value in Laurinburg is $134,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Laurinburg, North Carolina?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Laurinburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.