Lumberton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lumberton, North Carolina had a total population of 18,859, the 55th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $42,877, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in North Carolina (diversity index: 72/100).
Lumberton Quick Facts
How Lumberton 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 | 19,220 | 18,859 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $43,114 | $42,877 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $140,100 | $152,600 | +8.9% |
How Lumberton 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lumberton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Robeson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Springs | 3,125 | $20,833 | 40.0% | $100,800 |
| Pembroke | 2,822 | $25,889 | 39.1% | $129,400 |
| St. Pauls | 2,688 | $36,800 | 37.8% | $111,000 |
| Fairmont | 2,463 | $36,641 | 29.0% | $106,800 |
| Maxton | 2,330 | $22,667 | 42.7% | $83,200 |
| Barker Ten Mile | 1,156 | $66,667 | 6.0% | $163,700 |
| Rowland | 946 | $32,500 | 33.7% | $118,000 |
| Prospect | 907 | $110,769 | 21.7% | $100,700 |
| Parkton | 529 | $56,250 | 20.8% | $151,900 |
| Rennert | 292 | $26,875 | 33.9% | $45,800 |
Cities Similar to Lumberton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 19,690 | $43,128 | $179,900 | 12.9% | 27.8% |
| Elizabeth City | 18,871 | $52,141 | $187,700 | 27.2% | 13.3% |
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | $179,400 | 21.2% | 14.6% |
| Kinston | 19,505 | $36,878 | $119,300 | 16.4% | 27.9% |
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | 26.1% | 25.7% |
Population Overview
Lumberton is a small city located in North Carolina, within Robeson County. The total population is 18,859. It ranks as the 55th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lumberton is 34.6 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Lumberton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lumberton is $42,877. This is 41% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 136% 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 5.6%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $152,600. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 43.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lumberton is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.0% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
19.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 80.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lumberton, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lumberton, North Carolina?
Lumberton, North Carolina has a population of 18,859 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lumberton, NC?
The median household income in Lumberton is $42,877, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lumberton, NC?
The poverty rate in Lumberton is 30.8%. This means approximately 5,383 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lumberton, North Carolina?
Lumberton's population is 30.2% White, 40.0% Black, 12.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lumberton, NC?
The median home value in Lumberton is $152,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Lumberton, North Carolina?
19.2% of adults (25+) in Lumberton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.