Robeson County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Robeson County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 116,858. It is the 26th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 10 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Robeson County is 36.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Robeson County is $40,318. This is 42% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.8%. This is 118% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 6.3%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $88,600. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Robeson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Robeson 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 23.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (23.6%) is well below the state average of 60.7%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

14.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 58% 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 78.9%.