Sampson County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Sampson County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 59,245. It is the 47th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sampson County is 39.7 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Sampson County is $53,159. This is 24% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 54% 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 5.2%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $128,400. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Sampson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sampson County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.3% vs 10.9%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 84.3%.