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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Sampson County

North Carolina · 59,036 residents · 945.93 sq mi
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The short version

Sampson County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,914. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $97,500. The poverty rate of 21.7% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
59,036
−2%since 2000
from 60,161 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
62 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 64 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.5
+16%since 2000
from 35.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
46K51K56K61K66K1990201020202024Sampson County
202459K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,914
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,793 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,502
+57%since 2000
from $14,976 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.3%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 10%
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing10.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction10.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade9.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$97,500
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$682
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $387 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.2%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 73.5% in 2000
29.8% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+9%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sampson County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.8%(34,190)
Black29.7%(17,871)
Hispanic / Latino10.8%(6,477)
Asian0.3%(157)
Other0%
Diversity Score69.5%(41,797)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic50.4%(29,729)
Black23.6%(13,944)
Hispanic / Latino20.7%(12,249)
Asian0.4%(216)
Other3.6%(2,115)
Diversity Score79.6%(46,986)
Segregation Score22.6%(13,367)
Diversity Score
80
+15%since 2000
from 69 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
23
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.4%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.0%
+11.8 ptssince 2000
from 69.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.7 min
+54%since 2000
from 18.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.4%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.8%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.2%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 62.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.9%
−28.5 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
9.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
15.5%
−64.9 ptssince 2013
from 80.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Sampson County

Jefferson County
Pop 62,987
Russell County
Pop 58,898
Jackson County
Pop 54,281
Walker County
Pop 65,140
Places similar to Sampson County
Head to head

Compare Sampson County to nearby counties

SAMPSON COUNTY VS
Duplin County
Income$55,148+29%
Home value$137,400+41%
Population51,571−16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAMPSON COUNTY VS
Cumberland County
Income$61,291+43%
Home value$199,200+104%
Population338,473+450%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAMPSON COUNTY VS
Bladen County
Income$42,422−1%
Home value$135,100+39%
Population30,007−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAMPSON COUNTY VS
Wayne County
Income$59,733+39%
Home value$178,700+83%
Population122,278+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sampson County, North Carolina?

Sampson County, North Carolina has about 59,036 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sampson County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Sampson County, North Carolina earns about $42,914 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sampson County, North Carolina expensive?

In Sampson County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $97,500, and the typical rent is about $682 a month.

How educated are people in Sampson County, North Carolina?

About 14.4% of adults age 25 and over in Sampson County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sampson County, North Carolina?

About 21.7% of people in Sampson County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sampson County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Sampson County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 11,739 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

20 census tracts
Census Tract 9707.02Census Tract 9703.02Census Tract 9708.02Census Tract 9705.02Census Tract 9706Census Tract 9702.02Census Tract 9701.02Census Tract 9703.04Census Tract 9704.02Census Tract 9709Census Tract 9703.03Census Tract 9710.01Census Tract 9704.01Census Tract 9708.01Census Tract 9707.01Census Tract 9701.01Census Tract 9710.02Census Tract 9702.01Census Tract 9705.01Census Tract 9710.03
11 ZIP codes
ZIP 28328ZIP 28334ZIP 28382ZIP 28344ZIP 28366ZIP 28318ZIP 28341ZIP 28385ZIP 28441ZIP 28444ZIP 28393
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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