1st Advantage MortgageAbout 71% of Harnett County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $71,287. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in North Carolina before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Harnett County
- Income in Harnett County compared with North Carolina
- Rent, home values and ownership in Harnett County
- Jobs and commutes in Harnett County
- Regional comparison for Harnett County
- Harnett County towns compared
- People and households in Harnett County
- Local borrowing considerations for Harnett County
- Budget math at the Harnett County median
- Four steps for Harnett County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Harnett County
Roughly 139,150 residents live in Harnett County, North Carolina, 23rd by population among the state's 100 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 595 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 234 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Harnett County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 10 Census places inside Harnett County, Anderson Creek leads by population with about 13,927; 5 of the 10 are incorporated.
Income in Harnett County compared with North Carolina
The median household income in Harnett County is $71,287; statewide it is $72,388, so Harnett County runs 2% below North Carolina as a whole.
| Households earning | Harnett County | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.2% | +0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.8% | +2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.8% | +0.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.3% | -4.1 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. 13.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.0%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Harnett County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,112 in Harnett County versus $1,228 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $246,200, a typical Harnett County house costs 3.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 71% of homes. The median year built is 1997.
| Home costs | Harnett County | North Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,112/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $246,200 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.0% | 11.0% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Harnett County
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Public administration stands out: 7% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Harnett County averages 4.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). About 79% drive to work alone and 27% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Harnett County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.8% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.5% | -2.2 pts |
| Construction | 10.1% | +2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -0.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Regional comparison for Harnett County
Distances run center to center, from Lee County at 18 miles out to Hoke County at 32. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Harnett County; Wake County is highest at $105,768 and Cumberland County lowest at $61,291.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harnett County | - | $71,287 | $1,112/mo | 71% |
| Lee County, NC | 18 mi | $65,387 | $1,017/mo | 67% |
| Cumberland County, NC | 22 mi | $61,291 | $1,222/mo | 55% |
| Johnston County, NC | 30 mi | $83,384 | $1,146/mo | 76% |
| Chatham County, NC | 32 mi | $94,317 | $1,180/mo | 81% |
| Wake County, NC | 32 mi | $105,768 | $1,623/mo | 64% |
| Hoke County, NC | 32 mi | $64,912 | $1,089/mo | 73% |
Harnett County towns compared
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Harnett County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 56,288 people, so roughly 60% of residents live outside any named place. Spout Springs has the highest median household income on the list ($92,402) and Mamers the lowest ($33,561), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 10 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Creek | CDP | 13,927 | $87,287 | $1,251 | 8 mi |
| Spout Springs | CDP | 11,242 | $92,402 | $2,010 | 12 mi |
| Dunn | city | 8,559 | $46,830 | $788 | 15 mi |
| Angier | town | 6,241 | $52,214 | $894 | 12 mi |
| Lillington | town | 4,709 | $81,760 | $997 | 5 mi |
| Erwin | town | 4,687 | $50,701 | $1,112 | 12 mi |
| Buies Creek | CDP | 3,746 | $53,933 | $1,223 | 8 mi |
| Coats | town | 1,664 | $37,009 | $909 | 12 mi |
| Bunnlevel | CDP | 844 | $74,818 | $959 | 8 mi |
| Mamers | CDP | 669 | $33,561 | $746 | 5 mi |
People and households in Harnett County
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. 9.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Harnett County | North Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.6 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.5% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.4% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.7% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.5% |
| 60+ min | 13.7% |
Local borrowing considerations for Harnett County
What the Harnett County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Keeping the car running. At 27% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Harnett County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 18% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Renters under pressure. When 45% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Budget math at the Harnett County median
How much room does a median Harnett County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $71,287 a year is $5,941 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,112, takes 19% of that
- $1,027: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Harnett County's.
Four steps for Harnett County borrowers
Steps that save money for Harnett County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Carolina.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks is the place to verify any lender's North Carolina license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the North Carolina state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Harnett County household make?
About $71,287 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 2% below the North Carolina median.
Is Harnett County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,112 against $1,228 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Harnett County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 71% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Harnett County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Anderson Creek, Spout Springs, Dunn, Angier, Lillington and 5 more.
Is the fit check different in Harnett County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.