1st Advantage MortgageIn Robeson County, North Carolina, the typical household earns $41,978 a year and the typical rent is $805. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's North Carolina license first.
On this page
- Robeson County by the numbers
- How much Robeson County households make
- Renting and owning in Robeson County
- Jobs and commutes in Robeson County
- The communities that make up Robeson County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- More Robeson County figures
- What the numbers mean for Robeson County borrowers
- A Robeson County household budget, worked through
- Steps before you apply in Robeson County
- Lender oversight for Robeson County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Robeson County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Robeson County's population at 116,902; only 25 of North Carolina's 100 county-level areas are larger. It covers 947 square miles of land, or about 123 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Lumberton is the biggest of its 21 Census places, at roughly 18,859 people (16% of the county total).
How much Robeson County households make
Half of Robeson County households take in less than $41,978 a year and half take in more, 42% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
| Band | Robeson County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 43.0% | +19.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | -0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.0% | -11.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.5% | -7.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 16% of Robeson County households make $100,000 or more, and 43% make less than $35,000. Census counts 27.2% of Robeson County residents in poverty, against 13.0% across North Carolina. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.508 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Robeson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $805 in Robeson County versus $1,228 statewide. By the Census definition, 48% of Robeson County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $94,500, about 2.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 66% of homes. The median year built is 1986.
| Robeson County | North Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $805/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $94,500 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 13% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Robeson County
The biggest employer of Robeson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by manufacturing (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 16% locally and 12% for North Carolina. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.0% in Robeson County. Long commutes are common here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 7.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Robeson County workers | vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.7% | +3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.3% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -0.4 pts |
| Construction | 10.3% | +3.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -5.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The communities that make up Robeson County
The table lists the 14 largest of 21 Census places in Robeson County, by population. Together all 21 hold about 35,141 people, so roughly 70% of residents live outside any named place. Prospect has the highest median household income on the list ($110,769) and Red Springs the lowest ($20,833), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton | city | 18,859 | $42,877 | $866 | 5 mi |
| Red Springs | town | 3,125 | $20,833 | $582 | 12 mi |
| Pembroke | town | 2,822 | $25,889 | $707 | 6 mi |
| St. Pauls | town | 2,688 | $36,800 | $781 | 14 mi |
| Fairmont | town | 2,463 | $36,641 | $603 | 10 mi |
| Barker Ten Mile | CDP | 1,156 | $66,667 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Rowland | town | 946 | $32,500 | $733 | 13 mi |
| Prospect | CDP | 907 | $110,769 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Parkton | town | 529 | $56,250 | $1,700 | 19 mi |
| Rennert | town | 292 | $26,875 | $653 | 12 mi |
| Raemon | CDP | 288 | $76,563 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Elrod | CDP | 246 | $30,625 | $776 | 8 mi |
| Wakulla | CDP | 142 | n/a | $1,194 | 14 mi |
| Shannon | CDP | 125 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Robeson County's, from 23 to 33 miles away. Hoke County leads the group on income ($64,912), Marlboro County trails ($34,301), and Robeson County out-earns 1 of the six. Some neighbors are in South Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Robeson County resident follows North Carolina rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robeson County | - | $41,978 | $805/mo | 66% |
| Dillon County, SC | 23 mi | $46,605 | $679/mo | 65% |
| Scotland County, NC | 25 mi | $45,730 | $778/mo | 62% |
| Hoke County, NC | 27 mi | $64,912 | $1,089/mo | 73% |
| Bladen County, NC | 32 mi | $42,422 | $773/mo | 69% |
| Cumberland County, NC | 32 mi | $61,291 | $1,222/mo | 55% |
| Marlboro County, SC | 33 mi | $34,301 | $689/mo | 63% |
More Robeson County figures
15% of Robeson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 14.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Robeson County | North Carolina | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.4 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.7% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 20.0% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.2% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.9% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.2% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 27.2% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.0% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.3% |
| 60+ min | 8.1% |
What the numbers mean for Robeson County borrowers
Based on the Robeson County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Robeson County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 37% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Assistance before credit. With a 27% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Robeson County loan.
- 48% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
A Robeson County household budget, worked through
Here is the Robeson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Robeson County: $3,498
- Rent at the median, $805, takes 23% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $454 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Steps before you apply in Robeson County
Quick steps for Robeson County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Robeson County-area credit union.
- Verify the North Carolina license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Lender oversight for Robeson County
Robeson County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The North Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The North Carolina guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Robeson County household make?
About $41,978 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 42% below the North Carolina median.
What do renters pay in Robeson County?
$805 a month at the median, about 23% of median household income.
Does this page cover Lumberton?
Yes, along with the other 20 Census places in Robeson County, such as Red Springs, Pembroke, St. Pauls.
Is the fit check different in Robeson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Robeson County check a lender's license?
With the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.