1st Advantage MortgageSampson County households have a median income of $52,432 and median rent of $834 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Sampson County
- Income in Sampson County compared with North Carolina
- How Sampson County residents earn a living
- Sampson County housing compared with North Carolina
- The communities that make up Sampson County
- Regional comparison for Sampson County
- Room for a loan payment in Sampson County
- Who lives in Sampson County, in numbers
- Reading the Sampson County data as a borrower
- Four steps for Sampson County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Sampson County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Sampson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Sampson County's population at 59,470; only 46 of North Carolina's 100 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 946 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 63 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Sampson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 17 Census places inside Sampson County, Clinton leads by population with about 8,304; 9 of the 17 are incorporated.
Income in Sampson County compared with North Carolina
Half of Sampson County households take in less than $52,432 a year and half take in more, 28% below the North Carolina median of $72,388. That places it 77th among North Carolina's 100 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Sampson County | Gap to North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.5% | +9.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +2.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.1% | -3.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.8% | -7.6 pts |
Some 32% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. 21.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.0%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.451 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Sampson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Sampson County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 9% locally and 1% for North Carolina. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Where residents work | Sampson County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +0.6 pts |
| Construction | 9.5% | +2.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.5% | +7.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.8% | +0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Sampson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Sampson County housing compared with North Carolina
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $834 in Sampson County versus $1,228 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 47% of renter households here. With a median value of $150,700, a typical Sampson County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 74% of homes. The median year built is 1988.
| Cost | Sampson County | North Carolina figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $834/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $150,700 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 32.4% | 11.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 13% | n/a |
Because most Sampson County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The communities that make up Sampson County
17 Census places fall mainly inside Sampson County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 17,839 residents, leaving about 70% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $39,333 in Roseboro to $83,026 in Salemburg. Rent is cheapest in Roseboro ($436) and steepest in Salemburg ($1,083). This guide covers each of the 17 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | city | 8,304 | $44,953 | $759 | 2 mi |
| Plain View | CDP | 1,741 | $53,636 | $894 | 21 mi |
| Roseboro | town | 1,123 | $39,333 | $436 | 8 mi |
| Bonnetsville | CDP | 1,063 | n/a | $843 | 2 mi |
| Spivey's Corner | CDP | 954 | $43,938 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Garland | town | 704 | $57,829 | $942 | 14 mi |
| Faison | town | 660 | $42,333 | $671 | 16 mi |
| Ingold | CDP | 599 | $50,893 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Salemburg | town | 550 | $83,026 | $1,083 | 8 mi |
| Newton Grove | town | 498 | $68,906 | $995 | 18 mi |
| Turkey | town | 391 | n/a | $847 | 11 mi |
| Ivanhoe | CDP | 275 | $90,724 | n/a | 29 mi |
| Keener | CDP | 271 | $39,299 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Vann Crossroads | CDP | 187 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
Regional comparison for Sampson County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Sampson County's, from 25 to 39 miles away. Johnston County leads the group on income ($83,384), Bladen County trails ($42,422), and Sampson County out-earns 1 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sampson County | - | $52,432 | $834/mo | 74% |
| Duplin County, NC | 25 mi | $55,148 | $865/mo | 70% |
| Cumberland County, NC | 26 mi | $61,291 | $1,222/mo | 55% |
| Bladen County, NC | 29 mi | $42,422 | $773/mo | 69% |
| Wayne County, NC | 32 mi | $59,733 | $965/mo | 61% |
| Johnston County, NC | 36 mi | $83,384 | $1,146/mo | 76% |
| Harnett County, NC | 39 mi | $71,287 | $1,112/mo | 71% |
Room for a loan payment in Sampson County
Here is the Sampson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,369 before taxes
- Less median rent of $834, which is 19% of it
- $695: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,132 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who lives in Sampson County, in numbers
16% of Sampson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 16% go without health insurance.
| Sampson County | North Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.2% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.9% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.6% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.9% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.8% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Sampson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.5% |
| 60+ min | 9.0% |
Reading the Sampson County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Sampson County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 16% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 20% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Manufactured homes. 32% of Sampson County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 22% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Four steps for Sampson County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Sampson County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Sampson County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Sampson County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Sampson County borrowers answers to the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: North Carolina guide.
Related local guides
The North Carolina guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Sampson County?
$52,432 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,388 for North Carolina. It ranks 77th of 100 in the state.
How much is rent in Sampson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $834 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Sampson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Clinton?
Yes, along with the other 16 Census places in Sampson County, such as Plain View, Roseboro, Bonnetsville.
Are Sampson County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.