1st Advantage MortgageIn Scotland County, North Carolina, the typical household earns $45,730 a year and the typical rent is $778. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Scotland County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Scotland County
- How much Scotland County households make
- How Scotland County residents earn a living
- Places inside Scotland County
- Scotland County and the counties next door
- A Scotland County household budget, worked through
- Scotland County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Scotland County data as a borrower
- A Scotland County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Scotland County residents
- More guides for Scotland County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Scotland County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Scotland County's population at 33,590; only 68 of North Carolina's 100 county-level areas are larger. It covers 319 square miles of land, or about 105 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Scotland County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 8 Census places inside Scotland County, Laurinburg leads by population with about 15,087; 4 of the 8 are incorporated.
Rent, home values and ownership in Scotland County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $778 in Scotland County versus $1,228 statewide. 52% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 29% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $114,900, about 2.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 62%. Median construction year: 1982.
| Measure | Scotland County | North Carolina | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $778/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $114,900 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 13% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
How much Scotland County households make
Scotland County households have a median income of $45,730 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 92nd of 100 in North Carolina.
| Band | Scotland County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.0% | +17.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.6% | +0.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.6% | -12.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -5.5 pts |
Some 41% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 17% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 25.8% of Scotland County residents in poverty, against 13.0% across North Carolina. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.535 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Scotland County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Scotland County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by manufacturing (18%). Compared with North Carolina, the county leans toward manufacturing (18% against 12%). The survey's unemployment rate for Scotland County averages 10.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home.
| Where residents work | Scotland County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | +2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.0% | +6.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.9% | +2.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.0% | -6.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Scotland County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Scotland County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Scotland County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 21,121 people, so roughly 37% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $22,667 in Maxton to $91,036 in Deercroft. Rent is cheapest in Maxton ($619) and steepest in Wagram ($823). Live in one of these Scotland County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurinburg | city | 15,087 | $42,170 | $774 | 5 mi |
| Maxton | town | 2,330 | $22,667 | $619 | 10 mi |
| Laurel Hill | CDP | 986 | $30,893 | $798 | 4 mi |
| Wagram | town | 754 | $52,159 | $823 | 7 mi |
| Gibson | town | 745 | $25,000 | $748 | 9 mi |
| Deercroft | CDP | 718 | $91,036 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Scotch Meadows | CDP | 370 | $92,083 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Old Hundred | CDP | 131 | n/a | $768 | 7 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Scotland County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 32 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Scotland County; Moore County is highest at $86,080 and Marlboro County lowest at $34,301. Some neighbors are in South Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Scotland County resident follows North Carolina rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland County | - | $45,730 | $778/mo | 62% |
| Hoke County, NC | 18 mi | $64,912 | $1,089/mo | 73% |
| Richmond County, NC | 19 mi | $44,883 | $724/mo | 66% |
| Marlboro County, SC | 20 mi | $34,301 | $689/mo | 63% |
| Robeson County, NC | 25 mi | $41,978 | $805/mo | 66% |
| Dillon County, SC | 32 mi | $46,605 | $679/mo | 65% |
| Moore County, NC | 32 mi | $86,080 | $1,254/mo | 76% |
A Scotland County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Scotland County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $45,730 a year is $3,811 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $778, or 20 cents of every gross dollar
- At 36%, room after rent is $594 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Scotland County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. 9.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Scotland County | North Carolina | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.7 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.8% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.9% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.6% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.8% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 10.9% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Scotland County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.7% |
Reading the Scotland County data as a borrower
Based on the Scotland County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 27% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Free help first. 26% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- 52% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
A Scotland County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Scotland County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the North Carolina license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Scotland County residents
The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks is the place to verify any lender's North Carolina license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The North Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Scotland County
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Scotland County earn?
The median is $45,730; 17% earn $100,000 or more and 41% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Scotland County rent compare with North Carolina?
$778 locally versus $1,228 for the state, 37% below.
What are the biggest places in Scotland County?
By population: Laurinburg, Maxton, Laurel Hill, Wagram, Gibson. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Are Scotland 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.
Is there a Scotland County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In North Carolina it is the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks.