Cumberland County, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
 Cumberland County Courthouse in Fayetteville | |
 Flag  Seal  Logo | |
| Motto(s): "Out Of Many, One" | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNorth Carolina | |
 Interactive map of Cumberland County, North Carolina | |
| Coordinates:35°03′N78°50′W / 35.05°N 78.83°W /35.05; -78.83 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  North Carolina |
| Founded | 1754 |
| Named after | Prince William, Duke of Cumberland |
| Seat | Fayetteville |
| Largest community | Fayetteville |
| Area | |
• Total | 658.48 sq mi (1,705.5 km2) |
| • Land | 652.56 sq mi (1,690.1 km2) |
| • Water | 5.92 sq mi (15.3 km2) 0.90% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 334,728 |
• Estimate (2024) | 338,430 |
| • Density | 513.4/sq mi (198.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 7th,9th |
| Website | www |
Cumberland County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofNorth Carolina. As of the2020 census, the population was 334,728,[1] making it thefifth-most populous county in North Carolina. Itscounty seat isFayetteville.[2] Cumberland County is part of the Fayetteville, NCMetropolitan Statistical Area.
The county was formed in 1754 fromBladen County. It was named forPrince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721–1765), captain-general of the British army and victorious commander at theBattle of Culloden.
In 1771 parts of Cumberland County,Johnston County, andOrange County were combined to formWake County. In July 1784 the western part of Cumberland County becameMoore County; the eastern part becameFayette County in honor of theMarquis de la Fayette, but the nameCumberland County was restored three months later. The county was represented as Fayette County in theNorth Carolina General Assembly of April 1784. In 1855 the northern part of Cumberland County becameHarnett County. Finally, in 1911 parts of Cumberland County andRobeson County were combined to formHoke County.[3]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 658.48 square miles (1,705.5 km2), of which 652.56 square miles (1,690.1 km2) is land and 5.92 square miles (15.3 km2) (0.90%) is water.[4]
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I-295 / Future I-295
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US 401
US 401 Bus.
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NC 53
NC 59
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NC 295 (temporary highway designation for I-295)
NC 690| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 8,730 | — | |
| 1800 | 9,264 | 6.1% | |
| 1810 | 9,382 | 1.3% | |
| 1820 | 14,446 | 54.0% | |
| 1830 | 14,834 | 2.7% | |
| 1840 | 15,284 | 3.0% | |
| 1850 | 20,610 | 34.8% | |
| 1860 | 16,369 | −20.6% | |
| 1870 | 17,035 | 4.1% | |
| 1880 | 23,836 | 39.9% | |
| 1890 | 27,321 | 14.6% | |
| 1900 | 29,249 | 7.1% | |
| 1910 | 35,284 | 20.6% | |
| 1920 | 35,064 | −0.6% | |
| 1930 | 45,219 | 29.0% | |
| 1940 | 59,320 | 31.2% | |
| 1950 | 96,006 | 61.8% | |
| 1960 | 148,418 | 54.6% | |
| 1970 | 212,042 | 42.9% | |
| 1980 | 247,160 | 16.6% | |
| 1990 | 274,566 | 11.1% | |
| 2000 | 302,963 | 10.3% | |
| 2010 | 319,431 | 5.4% | |
| 2020 | 334,728 | 4.8% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 338,430 | [10] | 1.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13] 1990–2000[14] 2010[15] 2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, there were 334,728 people, 128,978 households, and 78,365 families residing in the county.[16]
The median age was 33.4 years; 24.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.0% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.3 males age 18 and over.[16]
The racial makeup of the county was 42.4%White, 38.1%Black or African American, 1.7%American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.7%Asian, 0.4%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 4.7% from some other race, and 9.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 11.8% of the population.[17]
86.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 13.8% lived in rural areas.[18]
There were 128,978 households in the county, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.8% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]
There were 142,175 housing units, of which 9.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 53.4% were owner-occupied and 46.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.5%.[16]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[19] | Pop 2010[20] | Pop 2020[21] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 159,304 | 150,749 | 133,201 | 52.58% | 47.19% | 39.79% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 104,068 | 113,939 | 124,173 | 34.35% | 35.67% | 37.10% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 4,371 | 4,655 | 4,647 | 1.44% | 1.46% | 1.39% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 5,552 | 6,885 | 8,943 | 1.83% | 2.16% | 2.67% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 839 | 1,114 | 1,357 | 0.28% | 0.35% | 0.41% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 735 | 671 | 2,206 | 0.24% | 0.21% | 0.66% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 7,175 | 11,228 | 20,703 | 2.37% | 3.52% | 6.18% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 20,919 | 30,190 | 39,498 | 6.90% | 9.45% | 11.80% |
| Total | 302,963 | 319,431 | 334,728 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
At the2010 census,[22] 302,963 people, 107,358 households, and 77,619 families resided in the county. Thepopulation density was 464 people per square mile (179 people/km2). The 118,425 housing units had an average density of 181 units per square mile (70 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 55.15% White, 34.90% African American, 1.55% Native American, 1.88% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 3.13% from other races, and 3.09% from two or more races. About 6.90% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
Of the 107,358 households, 39.4% had children under 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were not families. About 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.65, and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county, the age distribution was 27.9% under 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.30 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 101.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,466, and for a family was $41,459. Males had a median income of $28,308 versus $22,379 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,376. About 10.4% of families and 12.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of those 65 or over.
Cumberland County is a member of the regionalMid-Carolina Council of Governments.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1880 | 2,137 | 50.33% | 2,109 | 49.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1884 | 2,192 | 47.03% | 2,469 | 52.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1888 | 2,028 | 44.56% | 2,523 | 55.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1892 | 1,333 | 27.17% | 2,178 | 44.39% | 1,395 | 28.43% |
| 1896 | 2,200 | 46.36% | 2,509 | 52.88% | 36 | 0.76% |
| 1900 | 2,138 | 51.98% | 1,964 | 47.75% | 11 | 0.27% |
| 1904 | 1,129 | 41.37% | 1,594 | 58.41% | 6 | 0.22% |
| 1908 | 1,453 | 44.23% | 1,832 | 55.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 235 | 8.41% | 1,678 | 60.08% | 880 | 31.51% |
| 1916 | 1,217 | 38.17% | 1,971 | 61.83% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1920 | 1,972 | 37.89% | 3,233 | 62.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 1,372 | 31.67% | 2,923 | 67.47% | 37 | 0.85% |
| 1928 | 3,534 | 51.73% | 3,297 | 48.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 931 | 15.56% | 5,012 | 83.77% | 40 | 0.67% |
| 1936 | 1,024 | 13.60% | 6,505 | 86.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 1,118 | 15.60% | 6,050 | 84.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 2,014 | 23.34% | 6,615 | 76.66% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 1,741 | 19.21% | 4,996 | 55.13% | 2,325 | 25.66% |
| 1952 | 7,474 | 45.82% | 8,839 | 54.18% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 6,699 | 43.05% | 8,862 | 56.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 8,072 | 41.03% | 11,601 | 58.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 9,093 | 39.61% | 13,864 | 60.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 9,143 | 31.95% | 9,938 | 34.72% | 9,539 | 33.33% |
| 1972 | 24,376 | 70.46% | 9,853 | 28.48% | 366 | 1.06% |
| 1976 | 14,226 | 36.78% | 24,297 | 62.81% | 160 | 0.41% |
| 1980 | 21,540 | 47.63% | 22,073 | 48.80% | 1,615 | 3.57% |
| 1984 | 31,602 | 58.18% | 22,614 | 41.63% | 103 | 0.19% |
| 1988 | 27,057 | 53.07% | 23,789 | 46.66% | 133 | 0.26% |
| 1992 | 27,139 | 42.10% | 30,291 | 46.98% | 7,040 | 10.92% |
| 1996 | 29,804 | 44.83% | 32,739 | 49.25% | 3,936 | 5.92% |
| 2000 | 38,129 | 49.42% | 38,626 | 50.07% | 396 | 0.51% |
| 2004 | 49,139 | 51.60% | 45,788 | 48.08% | 299 | 0.31% |
| 2008 | 52,151 | 40.88% | 74,693 | 58.55% | 731 | 0.57% |
| 2012 | 50,666 | 39.69% | 75,792 | 59.38% | 1,183 | 0.93% |
| 2016 | 51,265 | 40.21% | 71,605 | 56.16% | 4,636 | 3.64% |
| 2020 | 60,032 | 40.80% | 84,469 | 57.40% | 2,649 | 1.80% |
| 2024 | 59,840 | 42.59% | 78,631 | 55.96% | 2,042 | 1.45% |
Cumberland County is home toFayetteville State University (anHBCU in theCIAA Conference),Methodist University (a member of theUSA South Athletic Conference), and Fayetteville Technical Community College.
TheCumberland County Schools district serves most areas for grades PK-12.[24] TheDepartment of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) operates public schools onFort Bragg for PK-8, but for high school Fort Bragg students attend local public schools in their respective counties.[25] The Cumberland Schools system is the fourth largestpublic school system in the state ofNorth Carolina. There are 17 high schools in Cumberland County: Cape Fear, Cross Creek Early College, Cumberland International Early College, Cumberland Academy 6-12, Douglas Byrd, E.E. Smith, Gray's Creek, Jack Britt, Massey Hill Classical, Pine Forest, Reid Ross Classical, Seventy-First, South View, Terry Sanford, Alger B. Wilkins, Ramsey Street, and Westover.
The Cumberland County Public Library & and Information Center began as the Fayetteville Library Society after being incorporated by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1794.[26] The Fayetteville Library Society was the first library organization or group to become incorporated in the state of North Carolina.[27] The current library director is Ms. Jody Risacher[28] and she is also a member of the 2018 Library Board of Trustees for Cumberland County. Board of trustee members are appointed every three years by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.[29]
Director Risacher was initially hired as the deputy director for the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center in the late 1990s and became the library's director in 2008. Director Risacher was named the Library Director of the Year by the North Carolina Public Library Association in 2013.[30]
Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center has eight branches: Bordeaux Branch, Cliffdale Regional Branch, East Regional Branch, Headquarters Branch, Hope Mills Branch, North Regional Branch, Spring Lake Branch, and West Regional Branch. The newest branch is the West Regional Branch Library which opened in 2010, and the oldest branch was the Gillespie Street Branch, which originated as the James Walker Hood Library in 1942 and was a branch specifically for African Americans.[31] Its mission statement is “The library opens windows to the world by encouraging expression, enlightenment, and exploration”.[32]
In 2012, the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center received theNational Medal for Museum and Library Service, which is only awarded to five libraries in the United States each year.[33]
In 2018, the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center won two grants via the American Library Association[34] and the Arts Council of Cumberland County for a total of $5,300.00. One grant was used to support a pilot program at a local high school and the other to support the Cumberland County Storytelling Festival and Artrepreneur program.[35]
The Cumberland County Court Library, which was previously located in the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Courthouse, moved to the Headquarters Library in February 2018. The Court Library is now situated in the Local and State History Room and collection materials are now available to the general public via local libraries. Library staff is available to assist patrons with finding information but they cannot offer patrons legal advice.[36]
Some of the current services offered by the branch libraries include children's, young adult, and adult programming, genealogy and local history, homeschooling resources, and homework help for students. Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center offers patrons access to free downloads for audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, videos, and resources for education purposes. Patrons are able to access these resources remotely online via the use of the patron's library card number and pin. The library branches also offer computer training courses/classes, as well as story times, and opportunities for people or groups in the community to reserve spaces for meetings and programs.[37]
An October 2023 study released byAmericans for the Arts, (AFTA)[38] found that nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Fayetteville and Cumberland County created $72.2 million in total economic activity in 2022, supported over 1100 jobs, provided $44.1 million in personal income to residents and generated $9.5 million in local, state and federal tax revenue.[39] At an April 2024 event theArts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County announced that arts and cultural activities drew more than 900,000 visitors to the region.[40]
In addition to city-managed spaces, the county is home to Carvers Creek State Park, which provides families with access to the historic Rockefeller House and diverse hiking trails.[47]
Geographic data related toCumberland County, North Carolina atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to Cumberland County, North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofCumberland County, North Carolina,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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