Harnett County, North Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 23rd-largest in North Carolina

The population of Harnett County, North Carolina is 136,503 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 23rd-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $69,012, the median home value is $220,700, and the median age is 35.4.

The population of Harnett County has grown 26.2% since 2010 (115,757 → 146,096), a +1.68% annualized rate.

Harnett County within North Carolina · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

136,503

Population

+1.68%

Annual growth

229

People / sq mi

$69,012

Median Income

$220,700

Median Home Value

Harnett County covers 595 sq mi of land at 229.4 people per square mile.

About Harnett County, NC

Age is the most distinctive thing about Harnett County: a median age of 35.4, younger than the national median. With 136,503 residents, Harnett County is a county in North Carolina. It ranks #23 among counties in North Carolina by population.

Median household income is $69,012, below the US median of $78,538. About 11.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $220,700, with typical rent around $1,080.

Degree attainment is mid-range for US counties: 23.9% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Around 7.0% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 32 minutes each way.

Harnett County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Harnett County had a population of 115,757 in 2010 and 146,096 in 2024, a 26.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 146,096 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.68%.

Harnett County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

146,096

Population (2024)

115,757

Population (2010)

146,096

Peak (2024)

1.68%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	115,757	-	-	estimate
2011	119,201	+3,444	+2.98%	estimate
2012	122,250	+3,049	+2.56%	estimate
2013	125,093	+2,843	+2.33%	estimate
2014	126,769	+1,676	+1.34%	estimate
2015	128,145	+1,376	+1.09%	estimate
2016	130,822	+2,677	+2.09%	estimate
2017	132,584	+1,762	+1.35%	estimate
2018	134,649	+2,065	+1.56%	estimate
2019	136,172	+1,523	+1.13%	estimate
2020	133,716	-2,456	-1.80%	estimate
2021	135,563	+1,847	+1.38%	estimate
2022	138,583	+3,020	+2.23%	estimate
2023	141,792	+3,209	+2.32%	estimate
2024	146,096	+4,304	+3.04%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	63.0%
Black or African American	20.8%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.4%
Two or More Races	0.1%

Age & Sex

35.4

Median Age

50.4%

Female

49.6%

Male

13.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

7.1%

5–9

7.0%

10–14

7.6%

15–19

6.5%

20–24

5.9%

25–34

15.2%

35–44

14.1%

45–54

12.0%

55–59

5.5%

60–64

5.7%

65–74

8.2%

75–84

3.8%

85+

1.4%

Children (under 15): 21.7% · Seniors (65+): 13.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$69,012$-892 vs state
Mean household income	$84,184
Per-capita income	$31,382
Poverty rate	11.0%+1.6% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.8%
Employment-to-population	52.6%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

21.6%

Manufacturing

12.2%

Construction

10.5%

Finance & real estate

9.2%

Public administration

7.7%

Education & health care

7.3%

Retail trade

5.5%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.9%

The largest employment sector in Harnett County is professional & business services, accounting for 21.6% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

1.7%

Carpool

80.0%

Public transit

7.0%

Work from home

32.4 min

Avg commute

Housing

$220,700$-38,700 vs state

Median home value

$1,080

Median rent

69.5%

Homeownership rate

54,051

Total housing units

90.0%

Occupied

10.0%

Vacant

30.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

89.3%

With health insurance

93.9%

With broadband internet

35.4%

Foreign-born

11.3%

Veterans (18+)

15.5%

With a disability

88.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

88.7%

High School+

23.9%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in North Carolina

Charlotte (886,283)Raleigh (470,763)Greensboro (298,564)Durham (288,465)Winston-Salem (250,887)Fayetteville (209,692)Cary (176,686)Wilmington (118,578)High Point (115,263)Concord (106,518)All North Carolina cities →

Other counties in North Carolina

Wake County (1,151,009)Mecklenburg County (1,130,906)Guilford County (542,987)Forsyth County (386,740)Cumberland County (336,749)Durham County (329,405)Buncombe County (271,790)Union County (244,975)Gaston County (231,485)Cabarrus County (231,262)All North Carolina counties →

Part of North Carolina

North Carolina demographic profile All North Carolina data →

Metro areas in North Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Raleigh (1,449,594)Greensboro (779,894)Winston (683,637)Durham (594,291)Wilmington (440,578)Asheville (410,817)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Harnett County, North Carolina has a population of 136,503 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 23rd-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 229 people per square mile.

The population of Harnett County has grown 26.2% since 2010 (115,757 → 146,096), a +1.68% annualized rate.

The median household income in Harnett County, North Carolina is $69,012, with mean (average) household income of $84,184 and per-capita income of $31,382. 11.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Harnett County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (63.0%), Black or African American (20.8%), Hispanic or Latino (2.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Harnett County, North Carolina is 35.4 years. Residents are 50.4% female and 49.6% male.

The median home value in Harnett County is $220,700 and median monthly rent is $1,080. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 54,051 total housing units, 10.0% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Harnett County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 21.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.8%.

Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Harnett County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.