Population
150,137
2025
+12.3% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Harnett County, NC growth snapshot
Harnett County had an estimated 150,137 residents in 2025, up 12.3% (16,421 more people) since 2020. That is faster than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 14th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+2,783
2025
18.5 per 1,000 residents
+11,847 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
29,633
2025
+17.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$953
2025
+26.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.0%
2025
−0.3 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
2,205
2025
+113.7% since 2021
14.7 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$71,287
2020–24
+30.6% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
24,279
2023
+10.8% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 2,783 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 29,633 jobs in 2025, +17.2% since 2020 (23rd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $953.
Unemployment averaged 4.0% in 2025, 0.3 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 2,205 new homes in 2025, or 14.7 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $71,287 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +30.6% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 125th.
Part of the Anderson Creek, NC micro area.
Harnett County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 150,137 | +3,681 |
| 2024 | 146,456 | +4,684 |
| 2023 | 141,772 | +3,258 |
| 2022 | 138,514 | +2,961 |
| 2021 | 135,553 | +1,837 |
| 2020 | 133,716 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Harnett County
Harnett County grew by 16,421 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+11,847).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +650 | +2,755 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +258 | +1,617 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +2,783 | +11,847 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −10 | +202 | |
| Total change | +3,681 | +16,421 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 8th of 100 | 125th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 9th of 100 | 150th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 25th of 100 | 624th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 22nd of 100 | 1,096th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 64th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 60th of 100 | 1,575th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 2nd of 100 | 44th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
Get the full county report — $99
The quarterly County Growth Report for Harnett County, NC as a PDF: growth, jobs, wages, permits, announcements, sales where allowed, ranks against peer counties and a methods page. Pay once, no subscription.
See a sample report (PDF) · Other counties and options
Every purchase also includes a CSV of every table in the report, ready for a spreadsheet.
- Not useful? Email us within 14 days for a full refund
- Sold by Simply Stats LLC (NC)
- Secure Stripe checkout (Apple Pay/Google Pay)
- Instant PDF download
- PDF + CSV of every table
Refund terms: Terms. · How we compute every number
Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Harnett County's population change (+12.3%) was ahead of 6 of its 7 neighbouring counties and behind 1 (Johnston County).
4 of its 7 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Harnett County's $71,287 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harnett County, NC This county | 150,137 | +12.3% | 18.5 | 14.7 | $71,287 |
| Cumberland County, NC | 338,473 | +0.4% | −6.3 | 4.6 | $61,291 |
| Lee County, NC | 70,258 | +10.8% | 12.9 | 9.6 | $65,387 |
| Wake County, NC | 1,257,235 | +11.2% | 10.2 | 11.0 | $105,768 |
| Johnston County, NC | 256,448 | +17.9% | 21.2 | 11.7 | $83,384 |
| Chatham County, NC | 85,111 | +11.0% | 13.9 | 6.1 | $94,317 |
| Moore County, NC | 110,619 | +10.3% | 19.9 | 9.7 | $86,080 |
| Sampson County, NC | 61,504 | +4.1% | 1.1 | 1.9 | $52,432 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Harnett County?
About 150,137 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Harnett County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 12.3% between 2020 and 2025, about 16,421 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 14th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Harnett County?
On net, about 2,783 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Harnett County?
Employers there reported 29,633 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +17.2% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $953 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Harnett County?
It averaged 4.0% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Harnett County?
Building permits authorized 2,205 new housing units in 2025, 14.7 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Harnett County?
$71,287 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Harnett County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 8th of 100 for population growth; 9th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 25th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 22nd of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 125th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
See Harnett County tract by tract
Beacon CRE maps growth, permits, workforce, flood risk, opportunity zones, listings and recent sales for every county and census tract in the Carolinas, with grades that explain themselves.
Card required, cancel anytime before the trial ends. Prefer an invoice? Request a pilot.
Get the Carolinas CRE Growth Brief
One email a month: the NC and SC counties gaining people, jobs and new homes fastest, with the numbers behind them. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.