Two rural counties in the Fayetteville area have seen significant population growth from 2010 to 2020, according to new data from the US Census Bureau.

The population increased 17.8% in Hoke County and 18.6% in Harnett, according to the results.

In Hoke County, the population increased by 5,130 with a new total of 52,082 people. Harnett County saw an increase of 18,890 people, bringing the population to 133,568 in 2020.

Two other rural counties near Cumberland County — Sampson and Bladen — saw their populations decline, while Moore County’s grew.

Changes in Hoke County

Hoke County’s population and racial makeup has been different since 2010, according to new census results.

The new data reveals that 40.4% of the population is white, up from 45.3% in 2010. In 2020, 32.2% of the population was black. The Hispanic or Latino population increased from 12.4% to 14.8%.

Native Americans make up 7% in the county, 1.4% are Asian, and Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders make up 0.4%.

The county is part of the Fayetteville metropolitan area and contains part of the Fort Bragg military post. Raeford is the county seat and largest town.

Related:Census shows growth in Cumberland County, Fayetteville and Hope Mills, decline in Spring Lake

Growth in Harnett County

Harnett County now ranks 23rd in the state by population. Harnett is also part of the Fayetteville metropolitan area.

In 2010, the population of Harnett County was 114,678.

Dunn, the county’s largest city, has a population of 8,446, down 4.8%, the data showed. Ten years ago, the population was 9,263.

According to the census, 61.3% of Harnett County’s population is white. This is a decrease from 2010, when white residents made up 68%. Black residents still make up about 20% and Native American residents make up 1.1%, or about 1,423 people. The Asian population has grown from 0.9% to 1.1% since 2010. Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders make up less than 1% in Harnett.

Additionally, the Hispanic/Latino population grew from 10.8% in 2010 to 14.1% in 2020. Data shows that more than 6,500 people of Hispanic or Latino descent have moved into the county.

The northern part of Fuquay-Varina is also located in Harnett County. The entire city has a population of 34,152, an increase of nearly 16,000 from 2010.

Rural data:Robeson County lost the most people in the state from 2010 to 2020, census results show

Population increase in Moore County

West of Cumberland, Moore County has seen an increase in population.

Nearly 11,480 people have moved into the county, which now has a population of 99,727.

According to the data results, 77% of the county is white, 10% is black, and 7.4% Hispanic/Latino. Native Americans make up 2.8% and 1.3% are Asian.

Some cities and towns in the county have seen population increases since 2010, according to census data. Pinehurst has a population of 17,581 and Southern Pines 15,545.

Sampson and Bladen County

Many rural counties in the state have lost population over the past decade.

Sampson County, the state’s second-largest county by land area, has declined slightly in population since 2010, according to census data. The population now stands at 59,036 compared to 63,431 in 2010.

However, the Hispanic/Latino population has increased in the county to 20% from 16% in 2010. White residents are 61%, Black residents are 20%, Native Americans and Asians are 1.1%, and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders account for less. greater than 1%.

Fewer people live in Bladen County today than in 2010. The population decreased by 5,584 people, bringing the total population to 29,606. Census data estimates this to be a change in 7%.

White residents are still the majority in the county at 54.4%. Black Americans represent 32.3%. Native Americans are 2.7% and 6.1% from other races.

The data also shows that Hispanics/Latinos make up 20.7% of the county’s population.

Bladen County is known as the “Mother of Counties” as 55 counties in the state were created from the county’s original lands.

More data from the US Census Bureau is expected to be released in September.

Regional corporate reporter Kristen Johnson can be reached at [email protected] or 910-486-3570.

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