Cumberland County

Cumberland County, North Carolina — key demographics (latest available)

• Population: ~336,000 (2023 estimate)
• Age:
  • Median age: ~32
  • Under 18: ~24–25%
  • 65 and over: ~12–13%
• Gender: ~51% female, ~49% male
• Race/ethnicity (mutually exclusive shares):
  • Non-Hispanic White: ~38%
  • Non-Hispanic Black: ~39%
  • Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~13%
  • Asian: ~3%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: ~1.5–2%
  • Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: ~0.5%
  • Two or more races (non-Hispanic): ~6%
• Households:
  • Total households: ~126,000
  • Average household size: ~2.55
  • Households with children under 18: ~34–36%
  • Tenure: ~51% owner-occupied, ~49% renter-occupied
  • Median household income: ~$54–55K
  • Persons in poverty: ~17–18%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Population Estimates Program, 2023; American Community Survey 2018–2022 5-year). Figures rounded for clarity.

Email usage in Cumberland County, NC (estimates)

• Users: 240,000–270,000 residents use email regularly. Derived from a county population near 335,000, with ~90–95% of adults and a portion of teens using email.
• Age mix of email users: 13–17 (4–6%), 18–34 (35–40%), 35–54 (33–36%), 55–64 (12–14%), 65+ (9–12%). Skews younger than average due to Fort Liberty’s presence.
• Gender split: Approximately even (each 49–51%).
• Digital access trends: Most households subscribe to internet service (commonly mid–high 80% range). Urban Fayetteville has widespread cable/fiber and strong 5G; smartphone‑only access is meaningful (about 15–20%), especially among lower‑income users. Public libraries, schools, and military facilities provide free Wi‑Fi and device access. The federal Affordable Connectivity Program is paused; Lifeline continues.
• Local density/connectivity: Highest density and fastest speeds (100+ Mbps common) in Fayetteville and the Fort Liberty corridor; more gaps and lower speeds in outlying areas such as Stedman, Linden, and Godwin. Primary fixed ISPs include Spectrum (cable) and AT&T plus ongoing fiber builds by newer entrants; all national carriers offer 5G in town.

Notes: Figures are rounded, synthesized from national adoption patterns applied to local population and typical North Carolina broadband adoption levels.

Summary: Mobile phone usage in Cumberland County, NC is slightly higher and more mobile‑reliant than the North Carolina average, driven by a younger, military‑heavy population and an urban core (Fayetteville/Hope Mills) with strong 5G coverage and expanding fiber backhaul. The county shows above‑average smartphone adoption, a higher share of mobile‑only internet access, and strong uptake of fixed wireless access (FWA), with network investments clustered around Fort Liberty and major corridors.

User estimates (best‑available approximations)

• Population and base: About 335,000–340,000 residents; roughly 125,000–130,000 households. Adults (18+) are about 250,000–260,000.
• Smartphone users: Approximately 225,000–240,000 adults use smartphones (about 90–93% adult adoption), modestly above the statewide rate.
• Households with cellular data plans: Roughly 100,000–110,000 households have a cellular data plan (about 78–84% of households), a few points above North Carolina overall.
• Mobile‑only internet reliance: Around 20–26% of adults are “smartphone‑only” for home internet (no fixed broadband), higher than the state average, reflecting more renters, lower median income, and a large 18–34 population.
• Wireless‑only voice: A larger‑than‑average share of households are mobile‑only for voice (no landline), consistent with national trends in younger and military communities.

Demographic factors shaping usage (how Cumberland differs from statewide)

• Age structure: Median age in the low 30s—well below the NC median. Younger adults are heavier mobile data users, adopt 5G faster, and are more likely to be smartphone‑only for internet.
• Military presence: Fort Liberty (on‑/off‑base residents, active‑duty, dependents, and veterans) increases demand for:
  • Nationwide coverage and robust 5G around the installation
  • Unlimited plans and hotspot use
  • FirstNet/public‑safety coverage and in‑building systems
  • Prepaid/MVNO and short‑term plans (higher churn due to frequent moves/deployments)
• Race/ethnicity and income: Cumberland has a higher share of Black and Hispanic residents than the NC average and a lower median household income; both correlate with higher smartphone reliance and higher participation in subsidy programs when available (e.g., ACP before its wind‑down). This contributes to above‑average mobile‑only internet use.
• Housing: More renters and more frequent household turnover than the state, reinforcing mobile‑first behavior and openness to FWA over long‑term fixed contracts.

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• 5G footprint:
  • T‑Mobile mid‑band (2.5 GHz) broadly covers the Fayetteville metro, supporting strong smartphone and FWA performance.
  • AT&T and Verizon C‑band 5G (Ultra Wideband/5G+) serve core corridors (I‑95, US‑401/NC‑87, commercial districts), with ongoing infill. FirstNet coverage is a priority for public safety.
  • Result: County residents see earlier and denser mid‑band 5G than many NC rural counties, narrowing the urban/rural performance gap locally relative to statewide patterns.
• Backhaul and fiber:
  • Spectrum (cable) is ubiquitous; Metronet has been building fiber in Fayetteville/Hope Mills since 2022–2024, improving backhaul for 5G and offering new home fiber options.
  • Limited but growing AT&T Fiber pockets; municipal utility (PWC) has a substantial fiber backbone supporting smart‑grid and community connectivity.
• Fixed Wireless Access (home internet over 5G):
  • Adoption is notably strong in zip codes with limited fiber competition or high renter density, putting Cumberland above the NC average for FWA take‑up.
• Tower density and in‑building:
  • Dense macro‑site grid along I‑95, NC‑87, and major retail/medical zones; targeted small‑cell/DAS deployments in high‑traffic and mission‑critical buildings. Indoor performance is generally good in newer venues, with older concrete structures sometimes requiring boosters/DAS—particularly around the installation and hospitals.
• Public/anchor connectivity:
  • University (FSU), community college (FTCC), schools, libraries, and city facilities provide robust Wi‑Fi and anchor‑institution backbones, but mobile data remains the primary access mode for many households.

Trends that differ from the North Carolina average

• Higher smartphone adoption and cellular‑plan penetration, due to younger demographics and military presence.
• More mobile‑only internet households; higher reliance on smartphones for essential services, schooling, and work.
• Faster and denser mid‑band 5G rollout in the metro core; earlier FWA viability and uptake.
• Greater emphasis on FirstNet/public‑safety coverage and on‑base/in‑building solutions than in most NC counties.
• Slightly higher prepaid/MVNO usage and customer churn tied to renter/military mobility.
• Digital divide is shaped less by terrain and more by income and housing transience; rural edge pockets remain but are a smaller share of the county than in many NC peers.

Notes on methods and uncertainty

• Estimates synthesize ACS/NTIA device and subscription indicators, statewide adoption benchmarks, carrier deployment patterns, and Cumberland’s demographic profile. Exact, current county‑level mobile metrics are not published uniformly; figures above are ranges intended for planning and comparison.

Here’s a concise, data‑informed snapshot of social media usage in Cumberland County, NC (Fayetteville/Fort Liberty area). Figures are estimates based on 2023–2024 Pew Research U.S. platform usage and ACS county demographics, adjusted for the county’s younger, military‑heavy population.

Headline user stats

• Population: ~334,000 residents; adult (18+) ~250,000.
• Broadband/smartphone access: high (roughly 85–90% of households have broadband; smartphone ownership near national norms).
• Estimated social media users: ~190,000–210,000 residents use at least one platform monthly (≈170k–190k adults plus ≈18k–22k teens 13–17).

Age mix of social users (share of the local user base)

• 13–17: 8–10%
• 18–24: 17–20%
• 25–34: 23–27% [largest block; military and young families]
• 35–44: 15–17%
• 45–54: 11–13%
• 55–64: 9–11%
• 65+: 7–9%

Gender breakdown

• Overall users: roughly 49–51% female, 49–51% male (county skews slightly male due to Fort Liberty).
• Skews by platform: Facebook/Instagram/TikTok lean slightly female; YouTube/Reddit/X lean male; Snapchat near-balanced; LinkedIn near-even.

Most‑used platforms (local adult reach, monthly; overlapping usage)

• YouTube: 80–85%
• Facebook: 63–70% (70–80% among 35+)
• Facebook Messenger: 55–65%
• Instagram: 45–50% (65–75% among 18–34)
• TikTok: 33–40% (50–60% among 18–24)
• Snapchat: 22–28% (55–70% among 18–24)
• WhatsApp: 18–24% (higher among Hispanic/multinational families)
• X (Twitter): 18–22%
• LinkedIn: 22–27% (28–35% among 25–44, boosted by military transition/job seeking)
• Reddit: 17–22%
• Nextdoor: 12–18% of adults (stronger in suburban neighborhoods)

Behavioral trends to know

• Facebook is the community backbone: high engagement in local groups (buy/sell/PCS, spouse groups, neighborhood watch, school updates, events). Marketplace is heavily used, with spikes during PCS/moving seasons.
• Video‑first consumption: TikTok and Instagram Reels drive discovery for local food, beauty/barber, gyms, auto, and things‑to‑do. Short, authentic, vertical video outperforms.
• Younger cohorts live on Snapchat/IG: daily messaging, Stories, and campus/base geofilters; fast response to trends and local events.
• Information seeking is hyper‑local: weather alerts, traffic (All American Expy/Bragg Blvd), school closings, crime updates. High trust in official pages (city/county, CCS, sheriff, base PAO) and established local news.
• Messaging moves transactions: DMs (Messenger/WhatsApp/IG) are common for appointments, rentals, and Marketplace deals; quick replies matter.
• Timing: peaks before work (6–8 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.), and evenings (7–10 p.m.); noticeable late‑night activity from shift workers.
• Content that resonates: family life and childcare, housing/furniture, pets, fitness/outdoors (Cape Fear River Trail, lake trips), base life, discounts for military/first responders, and practical how‑tos.
• Seasonality: spring–summer PCS cycles amplify buy/sell, housing searches, and “looking for recommendations” posts; event calendars boost weekend engagement.

Note: Exact platform percentages aren’t published at the county level; figures above are best‑fit estimates using national usage rates adjusted to Cumberland County’s age and military profile.