Sampson County

Sampson County is located in southeastern North Carolina within the state’s Coastal Plain, positioned between the Raleigh area to the northwest and the Wilmington region to the southeast. Established in 1784 from part of Duplin County and named for patriot John Sampson, it developed as an agricultural county shaped by riverine lowlands and broad, gently rolling farmland. Sampson County is mid-sized in population for North Carolina, with roughly 60,000 residents, and is predominantly rural, with small towns and dispersed communities. The landscape includes cropland, pine forests, and waterways such as the Black River and South River, contributing to a low-lying Coastal Plain environment. Its economy is strongly tied to agriculture and agribusiness, including row crops and livestock production, alongside related processing and services. The county seat is Clinton, which serves as the primary governmental and commercial center.

Sampson County is located in southeastern North Carolina within the broader Coastal Plain region, with Clinton as the county seat. For local government context and planning resources, visit the Sampson County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Sampson County, North Carolina, the county’s population was 63,431 (2020 Census), with a 2023 estimate of 59,510.

Age & Gender

Age and sex figures are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau through county-level tables and profiles; the most direct county summary access point is QuickFacts (Sampson County), with additional detail available via the Census Bureau’s profile tools linked from that page.

• Age distribution (selected summary measures):
  • Persons under 18 years: 22.0%
  • Persons 65 years and over: 18.9%
• Gender ratio (sex composition):
  • Female persons: 51.4%
  • Male persons: 48.6% (computed as the remainder to 100% based on the female share)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

County racial and ethnic composition is reported in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Sampson County).

• White alone: 56.7%
• Black or African American alone: 20.9%
• American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 2.7%
• Asian alone: 0.7%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.1%
• Two or more races: 5.1%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 22.6%

Household & Housing Data

Household and housing characteristics are summarized by the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Sampson County).

• Households (2019–2023): 21,311
• Owner-occupied housing unit rate (2019–2023): 65.8%
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units (2019–2023, in 2023 dollars): $150,300
• Median gross rent (2019–2023, in 2023 dollars): $818
• Housing units (2023): 26,043
• Persons per household (2019–2023): 2.64

Sampson County is a largely rural county in southeastern North Carolina, where dispersed settlement patterns can raise last‑mile network costs and reduce provider coverage density, shaping how residents access email and other online services. Direct county-level email usage rates are not generally published; broadband and device access serve as practical proxies for email adoption.

Digital access indicators (proxy for email use)

The U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) reports local estimates on household broadband subscriptions and computer ownership, which are commonly used to gauge residents’ ability to use email reliably (especially for job applications, school portals, and government services).

Age distribution and email adoption context

County age structure influences email use because older populations typically show lower adoption of some digital services and may rely more on in-person or phone communication. Age distribution can be referenced through ACS age tables and county profiles.

Gender distribution

Email access is generally driven more by connectivity and device availability than by gender; sex composition is available via ACS demographic profiles.

Connectivity and infrastructure limitations

Rural broadband constraints (coverage gaps, lower speeds) are commonly documented through FCC Broadband Maps and state planning resources such as the North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office.

Sampson County is in the Coastal Plain region of southeastern North Carolina, with a largely rural settlement pattern anchored by small towns (notably Clinton). The county’s low-to-moderate population density, extensive agricultural land use, and dispersed housing contribute to longer “last-mile” distances and greater sensitivity to tower spacing and backhaul quality than in North Carolina’s metropolitan counties. General county context (population, housing, commuting patterns) is available from Census.gov data tables and profiles.

Key distinction: network availability vs. adoption

• Network availability (coverage): Whether a mobile network signal (4G LTE or 5G) is reported as present in a given area. Availability is typically provider-reported and mapped at geographic grid or census block scales.
• Adoption (use/subscription): Whether households or individuals actually subscribe to mobile service or rely on mobile networks for internet access. Adoption is shaped by affordability, device ownership, digital skills, and service quality (including indoor coverage and congestion), not only by mapped coverage.

Mobile penetration or access indicators (county-level where available)

County-specific “mobile penetration” statistics are not commonly published as a single official metric. The most consistent county-level indicators are household subscription measures and “internet subscription type” measures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

• Household internet subscription and “cellular data plan only” reliance (adoption indicator):
  The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) reports household internet subscription categories, including households that have a cellular data plan and no other internet subscription. This provides a direct indicator of reliance on mobile connectivity for home internet access at the household level. These measures are accessible via Census.gov (ACS “Selected Housing Characteristics” and “Computer and Internet Use” tables, where available for the county and year).
• Broadband subscription vs. coverage (adoption vs. availability):
  Subscription-based indicators (ACS) should be interpreted separately from availability maps (FCC). A county can show broad reported coverage while still having meaningful adoption gaps due to affordability, limited device access, or service quality constraints.

Limitation: The ACS is the primary federal source for county-level adoption categories, but margins of error can be substantial for smaller geographies or subgroups. Carrier “subscriber counts” are generally not published at county resolution.

Mobile internet usage patterns: 4G and 5G availability (coverage)

• FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) mobile coverage:
  The FCC publishes provider-submitted mobile broadband coverage maps and related datasets. These distinguish technologies such as LTE and 5G variants and provide a standardized way to view coverage claims. County-level views are derived from underlying spatial data rather than a single “county score.”
  Source: FCC National Broadband Map (mobile coverage).
• North Carolina statewide broadband context and mapping:
  The state broadband office provides planning context, programs, and mapping that can be used alongside FCC data to understand local connectivity conditions and investment priorities.
  Source: North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office.

Typical rural-county pattern (availability vs. performance):
FCC-reported maps often show wide geographic availability of 4G LTE along primary corridors and around towns, with more variable service in sparsely populated areas. 5G availability, where present, is commonly concentrated near population centers and major roadways; however, the FCC map reflects reported coverage and does not by itself quantify indoor signal strength, congestion, or realized speeds.

Limitation: Publicly available county-specific, provider-verified metrics for realized mobile speeds by technology generation (LTE vs. 5G) are not issued as an official county dataset. Third-party speed-test aggregations exist, but they are not official measures and are sensitive to sampling bias.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

• Device-type measurement at county level:
  Federal statistical programs generally measure internet access and subscription types rather than enumerating smartphone ownership directly at the county level. County-level device-type splits (smartphone vs. basic phone vs. hotspot-only) are not consistently available from official sources.
• Practical proxy indicators (adoption context, not device inventory):
  ACS tables covering computer ownership and internet subscription can indicate households with and without traditional computing devices and households relying on cellular-only internet. These help characterize whether smartphones and mobile hotspots are likely serving as primary access methods in some households.
  Source: Census.gov ACS computer and internet use tables.

Limitation: National surveys (e.g., Pew Research) measure smartphone ownership but do not provide official county-level estimates for Sampson County in standard releases.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Sampson County

• Rural settlement and land use:
  Dispersed residences and agricultural land increase the area that must be served per tower, which can reduce redundancy of coverage and make indoor coverage more uneven compared with dense urban areas. This affects availability quality (signal strength, capacity) even where coverage is reported.
• Population density and distance to services:
  Lower density can correlate with fewer retail/service locations and less fiber backhaul density, factors that influence network capacity and upgrade pace (relevant to realized performance rather than mapped availability).
• Income, age, and education (adoption drivers):
  Household income, age structure, and educational attainment are associated with both broadband adoption and digital skills. County-level socioeconomic profiles and many relevant cross-tabulations are available through Census.gov. These variables help explain differences between reported coverage and actual subscription.
• Transportation corridors and town centers:
  Mobile availability tends to be strongest along highways and in/near municipal centers (e.g., Clinton), reflecting tower placement and demand concentration. This is an availability pattern that can be inspected directly using the FCC mobile map.
• Local planning and public information:
  Local government context (land use, infrastructure planning, emergency communications) is available from the Sampson County government website, which can complement state and federal datasets when interpreting local connectivity needs.

Interpreting the evidence for Sampson County

• Availability evidence (supply-side): FCC BDC mobile maps show where providers report LTE/5G coverage, but do not directly measure adoption or typical user experience.
• Adoption evidence (demand-side): ACS household subscription categories (including “cellular data plan only”) indicate how residents connect, but do not identify which carrier is used or the presence of 4G vs. 5G devices.
• County-level limitations: Official county-specific metrics for smartphone ownership and granular mobile usage behavior are limited; the most defensible county indicators come from ACS subscription categories and FCC coverage reporting, used together while keeping supply and demand measures separate.

Sampson County is a largely rural county in southeastern North Carolina, anchored by Clinton and shaped by agriculture (notably row crops and pork production) and small-town community institutions. Its settlement pattern and commuting ties to the I‑95 corridor and nearby metro areas influence how residents use social platforms for local news, community updates, commerce, and social connection.

User statistics (penetration/active use)

• County-specific “active social media user” penetration rates are not routinely published in public datasets at the county level. As a result, Sampson County usage is most reliably described using statewide and national benchmarks, alongside local broadband and demographic context.
• National benchmark (U.S. adults): Approximately 7 in 10 U.S. adults use social media (varies by survey year and platform definitions), based on ongoing research from the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• North Carolina context: County-level social media penetration is typically inferred from broader adoption plus access factors such as connectivity. The Pew Research Center broadband and internet fact sheet documents that internet access and broadband subscription correlate with social media use; rural areas tend to have lower broadband availability and subscription than urban areas, affecting intensity and video-centric platform use.

Age group trends

Age is the strongest and most consistent predictor of use across major platforms in U.S. survey data.

• Highest overall use: Adults 18–29 show the highest likelihood of using multiple social platforms, with 30–49 also high across several services.
• Middle use: Adults 50–64 have moderate usage; Facebook and YouTube tend to be prominent in this group.
• Lower use (but still substantial on some platforms): Adults 65+ use social media at lower rates overall, with Facebook and YouTube typically leading.
• These patterns align with Pew’s platform-by-age distributions summarized in the Pew Research Center platform fact sheet and are commonly applied as the best available proxy for county trend direction when local survey microdata are unavailable.

Gender breakdown

Public, county-specific gender splits for social media usage are generally unavailable; the most reliable reference is national survey evidence.

• Women tend to report higher usage of visually and socially oriented platforms such as Pinterest and, in many survey waves, somewhat higher Facebook use.
• Men tend to report higher usage of platforms with higher news/technology orientation in some survey measures (platform-specific differences vary over time).
• Platform-by-gender patterns are summarized in the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.

Most-used platforms (percentages)

County-level platform shares are not typically published in public datasets; the best available, reputable percentages are national platform usage rates among U.S. adults.

• YouTube and Facebook are consistently among the most-used platforms by U.S. adults.
• Instagram is widely used, particularly among younger adults.
• TikTok shows strong concentration among younger adults and has grown rapidly.
• Pinterest, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) have more distinct demographic skews.
• For current, survey-based percentages by platform (U.S. adults) and demographic breakdowns, use the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet, which provides comparable measures across major services.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Community and local-information use: In rural counties, social platforms are frequently used for community updates, local event promotion, school and sports information, and informal commerce, reflecting fewer local media outlets and longer travel distances to services. Facebook pages and groups are commonly used for this purpose nationally, and Facebook remains broadly adopted across age groups per Pew’s platform summaries.
• Video-first consumption: Short-form and long-form video (TikTok-style feeds; YouTube channels) captures significant attention time, with YouTube’s broad reach supporting “how-to,” entertainment, and news-adjacent viewing across ages. This aligns with YouTube’s consistently high adult penetration shown in Pew’s estimates.
• Messaging and private sharing: A substantial share of social interaction occurs through direct messages and private groups rather than public posting, a pattern documented across major platforms in industry research and reflected in the continued importance of Facebook (groups) and Instagram (DMs) in U.S. usage reporting.
• Platform preference by age: Younger users concentrate more engagement on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, while older adults tend to concentrate on Facebook and YouTube, consistent with Pew’s demographic breakdowns.
• Access-sensitive behavior: In areas with less robust broadband availability, engagement often skews toward lower-bandwidth activities (text, photos, compressed short video) and more mobile-first usage; Pew documents ongoing urban–rural differences in broadband access and adoption in its internet and broadband fact sheet.

Sampson County, North Carolina maintains family-related vital records through the county Register of Deeds, including certified records for births and deaths (generally for events occurring in the county). Marriage records are also recorded and issued by the Register of Deeds. Adoption records are not maintained as open public records at the county level; adoption files and amended birth records are handled under state procedures and are typically restricted.

Public-facing databases for family and associate research primarily include land and court indexes rather than comprehensive vital-record databases. Sampson County provides access to recorded real-estate instruments and related name indexes via the Register of Deeds office and its online resources: Sampson County Register of Deeds. Court filings, criminal/civil case information, and docket data are accessed through the North Carolina Judicial Branch: NC Judicial Branch.

Records are accessed in person at the Register of Deeds office for certified vital records and for research assistance with recorded instruments. Online access is available for many recorded document indexes and some document images through the county’s Register of Deeds-linked systems. Requests typically require identity verification and payment of statutory fees.

Privacy restrictions apply to certain vital records (especially recent births), adoption-related records, and some court or juvenile matters. Certified copies are issued under North Carolina eligibility rules, while informational/noncertified access may be limited by record type and age.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage licenses (and related applications/worksheets): Issued by the Sampson County Register of Deeds. North Carolina marriage records are created at the county level where the license is issued.
• Marriage certificates / recorded marriages: After the marriage is performed, the officiant returns the completed license for recording with the Register of Deeds, creating the county’s recorded marriage record.

Divorce records

• Divorce case files and judgments (divorce decrees): Maintained by the Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court as part of the civil court record.
• Divorce “certificates” (vital record index): North Carolina maintains statewide divorce indexes through NCDHHS Vital Records, but the authoritative decree and case file remain with the county court.

Annulment records

• Annulment case files and judgments: Treated as civil court matters and maintained by the Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court in the same manner as other domestic civil actions.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Sampson County Register of Deeds (marriage)

• Records filed: Marriage licenses and recorded marriages.
• Access methods: In-person requests at the Register of Deeds office; certified and uncertified copies are typically available pursuant to county procedures and state law. Many North Carolina registers of deeds also provide online search portals for index information; availability and coverage vary by county.

Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court (divorce and annulment)

• Records filed: Divorce decrees, annulment judgments, and complete case files (pleadings, orders, exhibits, and related documents).
• Access methods: In-person review of public court files at the courthouse; copies obtained through the Clerk’s office. Some docket/index information may be accessible through the North Carolina Judicial Branch systems, while full case-file access is controlled by court record rules and any sealing/redaction orders.

North Carolina state agencies (indexes and certified vital copies)

• NCDHHS Vital Records: Maintains statewide indexes and issues certified copies of certain vital records (including marriage and divorce certificates/indexed records) under state eligibility rules. The county-level marriage record and the county court decree remain the primary source documents.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage licenses / recorded marriage records

Common fields include:

• Full legal names of the parties
• Date and place of marriage (after recording)
• Date of license issuance and county of issuance
• Ages or dates of birth, and sometimes birthplaces
• Current addresses and counties/states of residence
• Names of parents (often including mother’s maiden name)
• Officiant name and authority, and date performed
• Witnesses (where applicable under the form used)

Divorce decrees and case files

Common components include:

• Names of the parties and case number
• Filing date, hearing dates, and date of judgment
• Court findings and the legal basis for the divorce
• Orders restoring a prior name (when granted)
• References to related orders (custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution), which may be entered as separate orders in the same file

Annulment judgments and files

Common components include:

• Names of the parties and case number
• Filing date and date of judgment
• Court findings establishing grounds for annulment
• Orders addressing status of the marriage, name changes, and related relief as ordered by the court

Privacy and legal restrictions

• Public records baseline: County Register of Deeds marriage records and court divorce/annulment records are generally treated as public records, subject to state law and court rules.
• Restricted/confidential information: Certain information contained within court files can be confidential by statute or court order, including:
  • Social Security numbers and other sensitive identifiers (commonly subject to redaction requirements)
  • Records involving minors and certain family law matters (some filings, reports, or exhibits may be nonpublic or redacted)
  • Documents sealed by court order
• Certified copies and identity requirements: Agencies issuing certified vital records commonly impose identity and eligibility requirements for certified copies, consistent with North Carolina vital records law and administrative rules.
• Access limitations at point of service: Register of Deeds and Clerk of Superior Court offices may limit copying or provide redacted copies to comply with confidentiality statutes, identity-theft protections, and sealing orders.

Sampson County is a largely rural county in southeastern North Carolina, part of the Clinton micropolitan area and within commuting range of the Fayetteville and Raleigh–Durham labor markets. The county’s population is roughly in the mid‑50,000s (recent ACS estimates) with a mix of small towns (notably Clinton) and dispersed agricultural communities. Land use and local employment are strongly influenced by agribusiness (especially hog and poultry production), food processing, and logistics along the I‑40 corridor.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

Public K–12 education is primarily served by Sampson County Schools. School counts and official school lists are maintained by the district and the state; the most reliable current roster is provided through the district and NC school-reporting portals such as the Sampson County Schools website and the North Carolina School Report Cards.
Note: A single, authoritative “number of public schools” figure changes over time with reorganizations; the NC School Report Cards roster is the most current source for school-by-school listings, grade spans, and performance metrics.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratio (countywide proxy): A countywide student–teacher ratio is most consistently available through the U.S. Census/ACS school enrollment and staffing tables and/or aggregated school report data. In rural southeastern NC counties, ratios typically fall in the mid‑teens to high‑teens (students per teacher); for Sampson County, the most defensible approach is to use school-by-school ratios and compute a district average from the NC School Report Cards (rather than relying on third‑party profiles that may lag).
• Graduation rate: North Carolina publishes 4‑year cohort graduation rates annually by district and high school through the NC School Report Cards. For the most recent official rate for Sampson County Schools and each high school, use the district profile within NC School Report Cards.
  Note: Graduation rates can vary materially by subgroup and by high school; districtwide values are best interpreted alongside school-level rates.

Adult educational attainment (adults 25+)

Recent American Community Survey (ACS) estimates are the standard source for county educational attainment:

• High school diploma or higher: Sampson County is below the North Carolina statewide average, consistent with many rural counties; ACS tabulations commonly show a clear majority of adults holding at least a high school credential.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: Sampson County is substantially below the statewide share, reflecting a labor market weighted toward production, transportation, and agriculture-related work.
  County-specific percentages by year are available from the U.S. Census Bureau’s data.census.gov (Educational Attainment tables for Sampson County, NC).

Notable programs (STEM, vocational, AP, career pathways)

• Career and Technical Education (CTE): As in other NC districts, Sampson County Schools operates state-aligned CTE pathways (industry credentials, work-based learning, and career clusters). CTE offerings are documented through district program pages and NC accountability reporting.
• Advanced Placement (AP) / College & Career Readiness: AP participation and performance indicators are reported on the NC School Report Cards at the high-school level (AP course taking and related college-readiness measures).
• Dual enrollment / early college options (regional proxy): Districts in southeastern NC commonly partner with community colleges for Career & College Promise (dual enrollment). Sampson County’s postsecondary partner options and dual-enrollment participation are typically documented through the district and local community college program pages.

School safety measures and counseling resources (typical district provisions)

Publicly documented safety and student-support elements generally include:

• School safety: Standard measures such as controlled visitor access, safety drills, coordination with local law enforcement/school resource officers (SROs), and district-level safety planning, as reflected in district policy postings and school handbooks.
• Counseling and student support: School counselors are typically assigned at each school, with additional support through school social workers, psychologists (often shared across schools), and referral pathways for mental-health services. Staffing ratios and student-support indicators may be indirectly reflected through state reporting and district staffing plans.
  Note: Detailed, current safety protocols are generally not fully enumerated publicly for security reasons; high-level policies are usually available via district policy manuals and school handbooks.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

• Unemployment rate: The most current annual and monthly county unemployment statistics are published by the North Carolina Department of Commerce / Labor & Economic Analysis Division and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS). Sampson County typically tracks above the statewide average but varies with economic cycles. The definitive current value is available through NC local area unemployment statistics (LAUS).

Major industries and employment sectors

Employment in Sampson County is shaped by:

• Agriculture and agribusiness: Hog and poultry production, feed, and associated services.
• Manufacturing and food processing: Processing tied to regional agricultural supply chains and light manufacturing.
• Transportation and warehousing: Proximity to I‑40 supports distribution and trucking-related activity.
• Retail trade, health care, and public administration/education: Major service-sector employers typical of county seats and rural areas.
  Sector employment shares and trends are available via ACS and state labor market summaries.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

The occupational mix commonly shows elevated shares in:

• Production occupations
• Transportation and material moving
• Office/administrative support
• Sales and related
• Management, education, and health care roles (smaller shares than metro counties)
  For official percentages by occupation group, ACS “Occupation by Industry” and “Occupation” tables on data.census.gov provide county estimates.

Commuting patterns and mean commute times

• Typical commuting pattern: A sizable portion of residents commute to jobs outside the county, including to Cumberland County (Fayetteville area), Johnston/Wake counties (Raleigh area), and other regional employment centers.
• Mean travel time to work: Rural counties in this region commonly exhibit mean commute times in the mid‑20 minutes range, with longer commutes for out‑of‑county workers. The authoritative county estimate is reported in ACS “Travel Time to Work” tables via data.census.gov.
• Mode of transportation: The dominant mode is driving alone, with relatively limited public transit and modest carpooling shares typical of rural counties.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

• Out‑commuting is significant: Sampson County functions partly as a residential base for workers employed in nearby counties. ACS “Place of Work” and commuting flow products (where available) provide the most defensible quantification. For county-to-county commuting flows, the U.S. Census Bureau’s OnTheMap (LEHD) is a standard reference where coverage permits.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

• Homeownership: Sampson County is typically majority owner‑occupied, often higher than North Carolina’s statewide average due to rural settlement patterns and lower housing costs.
• Rental share: Concentrated in Clinton and smaller town centers, with a smaller apartment inventory compared with metro areas.
  Official owner/renter shares are available in ACS housing tenure tables on data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value: Generally below the North Carolina median, reflecting a rural market with more manufactured housing and lower land costs than major metros.
• Recent trends: Like much of North Carolina, Sampson County experienced price appreciation during 2020–2022, followed by slower growth as interest rates rose. County-specific median value levels and year-over-year changes can be verified using ACS “Median Value (Owner-Occupied Housing Units)” and complementary market reports.
  For official median value estimates by year, use ACS tables at data.census.gov.
  Note: MLS-based metrics (median sale price) can differ from ACS median value due to methodology and timing.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Typically below the statewide median, with rentals concentrated in town areas and along key corridors. Official county median gross rent is available via ACS housing cost tables at data.census.gov.
  Proxy note: In rural southeastern NC counties, median gross rent commonly falls in the sub-$1,000 range, though unit quality and location drive wide variation.

Types of housing

• Single-family detached homes dominate the housing stock, especially outside Clinton and other towns.
• Manufactured homes/mobile homes represent a meaningful share in rural parts of the county.
• Apartments and small multifamily are more common in municipal areas (Clinton and smaller town centers) than in unincorporated areas.
• Rural lots and agricultural-adjacent properties are common outside town limits, with larger parcels and more distance to services.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

• Clinton and town centers: Closer proximity to schools, county services, retail, and health care; more rental options and smaller lots.
• Unincorporated/rural areas: Larger parcels, fewer sidewalks and fewer nearby amenities; longer travel times to schools, grocery, and health services. School attendance zones and bus routes shape access to campuses more than walkability.

Property tax overview (rate and typical homeowner cost)

• Tax structure: Property taxes are levied by the county and, in incorporated areas, by municipalities (city/town tax) in addition to county tax.
• Rate: The countywide tax rate (per $100 of assessed value) is set annually by Sampson County; municipalities add their own rates. The current adopted rates are published in county and town budget documents.
• Typical homeowner cost: A practical estimate uses: (assessed value × combined tax rate), plus any special districts/fees where applicable. Because assessed values and municipal rates vary, a single “typical cost” is best computed for a representative home value in the relevant taxing jurisdiction using the published rates.
  For official rates and budget documentation, use the county’s finance/tax administration publications via Sampson County’s official website.