Small river city in North Carolina’s southern coastal plains
Named after the blackwater Lumber River that flows through its heart, Lumberton is trying to capitalize on the natural asset linked to the city’s beginnings. “Back in the day, they’d use the river to transport lumber,” says Sarah Beth Ward, Lumberton’s Downtown Development Coordinator, who says the river is at the center of a redevelopment plan for the city center. “We’re one of the few North Carolina cities that has a river running through its downtown.”
The city is a popular pitstop for road travelers as it’s right along Interstate 95. “It’s a great location because of how close we are to the major cities,” says Ward, who describes the community as humble and diverse. “A lot of people that live here are in retirement age, and they all have family spread out across the state.” With UNC Health Southeastern in town, healthcare is the city’s top industry.
Lumberton got its start in the late 1700s as a shipping point for lumber being guided down the river to Georgetown, SC.
This was this site of the original landing on the Lumber River when Lumberton got its start over 200 years ago.
I-95 runs north-south through Lumberton and I-74 passes the city on its south side for easy east-west travel.
Robeson County is served by a single hospital, UNC Health Southeastern, based in Lumberton.
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Low home prices and hurricane recovery
The median price for a single-family home in Lumberton is $215,000, roughly half the national median. Chelsea Biggs, a Century 21 Real Estate broker and manager of Biggs Park Mall, says the housing market in Lumberton is not as competitive as Raleigh or along the Carolina coast. “When a home does come up on the north side of Lumberton, it can be competitive. Otherwise, it’s pretty easy to get a house here.” Homes primarily rest on dense tree-shaded blocks, but lots are more spacious in the city’s northern end. Architectural styles include Victorian, Colonial Revival and ranch-style homes.
Hurricanes are a reality of living in North Carolina. In 2016 and 2018, Hurricanes Matthew and Florence caused devastating damage in Lumberton when the Lumber River swelled to record levels. Florence ravaged the southern and western parts of the city, leading to an exodus. It’s one of the reasons why Lumberton’s population has been declining. The city of roughly 19,000 has since invested in storm response and preparedness, including constructing a 13-foot berm to protect the water treatment plant that flooded after Matthew.
Midcentury style homes are popular options in neighborhoods on the north side of Lumberton.
Downtown Lumberton holds a variety of older styled homes like this 2-story colonial.
Smaller ranch homes in Lumberton can be found on the south side of town.
A 13 foot dike runs to the north of the water treatment plant in Lumberton as a result of terrible flooding from recent hurricanes - it serves double duty as a greenway trail.
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Restoring the Lumberton Commercial Historic District
National retailers fill shopping centers lining Interstate 95 and Fayetteville Road. Biggs Park Mall offers around 30 name-brand stores. Several museums and the Robeson County Courthouse anchor Downtown Lumberton. This laid-back city center featuring thrift and bookstores, a candy café and local restaurants serving international and American cuisine is being revitalized. “Downtown Lumberton is currently going through it,” Ward says. “We still have a lot of dilapidated buildings, but we also have the most original buildings in the state. It’s all about perspective.” Ward adds that a façade grant program is restoring historic storefronts.
Shoppers can find what they're looking for at Biggs Park Mall in Lumberton.
The Robeson County Courthouse in Lumberton was originally constructed in 1908.
The Potato Barn in Downtown Lumberton sits across from the courthouse on Elm Street.
Lumberton saw a drastic decline in population during the past 10 years, but is starting to experience a resurgence.
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Lumberton’s creative spirit, The Rumba on the Lumber
The city’s art scene brings vibrancy to the downtown area. It serves as the home base for the Robeson County Arts Council, which has a gallery and organizes workshops and art-focused events like the River Voices Concert Series. The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater draws local talent from around the region to perform in productions, such as the annual Robeson County Christmas Show. When construction is complete in the summer of 2025, this Italian Renaissance-style building from the 1920s will feature a new annex.
The city’s biggest annual event is The Rumba on the Lumber, a family-friendly weekend festival celebrating the best of Lumberton’s food, crafts, and music each March. Along with a chili cook-off, shopping at vendors and romping around a kid’s zone, the event’s big draw is the UNC Health 5K/10K races, organized by the Robeson Road Runners. “We are a runner-friendly community. They have runs downtown all the time,” Ward says.
Creativity is encouraged for those who live in Lumberton.
Lumberton has a population of around 20,000 people and is the county seat of Robeson County.
Located in the heart of historic downtown Lumberton, the Carolina Civic Center facility opened its doors for the first time on June 18, 1928 as a vaudeville and silent film house.
The River Walk in Lumberton is a paved pedestrian/bicycle trail with scenic views of the Lumber River that starts at Luther Britt Park.
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Recreation along the Lumber River, plans for the Lumberton Loop
The Lumber River divides the city into northern and southern halves and offers a variety of recreation, from fishing for catfish and bass to canoeing and kayaking. James L. Stephens Memorial Park is often used to access the water, while The Riverwalk provides a paved path paralleling the densely forested banks. Lumber River State Park’s Princess Ann Access has camping and hiking trails roughly 20 miles south of the city.
Large community green spaces and pocket parks can be found throughout Lumberton. Several activity centers have programming for all ages. A new accessible playground is now open at Dr. Raymond B. Pennington Athletic Complex, and the Lumberton Loop, an 8-mile trail around the city, is in the planning stages.
James L. Stephens Memorial Park is a good place to access the Lumber River from downtown Lumberton.
The Lumber River offers excellent boating, fishing and outdoor fun at the Lumber River State Park near Lumberton.
Luther Britt Park is a 142-acre park in Lumberton with trails around 2 lakes, plus playground equipment & picnic facilities.
The Dr Raymond B Pennington Athletic Complex in Lumberton has a brand new All Inclusive playground.
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Public Schools of Robeson County and a community college in town
Public Schools of Robeson County serves Lumberton and receives a C-plus overall rating from Niche. The district has more than 21,000 students across 40 schools. PSRC Early College High School at Robeson Community College earns an A rating. Students can graduate with a diploma and an associate’s degree. RCC is a two-year community college on the city’s north side with less than 2,000 students.
Robeson Community College is a public institution in Lumberton, North Carolina with an enrollment of over 1,800 students.
Public Schools of Robeson County with offices in Lumberton serves over 21,000 students at 40 schools.
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Quick access to Interstate 95
Interstate 95, a major north-south route along the East Coast, hugs the city as it heads into South Carolina. The border is about 20 miles away. I-95 heads north to Fayetteville, which hosts the Fort Bragg military installation. U.S. Route 74 heads roughly 80 miles east to the port city of Wilmington, home to Wilmington International Airport. Lumberton Regional Airport is for general aviation and does not offer commercial flights. While there’s no city bus service, Lumberton does have a Greyhound Bus Station.
Violent and property crime rates increase in Robeson County
Crime statistics specific to Lumberton are not readily available. However, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Crime In North Carolina 2023 report, crime is increasing in Robeson County. Data shows that the violent crime rate increased by nearly 9% from 2022 to 2023, while the property crime rate rose by less than 2%.
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DeeVa Payne
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Lawrence Hiatt
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On average, homes in Lumberton, NC sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Lumberton, NC over the last 12 months is $211,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Tucked in the heart of Tanglewood, 406 W 34th Street is full of charm and space in all the right places. This updated home offers 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and over 2,600 sq. ft. to make your own. Downstairs features a cozy family room, a formal living room, and a separate dining room that’s perfect for hosting. The kitchen is spacious and ready for everyday meals or holiday prep. All bedrooms are
If you are looking for space inside and outside of your home, spend some time checking into this house! Situated on over an acre of cleared land, the outdoor opportunities are endless. In addition to the outdoor space, you can enjoy more intimate moments in the privacy of your fenced-in patio area. Inside the home, enjoy a large living room with enough space to handle your dreams and to
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