Pembroke is a small, rural college town
Pembroke is a Robeson County town with rustic charm and a modest downtown. "It's a quiet, rural area," says Marty Lanier, a real estate broker with Rock Creek Land Company, who has over 16 years of experience. "It's a small-town demographic with the exception of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke." A few parks are dotted around town, and North Carolina Highway 711 is lined with shopping and dining, including barbecue joints, fast-food restaurants and small businesses. The median housing price is lower here than in Lumberton, but the market is limited. Roughly 70% of residents are renters, partially due to the town's student population. "It's a quiet little town," Lanier says. "Not a lot of traffic, not a lot of people."
Ranch-style homes and wooded lots
Homes rarely come on the market, but mid- to late 20th-century ranch-style homes are common, with features like covered porches, patios and carports. These single-family homes are generally set along narrow residential streets lined with lawns dotted by mature pine trees. There are larger lots also available on the outskirts of town. "Some buyers are building homes, and some are just farming or hunting," Lanier says. The median sale price in Pembroke is about $230,000, much lower than the national median of almost $423,000.
UNC Pembroke and the Lumbee Tribe
UNC Pembroke enrolls about 7,500 students annually, with top areas of study including interdisciplinary studies, business administration and criminal justice. Niche gives the university a B. "I think a lot of the students there are locals," Lanier says. Founded in 1887 as the Croatan Normal School to teach Native American educators, the university maintains close ties to the Lumbee Tribe through Native American studies programs, the Museum of the Southeast American Indian and cultural partnerships. The campus hosts events during the annual Lumbee Homecoming each summer, including art exhibitions and lectures. Other homecoming traditions include the Miss Lumbee Pageant, the Lumbee Homecoming Golf Tournament and the Lumbee Games, which include swimming, wrestling and pickleball.
Public parks, recreation leagues and UNCP football games
The Pembroke Recreation Complex is the town's most popular green space, offering a splash pad, a gym and athletic fields. Residents can also take tennis lessons at the complex and join sports leagues for all ages through the parks and recreation department. Milton R. Hunt Memorial Park is another green space, featuring picnic tables within walking distance of restaurants along Highway 711. Rivers and streams flow through the Pembroke area, but Lowry's Fishing Farm is the go-to fishing spot for bass, crappie and catfish. UNC Pembroke students have access to the college's recreation facilities, including tennis courts, an aquatic center and a disc golf course. Football fans dress in black and gold on game days to watch the UNC Pembroke Braves play at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.
Ordering local barbecue and dining at regional favorites
Highway 711 is lined with shops and restaurants. There are many fast-food eateries, including regional favorites like Bojangles and Cook Out, as well as a few locally owned spots. For nearly 50 years, Fuller's BBQ has been a highlight for its no-frills, slow-cooked meats, buffets and specialty plates of quail and seafood. Mikoto Express is popular for its Japanese menu, and Melecio’s serves Mexican cuisine, including birria tacos, corn in a cup and craft margaritas. There's a Food Lion and Piggly Wiggly for groceries, while Locklear Farms has fresh flowers and seasonal produce. Specialty shops in the area include Amy's Vintage Vibes for secondhand treasures, Swag City for streetwear and Monika's Beyond The Garden, a florist.
Career and technical education at Purnell Swett High
Pembroke is part of the Public Schools of Robeson County, which serves over 21,000 students and receives a C-plus overall from Niche. Kids may attend the town's C-minus-rated Pembroke Elementary before moving to the C-rated Pembroke Middle. At the C-rated Purnell Swett High, teens can explore their interests in career and technical education courses like computer science, agriculture and business.
Highway 711 leads to Lumberton and I-95 goes to Fayetteville
Residents generally drive to get around, but downtown has sidewalks that extend past businesses and restaurants. UNC Pembroke students may also ride the Braves Shuttle around town. Highway 711 passes through Pembroke, leading to 12 miles to Lumberton, a 25-miute drive. Commuters connect onto Interstate 95 on the 40-mile drive to the Fayetteville Regional Airport and 55-mile drive to downtown Fayetteville. UNC Health Southeastern is 13 miles away.
Tropical Storm Chantal in 2025
Pembroke is generally not at risk of heavy flooding, but Tropical Storm Chantal affected the town in 2025, closing roads due to flooding. "Robeson County got hit hard," Lanier says. Flood insurance isn't required here, but homebuyers should talk to their insurance agent to know their options.
