Harnett County Demographics

A map of Harnett County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	81,041	77,876	58.2%	58.3%
Black	27,559	26,769	19.8%	20.0%
Hispanic	21,043	18,899	15.1%	14.1%
Multiracial	6,466	6,689	4.6%	5.0%
Native American/Other	1,808	1,927	1.3%	1.4%
Asian	1,233	1,408	0.9%	1.1%

Harnett County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 139,150, an increase from the 133,568 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 58.2% White, 19.8% Black, 15.1% Hispanic, 4.6% Multiracial, 1.3% Native American/Other, and 0.9% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Harnett County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Harnett is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Harnett County, that probability was 59.7% in 2020 and 59.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Harnett County is ranked the 23rd most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Harnett County was ranked the 23rd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Harnett County's White Population

81,041 residents of Harnett County, or 58.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Harnett County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Harnett County ranks 67th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harnett County's White population has grown by an estimated 4.1%. White residents' share of Harnett County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 58.2%.

Harnett County is more White than neighboring Lee County (55.8% White), Cumberland County (39.8% White), Wake County (56.2% White), and Hoke County (36% White). Harnett County is less White than neighboring Chatham County (69.5% White).

Harnett County's Black Population

27,559 residents of Harnett County, or 19.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Harnett County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Harnett County ranks 43rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harnett County's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.0%. Black residents' share of Harnett County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 19.8%.

Harnett County is more Black than neighboring Lee County (17.2% Black), Wake County (18.5% Black), and Chatham County (10% Black). Harnett County is less Black than neighboring Cumberland County (36.7% Black), and Hoke County (32.1% Black).

Harnett County's Asian Population

1,233 residents of Harnett County, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Harnett County is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Harnett County ranks 36th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harnett County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 12.4%. Asian residents' share of Harnett County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Harnett County is less Asian than neighboring Cumberland County (2.6% Asian), Wake County (8.5% Asian), Hoke County (1.5% Asian), and Chatham County (2.2% Asian).

Harnett County's Hispanic Population

21,043 residents of Harnett County, or 15.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Harnett County is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Harnett County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harnett County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Harnett County's population has increased from 14.1% to 15.1%.

Harnett County is more Hispanic than neighboring Cumberland County (12.7% Hispanic), Wake County (11.6% Hispanic), and Chatham County (13.6% Hispanic). Harnett County is less Hispanic than neighboring Lee County (21.7% Hispanic), and Hoke County (15.6% Hispanic).

Harnett County's Native American/Other Population

1,808 residents of Harnett County, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Harnett County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Harnett County ranks 15th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harnett County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 6.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Harnett County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Harnett County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lee County (0.1% Native American/Other), Wake County (0.8% Native American/Other), and Chatham County (1% Native American/Other). Harnett County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Cumberland County (2.2% Native American/Other), and Hoke County (7.6% Native American/Other).

Harnett County's Multiracial Population

6,466 residents of Harnett County, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Harnett County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Harnett County ranks 8th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harnett County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Harnett County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.6%.

Harnett County is more Multiracial than neighboring Lee County (4.3% Multiracial), Wake County (4.4% Multiracial), and Chatham County (3.8% Multiracial). Harnett County is less Multiracial than neighboring Cumberland County (5.9% Multiracial), and Hoke County (7.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.