Community Snapshot • Cultural Heart of the Lumbee Nation
Location: Southeastern North Carolina, Robeson County
Size: 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²) - all land
Proximity: 90 miles inland from Atlantic Coast, along the Lumber River
Access: 7 miles east of Highway 74/I-95 intersection, 2 hours from Charlotte/Raleigh
Tribal Seat: Headquarters of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina - largest state-recognized tribe east of the Mississippi River with 55,000+ members
Cultural Identity: "People of the Dark Water" - multi-tribal origins including Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan language families
Annual Celebrations: Lumbee Homecoming draws 20,000+ visitors each July for parade, powwow, and cultural events
Historic Recognition: State-recognized since 1885; known for 1958 "Battle of Hayes Pond" confronting KKK
Primary Industries: Education (UNC Pembroke), healthcare, retail trade, manufacturing
Major Employers: University of North Carolina at Pembroke (7,667 students), tribal services, local healthcare
Employment: 75.5% white-collar workers, 24.5% blue-collar workers
Entrepreneurship: Known for Lumbee entrepreneurial spirit and focus on education
Home to UNC Pembroke - one of the safest and most diverse campuses in the nation with 18:1 student-faculty ratio
Strong tribal governance and cultural preservation with comprehensive social services through Lumbee Tribe
Midpoint between Boston and Miami on I-95 corridor with access to major metros and coastal areas
Health Disparities & Poverty: 43.7% of residents live in poverty (vs. 24% state average). Robeson County ranks last (100th) among NC counties in health outcomes with 30% of residents reporting poor/fair health - twice the state rate and triple the national average.
Healthcare Access: 25% uninsured (vs. 18% state average); 22.5% lack reliable transportation to specialist appointments 3+ hours away
Life Expectancy: 73 years in Robeson County vs. 81 years in Wake County - 8-year disparity
Social Determinants: 47% of children in poverty, high rates of social insecurity, limited access to specialty care
HRSA Definition: Pembroke qualifies as rural under HRSA Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes due to low population density (1,229 people per square mile) and distance from major urban centers.
Rural Characteristics: Small town setting in Coastal Plain region, agricultural heritage, limited public transportation, and geographic isolation from specialized services.