Many residents in Cumberland County are uninformed about our current Tier 1 status and its significant implications. We must take action to ensure everyone is knowledgeable, and we must hold our public officials accountable for addressing this challenge.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce annually ranks the state's 100 counties based on economic well-being and assigns each a tier designation. The county distress rankings tier system is designed to encourage economic activity in less prosperous areas of the state through various state incentive programs. County tiers are calculated using four key factors: the average unemployment rate, median household income, population growth rate, and the adjusted property tax base per capita.
County tier rankings, which range from 1 to 3, are based on economic distress, with Tier 1 being the most distressed and Tier 3 the least. Tier 2 counties fall in the middle. Cumberland County is designated as a Tier 1 county, meaning it is classified as one of the most economically distressed areas in North Carolina. If you're unaware of this, you're not alone; many people find themselves in the same situation.
What may be even more surprising is that Cumberland's northern neighbor, Harnett County, is classified as Tier 2, with a median family income of $65,242 (as of 2022), compared to Cumberland's median family income of $58,013. Lee County's $63,060, and Moore County is classified as Tier 3, with a median household income of $78,057.
From 2010 to 2022, Cumberland County experienced an average annual growth rate of just 0.2%. In contrast, Harnett County, one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina, experienced an 18.6% growth, while Hoke County also saw significant growth, increasing by 17.8%. When politicians state that Fayetteville and Cumberland County are experiencing growth, it is essential to understand the context. The Fayetteville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the US Office of Management and Budget, includes Cumberland, Harnett, and Hoke counties, with Fayetteville serving as its central city. Fayetteville and Cumberland County's neighboring areas are experiencing growth, but the central city is not attracting new residents at the same rate.
While I do not believe that liberals intentionally create poor communities, it is hard to overlook the fact that specific liberal policies can have unintended adverse effects on low-income neighborhoods. Cumberland County liberals often take pride in being a "blue" Democratic-leaning County, with Democrats typically holding the majority of elected offices. However, it is apparent to any observer that the conservative neighbors of Cumberland are achieving better results for their citizens. Although poverty affects people across political party lines, liberals and conservatives have different approaches to tackling this issue.
Last year, voters in Cumberland County elected three new members to the Board of Commissioners: Henry Tyson, Pavan Patel, and Kirk deViere, who was later elected chairman. To say they hit the ground running would be an understatement. This new leadership is dedicated to improving the county's Tier 1 status. However, to seal the deal, Fayetteville voters must also choose visionary leaders this fall. It's time to look beyond party lines and focus on prosperity.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr)