North Carolina’s Border Belt counties continue to be among the most economically challenged in the state.
The latest N.C. Department of Commerce numbers show that Bladen, Columbus, Robeson, and Scotland counties rank among the most challenged in four key economic development indicators: per-capita property tax base, population growth, household income, and unemployment rates.
State law requires the commerce department to annually develop a ranking of the state’s counties to help guide economic development policies, incentives, and recruitment. As they have in recent years, the Border Belt counties rank in the bottom quarter in nearly every measure.
Scotland County is ranked the fourth most distressed county in 2026, after landing at the bottom the prior year. Robeson County moved from the second to the seventh most-distressed ranking. Columbus County went from 11th to 10th, and Bladen County moved up from 14th to 15th.
Robeson County has the lowest median household income in the state at $42,180, data show. . The county also has the lowest per-capita property tax base—$72,044. Revenue from property taxes helps counties pay for services, including education, public safety, and parks and recreation.
Here’s a look at how Border Belt counties compared to each other and statewide averages.
