The county seat is Lumberton, the largest city with roughly 19,000 residents. It serves as the main commercial and government hub.
Other key towns include:

• Fairmont – about 2,300 residents
• Maxton – around 2,000 people
• Red Springs – approximately 3,100 residents
• St. Pauls – about 2,200
• Rowland – roughly 1,000
• Pembroke – around 2,800 (home to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke)

Smaller communities include Prospect, Raemon, and several unincorporated areas.

The total population of Robeson County is approximately 116,000. It is one of the most diverse counties in North Carolina, with a large Native American (Lumbee) population, along with significant Black, White, and Hispanic communities. Most people live in and around the small towns scattered across the rural landscape, with agriculture, manufacturing, and timber still playing important roles. It remains a predominantly rural county with a strong small-town feel.