Fayetteville Economy Overview

Fayetteville’s economy is best understood as a layered system. Fort Liberty anchors everything, but the region has deliberately grown strong pillars in healthcare, education, logistics, manufacturing, and tourism to reduce its reliance on federal spending.

This guide summarizes the major sectors, recent growth, and what it means for job seekers, investors, and relocating families.

Defense: "Pentagon South" and Fort Liberty

Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg) remains the single largest economic engine in the region.

• Tens of thousands of active duty soldiers and civilian employees
• Headquarters for XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, and U.S. Army Special Operations units
• Thousands of contractors supporting training, intelligence, logistics, and technology

The installation’s payroll and procurement ripple through every part of Cumberland County, sustaining housing demand, retail sales, and a steady flow of defense related professional jobs.

For employers, the base creates a deep pool of disciplined, highly trained talent. Each year, thousands of service members transition to civilian life through the Fort Liberty portal, bringing leadership, logistics, healthcare, IT, and security skills to the local labor market.

Healthcare: Regional medical hub

Cape Fear Valley Health System functions as the second pillar of the economy.

• Cape Fear Valley Medical Center serves as a regional referral hospital and Level II trauma center
• Multiple community hospitals and outpatient clinics extend the system across several neighboring counties
• Specializations include cardiac care, neuroscience, stroke treatment, and emergency medicine

Combined, the health system and associated private practices employ thousands of physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. As the population ages and the region continues to attract retirees and military families, healthcare is likely to remain a growth sector.

Education and public sector

Public institutions provide both jobs and long term economic mobility.

• Cumberland County Schools is one of the region’s largest employers and an important factor in relocation decisions
• Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) serves as a workforce engine, training residents and transitioning soldiers for careers in healthcare, manufacturing, IT, and public safety
• Fayetteville State University and Methodist University contribute teaching, research, and cultural activity

These institutions attract state and federal funding and create a pipeline of credentialed workers for local employers.

Manufacturing and logistics

While service sectors have grown, manufacturing still plays a notable role.

• Legacy employers include tire and rubber production, food processing, and light industrial fabrication
• Newer projects in advanced materials and aerospace components signal a shift toward higher value manufacturing

Fayetteville’s position on the I 95 corridor, proximity to the Port of Wilmington, and access to rail lines makes it attractive for companies that need to move goods quickly up and down the East Coast.

Tourism and visitor economy

Tourism has emerged as a significant and fast growing contributor.

• Hundreds of millions of dollars in annual visitor spending across hotels, restaurants, attractions, and retail
• Support for several thousand jobs in hospitality and services
• Strong performance in group travel, including military reunions, sports tournaments, and conferences

The "DistiNCtly Fayetteville" brand and the city’s identity as America’s first military sanctuary community give it a unique niche: heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, and "bleisure" trips tied to Fort Liberty.

Incentives, cost structure, and business climate

Fayetteville benefits from a cost profile and incentive structure that appeals to employers looking beyond larger metros.

• North Carolina designates Cumberland County as a high priority development area, unlocking state incentive programs for job creation
• Local governments can layer on grants, infrastructure support, and site assistance for qualifying projects
• Wages and real estate costs are generally lower than in the Triangle or Charlotte, giving companies more room to grow

For small businesses, this translates into lower overhead and access to a diverse, military influenced customer base.

Workforce patterns and opportunities

The local workforce is defined by:

• A large share of current and former service members with leadership, logistics, and technical skills
• A growing healthcare workforce anchored by hospitals and clinics
• Service and hospitality workers supporting tourism, retail, and food and beverage businesses

Promising areas for job seekers include:

• Healthcare and behavioral health
• Skilled trades and construction
• Logistics and supply chain roles
• IT and cybersecurity tied to defense contracts
• Education, training, and social services

What this means for you

• Job seekers: Focus on defense adjacent fields, healthcare, logistics, and education. Use our top employers and job search guides to target openings.
• Entrepreneurs: Look for gaps that serve military families, veterans, and the growing tourism market. Service businesses, specialty retail, and professional services can all thrive here.
• Relocating families: The diversified economy, regional medical hub, and steady defense payroll create a more stable foundation than a pure base town.

Fayetteville’s economy will always be shaped by Fort Liberty, but it has matured into a multi sector metro where defense, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and tourism all contribute meaningful layers of opportunity.