35 / 100

Alamance County, NC

RANK #649 / 996  ·  POP 171,779  ·  NC

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%

Alamance County shows below-average economic momentum. Growth signals are flat or softening.

[01] Why Alamance County?

The Haw River, a central feature of Alamance County, North Carolina, flows through a landscape rich in both natural beauty and historical significance. Located in the north-central Piedmont region, the county is situated between the major metropolitan areas of the Triad and the Triangle. This positioning means residents experience a blend of small-town atmosphere in places like Mebane and Graham, alongside convenient access to larger cities for work or amenities. The Haw River Trail offers opportunities for hiking, paddling, and exploring former textile mill villages, connecting residents with the area's past and its natural environment.

Life in Alamance County offers a balance of community and accessibility. Many families and young professionals reside here, with public schools generally performing above average. Commute options include local Link Transit bus routes and regional PART Express services, connecting to nearby cities like Greensboro and Chapel Hill. The economy, historically rooted in textiles, has seen recent growth in industrial and logistics sectors, attracting new investments and job creation. This economic evolution provides opportunities for residents, including those who may commute or work remotely.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.8x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+1.8%

Below national median

Home Prices
+0.9%

Below national median

Climate & Terrain
-1.0

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Alamance County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
171,779
+1.53% YoY
Median Household Income
$60,866
Median Home Value
$197,700
+0.86% 12mo
Median Rent
$959
Average Annual Pay
$52,502
+3.0% YoY
Employment
67,668
+1.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3079
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.22%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$325,000
Days on Market
65
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.9
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
12.6%
Listings w/ Price Drops
27.5%
Building Permits (2024)
2,466
Single-Family Permits
1,999

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$513M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
UPS Package Sorting Hub
UPS
$316M Operating
Walmart Distribution Center Expansion
Walmart
$50M Planned
Alamance Foods Expansion
Alamance Foods, Inc.
$42M Operating
Sunlight Batteries USA Facility
Sunlight Batteries USA Inc.
$40M Operating
Quaker Creek Farm Solar
Quaker Creek Farm Solar, LLC
$35M Planned
Community Solar Portfolio (7 projects)
Cypress Creek Renewables and others
$30M Operating

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.8% 30 percentile
Population Growth +1.5% 83 percentile
Income Growth +10.5% 86 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.0% 56 percentile
Home Price Change +0.9% 43 percentile
Rent Growth +2.9% 48 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 68 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alamance County, NC a good place to move to?

Alamance County has a Boom Town Index score of 35/100, ranking #649 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $60,866, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Alamance County affordable?

The median home value in Alamance County is $197,700 with median rent at $959/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3079, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Alamance County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +1.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed +0.9% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Alamance County?

Yes — 4.22% of Alamance County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Richland County, SC 45 Norfolk County, MA 45 Hall County, NE 45 Columbia County, PA 45 Yakima County, WA 45 Mercer County, WV 45 Bonneville County, ID 45 Madison County, KY 45