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Guilford County, NC

RANK #535 / 996  ·  POP 539,557  ·  NC

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.6%

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

[01] Why Guilford County?

Guilford County, North Carolina, is perhaps best known for its historical significance, particularly the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, commemorating a pivotal Revolutionary War battle. Located in the state's Piedmont region, the county is home to the major cities of Greensboro and High Point, along with smaller communities like Jamestown and Summerfield. Commuting within the county is facilitated by local transit agencies and regional express bus services, with an average commute time of 22 minutes for those driving alone. The area offers diverse natural landscapes, including lakes and extensive trail systems for outdoor recreation.

Life in Guilford County offers a blend of urban amenities and a community feel, attracting families and young professionals. The public school system serves a large student population across Greensboro and High Point. The economy, historically rooted in textiles and furniture, has diversified, with recent investments in sectors such as aviation, advanced manufacturing, and technology. This economic evolution is supported by local initiatives aimed at fostering business growth and providing workforce training.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.1x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.6%

Below national median

Home Prices
+0.0%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.8

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Guilford County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
539,557
+0.46% YoY
Median Household Income
$62,880
Median Home Value
$215,700
+0.01% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,049
Average Annual Pay
$61,546
+4.1% YoY
Employment
287,996
+0.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2915
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.8%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$308,000
Days on Market
65
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.6
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
20.5%
Listings w/ Price Drops
21.0%
Building Permits (2024)
3,843
Single-Family Permits
1,440

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

[05] Capital Investment

$1,222M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Guilford County Government Complex (Greensboro & High Point)
Guilford County
$572M Planned
Greensboro Dream Center Campus
RAEDEN / ImpactData
$500M Planned
Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion)
Williams Companies (Transco)
$50M Proposed
Lumentum Advanced Manufacturing Facility
Lumentum Holdings Inc.
$50M Under Construction
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Cypress Creek Renewables)
$50M Operating

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.6% 48 percentile
Population Growth +0.5% 50 percentile
Income Growth +7.2% 21 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.5% 24 percentile
Home Price Change +0.0% 31 percentile
Rent Growth +2.5% 42 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 59 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Guilford County has a Boom Town Index score of 46/100, ranking #535 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.3% and a median household income of $62,880, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Guilford County affordable?

The median home value in Guilford County is $215,700 with median rent at $1,049/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2915, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Guilford County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.3%. Home values changed +0.0% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Guilford County?

Yes — 3.8% of Guilford County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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