RANK #748 / 996 · POP 219,042 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.2%
Johnston County, North Carolina, is often recognized for the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, the location of the last major Civil War battle in North Carolina. Situated in the state's Coastal Plain, the county is about 30 minutes southeast of Raleigh, placing it within the broader Research Triangle region. This proximity allows for a commute to Raleigh, while the county itself maintains a blend of rural landscapes and small towns like Smithfield, Clayton, and Benson. Outdoor recreation is available along the Neuse River with greenways for hiking and biking, and managed forests like Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center offer trails and wildlife viewing.
Life in the county balances agricultural roots with increasing development. Many residents commute to jobs in the nearby Triangle area. The economy is experiencing growth across several sectors, including industrial, logistics, manufacturing, and life sciences, with companies like Grifols Therapeutics and Novo Nordisk having a presence near Clayton. Educational institutions, such as Johnston Community College, contribute to workforce training, including programs for advanced manufacturing and biopharmaceutical jobs. The county's public school system, Johnston County Schools, serves a large student population across its elementary, middle, and high schools.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Novo Nordisk Biomanufacturing Campus Expansion
Novo Nordisk
|
$4,100M | Under Construction |
|
Vulcan Elements Rare Earth Magnet Facility
Vulcan Elements Inc.
|
$918M | Planned |
|
Johnston County Public Schools & Facilities Projects
Johnston County
|
$524M | Planned |
|
Grifols Therapeutics Expansion
Grifols
|
$210M | Under Construction |
|
Eastfield Crossing Mixed-Use Development
AdVenture Development
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Inbound Cross Dock Facility
Amazon
|
$100M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Johnston County has a Boom Town Index score of 25/100, ranking #748 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.1% and a median household income of $75,288, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Johnston County is $240,100 with median rent at $970/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3136, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +3.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.1%. Home values changed -1.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.45% of Johnston County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.