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Nash County, NC

RANK #768 / 996  ·  POP 95,015  ·  NC

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.3%

Nash County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Nash County?

Rocky Mount, a notable town in Nash County, North Carolina, offers a blend of history and modern amenities, including breweries and restaurants at the revitalized Rocky Mount Mills. Nash County is situated on the border of the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions, approximately 45 minutes from downtown Raleigh. The community provides a slower pace of life, with a commute to Raleigh-Durham International Airport ranging from 25 to 55 minutes. Outdoor recreation is available along the Tar River, which features scenic trails for hiking and paddling. The county also boasts several parks with walking trails, playgrounds, and sports facilities.

Life in Nash County is characterized by a lower cost of living and access to essential services. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools are rated above average. The economy, historically agricultural, has diversified with recent investments in manufacturing and logistics. Companies like Cummins and Pfizer have a presence in the county, and there's a growing focus on life sciences and food innovation. Nash County is also becoming a hub for distribution, with strategic partnerships and the development of shell buildings attracting new businesses.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
2.8x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+4.0%

Above national median

Home Prices
-0.8%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
-1.4

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — 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

Nash County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
95,015
+0.41% YoY
Median Household Income
$56,770
Median Home Value
$162,100
-0.85% 12mo
Median Rent
$879
Average Annual Pay
$54,440
+5.9% YoY
Employment
39,498
+0.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3502
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.14%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$309,995
Days on Market
103
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.9
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
18.3%
Listings w/ Price Drops
23.5%
Building Permits (2024)
500
Single-Family Permits
500

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +4.0% 73 percentile
Population Growth +0.4% 48 percentile
Income Growth +7.4% 25 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.6% 87 percentile
Home Price Change -0.8% 22 percentile
Rent Growth -0.5% 8 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 89 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Nash County has a Boom Town Index score of 23/100, ranking #768 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $56,770, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Nash County affordable?

The median home value in Nash County is $162,100 with median rent at $879/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3502, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Nash County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed -0.8% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Nash County?

Yes — 4.14% of Nash County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Tooele County, UT 33 Polk County, TX 33 Middlesex County, MA 33 Lexington County, SC 33 Angelina County, TX 33 Brazos County, TX 33 Benton County, WA 33 Tulare County, CA 33