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Rockingham County, NC

RANK #586 / 996  ·  POP 91,209  ·  NC

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.4%

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

[01] Why Rockingham County?

Rockingham County, North Carolina, known as "North Carolina's North Star," offers a blend of historical significance and natural beauty. The county is rich in water resources, boasting four rivers and three lakes, including the Dan and Mayo Rivers, which provide opportunities for outdoor recreation like kayaking, boating, and hiking. Located in the Piedmont region, it is partially bordered by Virginia. Commuting to nearby Greensboro is common for many residents, with an average commute time of 27 minutes. Towns like Eden, Reidsville, Madison, and Mayodan contribute to the county's community feel.

Life in Rockingham County often appeals to families and retirees, with a significant percentage of residents owning their homes. The public school system is managed by Rockingham County Schools. The economy, historically tied to agriculture and manufacturing, is experiencing new investments. Recent economic developments include growth in sectors such as energy equipment manufacturing and data centers. These developments are bringing new jobs to the area.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.4x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+3.6%

Above national median

Home Prices
-1.2%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
0.1

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Rockingham County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
91,209
+0.34% YoY
Median Household Income
$50,737
Median Home Value
$142,900
-1.18% 12mo
Median Rent
$743
Average Annual Pay
$45,428
+2.2% YoY
Employment
24,908
+1.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3551
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.64%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$261,500
Days on Market
87
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.1
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.1%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
9.5%
Listings w/ Price Drops
17.3%
Building Permits (2024)
344
Single-Family Permits
344

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

[05] Capital Investment

$2,045M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
WhiteFiber AI Data Center Campus (NC-1)
WhiteFiber Inc. (Bit Digital)
$1,000M Under Construction
Duke Energy Belews Lake Natural Gas Plants (Proposed)
Duke Energy
$850M Proposed
Williamsburg Rockingham Solar PV Park
Williamsburg Solar
$80M Permitting
Rockingham County Electric Cooperatives Battery Storage
North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives (FlexGen)
$50M Operating
UNC Health Rockingham Investment
UNC Health
$40M Planned
TSEA Energy Manufacturing Plant
TSEA Energy
$25M Planned

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.6% 68 percentile
Population Growth +0.3% 44 percentile
Income Growth +8.0% 36 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.8% 74 percentile
Home Price Change -1.2% 20 percentile
Rent Growth +6.4% 88 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 87 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Rockingham County has a Boom Town Index score of 41/100, ranking #586 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $50,737, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Rockingham County affordable?

The median home value in Rockingham County is $142,900 with median rent at $743/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3551, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Rockingham County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed -1.2% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Rockingham County?

Yes — 3.64% of Rockingham 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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