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Whitfield County, GA

RANK #629 / 996  ·  POP 103,033  ·  GA

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%

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

[01] Why Whitfield County?

Whitfield County, Georgia, is known as the "Carpet Capital of the World," with Dalton, its largest city, at the heart of the industry. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwest Georgia, the county is approximately 25 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and 85 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia. This position along Interstate 75 makes for accessible commutes. The area offers outdoor recreation, including parks with walking tracks, fishing, and disc golf courses, such as Westside Park and Miracle Field in Rocky Face. Whitfield County also has a rich Civil War history, with numerous historical markers and preserved sites.

Life in Whitfield County blends community traditions with ongoing revitalization efforts. The public school system, Whitfield County Schools, serves areas outside Dalton city limits and is considered above average. Dalton itself maintains over 20 public parks and playgrounds. The economy, while historically centered on floor covering manufacturing, has been diversifying to include other sectors. This economic evolution is attracting new businesses and investments, with a focus on expanding the industrial base beyond its traditional strengths.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
2.9x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+5.2%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+2.5%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.4

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — 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

Whitfield County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
103,033
-0.04% YoY
Median Household Income
$59,659
Median Home Value
$175,000
+2.45% 12mo
Median Rent
$849
Average Annual Pay
$54,855
+4.8% YoY
Employment
57,828
+0.9% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3409
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
1.94%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$300,000
Days on Market
75
Slower market
Months of Supply
5.9
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.4%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
14.0%
Listings w/ Price Drops
30.6%
Building Permits (2024)
374
Single-Family Permits
270

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

[05] Capital Investment

$623M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Whitfield County Capital Assets (Net Investment)
Whitfield County
$210M Operating
Core Scientific AI Data Center (New Facility)
Core Scientific
$200M Under Construction
Qcells Solar Module Manufacturing Facility Expansion
Qcells (Hanwha Group)
$171M Completed
The Township at Hammond Creek (Phase 1)
RH Ledbetter Properties, Charles Williams REIC, Hammond Creek Capital
$42M Under Construction

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +5.2% 84 percentile
Population Growth -0.0% 28 percentile
Income Growth +13.8% 99 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 31 percentile
Home Price Change +2.5% 65 percentile
Rent Growth +1.0% 20 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 93 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Whitfield County, GA a good place to move to?

Whitfield County has a Boom Town Index score of 37/100, ranking #629 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.9% and a median household income of $59,659, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Whitfield County affordable?

The median home value in Whitfield County is $175,000 with median rent at $849/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3409, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Whitfield County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.9%. Home values changed +2.5% in the past 12 months.

[08] Similar Metros

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