RANK #859 / 1001 NAT · #43 / 51 NC · POP 176,893
1YR FORECAST: -1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
The Haw River, a central feature of Alamance County, North Carolina, flows through a landscape rich in both natural beauty and historical significance. Located in the north-central Piedmont region, the county is situated between the major metropolitan areas of the Triad and the Triangle. This positioning means residents experience a blend of small-town atmosphere in places like Mebane and Graham, alongside convenient access to larger cities for work or amenities. The Haw River Trail offers opportunities for hiking, paddling, and exploring former textile mill villages, connecting residents with the area's past and its natural environment.
Life in Alamance County offers a balance of community and accessibility. Many families and young professionals reside here, with public schools generally performing above average. Commute options include local Link Transit bus routes and regional PART Express services, connecting to nearby cities like Greensboro and Chapel Hill. The economy, historically rooted in textiles, has seen recent growth in industrial and logistics sectors, attracting new investments and job creation. This economic evolution provides opportunities for residents, including those who may commute or work remotely.
Alamance County is one of 35 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.4% matches the profile's typical +1.4%.
See all 35 Secondary Market Surge counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Alamance County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
UPS Package Sorting Hub
UPS
|
$316M | Operating |
|
Walmart Distribution Center Expansion
Walmart
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Alamance Foods Expansion
Alamance Foods, Inc.
|
$42M | Operating |
|
Sunlight Batteries USA Facility
Sunlight Batteries USA Inc.
|
$40M | Operating |
|
Quaker Creek Farm Solar
Quaker Creek Farm Solar, LLC
|
$35M | Planned |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (7 projects)
Cypress Creek Renewables and others
|
$30M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Alamance County scores just 13/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #859 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -1.7% and median household income of $65,651 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Alamance County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $241,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,064/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Alamance County is attracting residents (population +1.5% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -1.7%. Housing values changed +1.4% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.09% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Alamance County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.