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Alamance County, NC

Township 12

RANK #186 / 996 NAT  ·  #10 / 51 NC  ·  POP 171,779

1YR FORECAST: +0.3%

5YR OUTLOOK: +32%

Our model projects Alamance County's housing market to grow +0.3% over the next year, significantly outpacing the national average.

[01] Why Alamance County?

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.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.8x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+1.8%

Below national median

Home Prices
+0.9%

Below national median

Climate & Terrain
-1.0

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Alamance-Burlington School System Education
    2,500+
  2. 2
    Labcorp Healthcare
  3. 3
    Cone Health Alamance Regional Medical Center Healthcare
    1,000+
  4. 4
    Elon University Education
  5. 5
    Walmart Retail
  6. 6
    City of Burlington Government
  7. 7
    Alamance County Government Government
    500+
  8. 8
    Honda Power Equipment/Honda Aero Manufacturing
  9. 9
    GKN Driveline North America Manufacturing
  10. 10
    Alamance Community College Education

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Alamance County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
171,779
+1.53% YoY
Median Household Income
$60,866
Median Home Value
$197,700
+0.86% 12mo
Median Rent
$959
Average Annual Pay
$52,502
+3.0% YoY
Employment
67,668
+1.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3079
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.22%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
27.3%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$325,000
Days on Market
65
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.9
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
12.6%
Listings w/ Price Drops
27.5%
Building Permits (2024)
2,466
Single-Family Permits
1,999

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

[05] Crime & Safety

C
SAFETY
GRADE
Homicide Rate
7.0
per 100K · nat avg 6.3
Firearm Fatalities
14.2
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
98.3
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
Near national avg
based on homicide rate

Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →

[06] Capital Investment

$513M
TOTAL
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.

[07] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.8% 30 percentile
Population Growth +1.5% 83 percentile
Income Growth +10.5% 86 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.0% 56 percentile
Home Price Change +0.9% 43 percentile
Rent Growth +2.9% 48 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 68 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[08] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Alamance County ranks #186 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 81/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.7% and a median household income of $60,866 point to a county with active economic momentum.

Is Alamance County affordable?

Housing in Alamance County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $197,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $959/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.

Is Alamance County growing or shrinking?

Alamance County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted +0.9% in the past year.

Are people moving to Alamance County?

There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.22% 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.

[09] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Pitt County, NC 81 Davidson County, NC 83 Columbus County, NC 86 Randolph County, NC 76 Wayne County, NC 88 Robeson County, NC 90 Kenton County, KY 81 Champaign County, IL 81