RANK #134 / 1001 NAT · #6 / 41 GA · POP 89,886
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
A local in Barrow County, Georgia, might first mention Fort Yargo State Park, a significant natural refuge in Winder featuring a 1792 log fort built by settlers. Located in the Piedmont plateau of Northeast Georgia, Barrow County sits between Athens and Atlanta, with Athens less than 30 minutes away and Atlanta under 45 minutes. Interstate 85 crosses its northern section, and Georgia Highway 316, known as the University Parkway, bisects the county, offering access for commuters. The community offers a blend of small-town charm, particularly in Winder, and access to outdoor recreation at Fort Yargo, which includes a 260-acre lake, hiking and biking trails, and camping.
Life in Barrow County often appeals to families, with public schools generally well-regarded. Commute options include carpooling and vanpooling programs through Georgia Commute Options, which serves the wider Atlanta metropolitan area. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in advanced manufacturing, distribution, and life sciences. This has led to an increase in employment opportunities across various sectors, attracting new residents seeking a balance of community living and economic prospects.
Barrow County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -1.3% runs below the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 19.0x — 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 Barrow County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Barrow Landing Master Plan
Walton Global
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Spring Mountain Center Headquarters
Spring Mountain Center
|
$45M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Barrow County ranks #134 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 87/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +3.0% and a median household income of $80,653 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Barrow County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $294,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,318/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Barrow County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.0% clip. Home values shifted -1.3% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 6.23% of Barrow County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.