RANK #653 / 996 · POP 226,396 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Cabarrus County, North Carolina, is perhaps best known as a center for motorsports, home to Charlotte Motor Speedway and the residence of legendary driver Dale Earnhardt Sr.. Located in the south-central Piedmont region, approximately 18 miles northeast of Charlotte, the county offers a blend of suburban and rural living across its municipalities, including Concord and Kannapolis. The county also provides various outdoor recreation opportunities, with numerous parks, greenways, and trails for hiking, biking, and other activities, set within a landscape of rolling hills. Life in Cabarrus County is characterized by a mix of families and young professionals, with a high rate of homeownership. The public school systems, Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools, are recognized statewide, with Cabarrus County offering a K-12 STEM pipeline. Economically, the county has seen significant investment in manufacturing and commercial/residential development. Tourism also plays a role in the local economy. While the county experiences growth, residents have expressed concerns about the rising cost of housing.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Eli Lilly and Company Manufacturing Facility
Eli Lilly and Company
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Red Bull/Rauch North America/Ball Corporation Manufacturing Facility
Red Bull/Rauch North America/Ball Corporation
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Downtown Kannapolis Revitalization (Streetscape, Linear Park, Baseball Stadium)
City of Kannapolis
|
$113M | Completed |
|
Momentec Brands Customer Success Center
Momentec Brands
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Concord to Kannapolis System Expansion (Natural Gas Pipeline)
Enbridge Gas North Carolina
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cabarrus County has a Boom Town Index score of 34/100, ranking #653 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.2% and a median household income of $83,828, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Cabarrus County is $281,600 with median rent at $1,185/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2977, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.2%. Home values changed -1.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.56% of Cabarrus County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.