Rome
RANK #483 / 996 NAT · #12 / 41 GA · POP 98,541
1YR FORECAST: +1.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Floyd County, Georgia, distinguishes itself with Rome, its county seat, a city historically significant for its location at the confluence of the Etowah, Oostanaula, and Coosa rivers. This northwest Georgia county is approximately 90 minutes from Atlanta, offering a community feel with access to larger urban centers. Commute times average around 23.3 minutes for residents. The area's rolling hills and river systems provide a backdrop for outdoor recreation, including miles of paved and unpaved trails for walking, hiking, and biking, along with opportunities for kayaking and fishing on the rivers. Parks like Ridge Ferry Park offer community gathering spaces and access to trails.
Life in Floyd County often appeals to families, with public schools recognized for surpassing pre-pandemic performance levels in math and reading. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments across several sectors. Manufacturing, healthcare, and educational services are significant employers. The county is also seeing development in areas such as data centers, reflecting a shift in its economic landscape.
Below national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.9x — home prices are low 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Microsoft Rome Data Center
Microsoft
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Project Gracie Data Center Campus
Atlas Development
|
$750M | Planned |
|
Project Sassy Data Center Campus
Atlas Development
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Coosa High School Area Data Center
Undisclosed Developer
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Kerry Group Expansion
Kerry Group
|
$125M | Completed |
|
Hammond Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Georgia Power
|
$58M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Floyd County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#483). Median household income is $57,868 and job growth is running at +2.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Floyd County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $174,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $890/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Floyd County are hiring — job growth of +2.6% — but the population is close to flat (+0.3% YoY). Home values moved +1.7% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.24% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Floyd County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.