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Guilford County, NC

Morehead

RANK #436 / 996 NAT  ·  #24 / 51 NC  ·  POP 539,557

1YR FORECAST: +0.5%

5YR OUTLOOK: +25%

Guilford County's housing market is projected to grow +0.5% over the next year, tracking near the national average.

[01] Why Guilford County?

Guilford County, North Carolina, is perhaps best known for its historical significance, particularly the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, commemorating a pivotal Revolutionary War battle. Located in the state's Piedmont region, the county is home to the major cities of Greensboro and High Point, along with smaller communities like Jamestown and Summerfield. Commuting within the county is facilitated by local transit agencies and regional express bus services, with an average commute time of 22 minutes for those driving alone. The area offers diverse natural landscapes, including lakes and extensive trail systems for outdoor recreation.

Life in Guilford County offers a blend of urban amenities and a community feel, attracting families and young professionals. The public school system serves a large student population across Greensboro and High Point. The economy, historically rooted in textiles and furniture, has diversified, with recent investments in sectors such as aviation, advanced manufacturing, and technology. This economic evolution is supported by local initiatives aimed at fostering business growth and providing workforce training.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.1x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.6%

Below national median

Home Prices
+0.0%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.8

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Guilford County Schools Education
    10,000+
  2. 2
    Cone Health Healthcare
    5,000+
  3. 3
    City of Greensboro Government
    2,500+
  4. 4
    U.S. Postal Service Logistics
  5. 5
    University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Education
  6. 6
    Guilford County Government
    1,000+
  7. 7
    High Point Regional Hospital Healthcare
  8. 8
    American Express Finance
  9. 9
    Bank of America Finance
  10. 10
    Tyco Electronics Manufacturing

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

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Guilford County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
539,557
+0.46% YoY
Median Household Income
$62,880
Median Home Value
$215,700
+0.01% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,049
Average Annual Pay
$61,546
+4.1% YoY
Employment
287,996
+0.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2915
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.8%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
37.9%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$308,000
Days on Market
65
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.6
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
20.5%
Listings w/ Price Drops
21.0%
Building Permits (2024)
3,843
Single-Family Permits
1,440

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

[05] Crime & Safety

D
SAFETY
GRADE
Homicide Rate
10.5
per 100K · nat avg 6.3
Firearm Fatalities
17.0
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
97.6
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
Well above 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] Air Quality

B-
AIR QUALITY
GRADE
Median AQI (3yr)
46.7
Good
Good Air Days
59%
651 of 1,095 days
Unhealthy+ Days (3yr)
4
Sensitive groups affected
Primary Pollutant
PM2.5
Fine particulate matter
Yearly Trend
2021
44
2022
46
2023
50
Median AQI · lower is better

Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →

[07] Capital Investment

$1,222M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Guilford County Government Complex (Greensboro & High Point)
Guilford County
$572M Planned
Greensboro Dream Center Campus
RAEDEN / ImpactData
$500M Planned
Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion)
Williams Companies (Transco)
$50M Proposed
Lumentum Advanced Manufacturing Facility
Lumentum Holdings Inc.
$50M Under Construction
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Cypress Creek Renewables)
$50M Operating

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[08] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.6% 48 percentile
Population Growth +0.5% 50 percentile
Income Growth +7.2% 21 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.5% 24 percentile
Home Price Change +0.0% 31 percentile
Rent Growth +2.5% 42 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 59 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[09] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Guilford County scores 56/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#436). Median household income is $62,880 and job growth is running at +0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.

Is Guilford County affordable?

Housing in Guilford County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $215,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,049/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.

Is Guilford County growing or shrinking?

Population and employment in Guilford County are both close to flat — population +0.5% YoY and jobs +0.3%. Home values shifted +0.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.

Are people moving to Guilford County?

There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.8% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Guilford County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.

[10] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Caldwell County, NC 56 Onslow County, NC 57 Wilkes County, NC 58 Catawba County, NC 52 Cleveland County, NC 62 Burke County, NC 50 Bristol County, MA 56 Tulare County, CA 55