RANK #458 / 1001 NAT · #26 / 51 NC · POP 547,940
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
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.
Guilford County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.6% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.6x — 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: 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Guilford County scores 54/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#458). Median household income is $68,642 and job growth is running at +1.5%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Guilford County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $259,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,163/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Guilford County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.5% clip. Home values shifted +0.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.1% 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.