RANK #612 / 996 · POP 50,760 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
Henry County, Virginia, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is often recognized for the Martinsville Speedway, a prominent NASCAR short track. The county, established in 1777 and named after Patrick Henry, is situated on Virginia's southern border, approximately 50 miles from Roanoke, Virginia, and Greensboro, North Carolina. Commuting within the county is generally shorter than the national average, with an average one-way commute of 23.6 minutes. Public transportation, including the Piedmont Area Regional Transit (PART) bus system, serves Martinsville and Henry County. The area offers various outdoor recreation opportunities, such as fishing in the Smith River, hiking trails, and activities at Philpott Lake and Fairy Stone State Park.
Life in Henry County is characterized by a blend of small-town charm and access to amenities. The cost of living is lower than the national average, with affordable housing options. Henry County Public Schools serve over 7,000 students across elementary, middle, and high schools, with all schools fully accredited. Recent economic developments show investments in advanced manufacturing, including a new facility for automotive components and electric vehicle battery materials. There are also initiatives focused on industrial skills trades training and broader regional economic growth strategies.
Overvalued relative to economy
No data
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Axton Solar Project
Vesper Energy
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Press Glass Manufacturing Facility Expansion
Press Glass, Inc.
|
$155M | Under Construction |
|
Crown Holdings Beverage Can Manufacturing Facility
Crown Holdings, Inc.
|
$145M | Operating |
|
WPPDC West Universal Broadband Project
RiverStreet Networks, Appalachian Power, Henry County, Franklin County, Patrick County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Villa Heights Housing Project (13 homes)
West Piedmont Planning District Commission, Henry County, The Harvest Foundation, Havenmore, Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Henry County has a Boom Town Index score of 39/100, ranking #612 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.4% and a median household income of $43,694, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Henry County is $111,800 with median rent at $686/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3908, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.4%. Home values changed -4.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.08% of Henry County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.