RANK #523 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 41 GA · POP 169,649
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Houston County, Georgia, located in the central part of the state, is often recognized for Robins Air Force Base, a major employer and a significant presence in the region. The county seat is Perry, though Warner Robins is the largest city. Situated about 75 miles south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the area offers a shorter average commute time of 21.4 minutes, compared to the national average. Houston County maintains 15 parks, including Houston Lake and the Ocmulgee River, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and nature trails.
Life in Houston County is characterized by a family-oriented community with highly-rated public schools. The economy is largely influenced by Robins Air Force Base, which is the largest industrial complex in Georgia and a major employer. Beyond the base, the county has seen growth in aerospace, food processing, distribution and logistics, agribusiness, and advanced manufacturing. Notable employers include large facilities for Frito-Lay and Perdue Farms, and a new Jack Link's facility is under construction.
Houston County is one of 35 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.2% runs above the profile's typical +1.4%.
See all 35 Secondary Market Surge counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 9.6x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Houston County scores 47/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#523). Median household income is $80,698 and job growth is running at -0.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Houston County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $219,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,208/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Houston County's population is growing — up +1.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.4%). Home values shifted +3.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.84% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Houston County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.