RANK #746 / 1001 NAT · #38 / 51 NC · POP 196,544
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Iredell County, North Carolina, is distinguished by Lake Norman, the state's largest man-made lake, which forms much of its western border and offers 520 miles of shoreline. Located in the Piedmont region, approximately 30 minutes north of Charlotte, the county presents a blend of suburban and rural living. Mooresville, known as "Race City USA," is a notable town within the county, recognized for its ties to NASCAR. The landscape features rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests, with the Brushy Mountains in the northwest. Outdoor recreation opportunities include extensive hiking and mountain biking trails at Lake Norman State Park, along with various community parks.
Life in Iredell County offers a mix of community types, from the historic county seat of Statesville to the growing areas around Lake Norman. Residents have access to two public school districts, Iredell-Statesville Schools and Mooresville Graded School District, both recognized for their educational quality. Commute options include the Iredell County Area Transportation System (ICATS), which provides local routes and an express service to Charlotte. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments across various sectors, including manufacturing and data centers. Businesses in the county have reported stable employment and optimism for future sales growth.
Iredell County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.4% YoY, population +2.5%, wages +3.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.9x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Statesville Data Center Campus
Compass Datacenters
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
77 North Logistics Site
Undisclosed
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Northside 77 Industrial Space
Undisclosed
|
$90M | Under Construction |
|
North Fork Business Park
Undisclosed
|
$75M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 25/100, Iredell County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $81,419 combined with job growth of -0.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Iredell County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $321,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,252/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Iredell County's population is growing — up +2.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). Home values shifted +1.4% 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 3.35% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Iredell County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.