RANK #425 / 996 · POP 63,560 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.0%
Lee County, North Carolina, is known as the "brick making capital" of the United States, with Sanford, the county seat, historically producing more bricks than any other U.S. city. Located in the state's Piedmont region, Lee County sits about 40 miles southwest of Raleigh, making commutes to the larger city feasible for residents. The community offers a blend of small-town living with access to natural amenities, including San-Lee Park, which provides hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities across its 177 acres. The Deep River, forming the county's northern boundary, also offers scenic areas and historical sites like the Deep River Camelback Truss Bridge.
Life in Lee County often appeals to families and young professionals, with a majority of residents owning their homes. The public school system is considered above average, with institutions like Lee Early College and Tramway Elementary School ranking highly. Recent economic growth in the county is driven by significant investments in manufacturing and data centers in the surrounding region, creating new job opportunities and increasing demand for housing. The County of Lee Transit System (COLTS) and the new Buzzline microtransit service provide on-demand transportation options for residents.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Deep River Data AI Data Center (Proposed)
Deep River Data
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Pfizer Expansion
Pfizer
|
$500M | Completed |
|
Audentes Therapeutics Investment
Audentes Therapeutics
|
$109M | Completed |
|
Adams Village Commercial Project
To be determined (developer)
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Midtown Village East (Mixed-Use Development)
To be determined (developer)
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lee County has a Boom Town Index score of 57/100, ranking #425 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +6.5% and a median household income of $60,941, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Lee County is $186,000 with median rent at $923/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3276, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +6.5%. Home values changed +0.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.85% of Lee County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.