RANK #343 / 996 · POP 71,429 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.4%
Surry County, North Carolina, is often recognized as the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry from *The Andy Griffith Show*, particularly its town of Mount Airy, Andy Griffith's boyhood home. Located in the Blue Ridge foothills of northwestern North Carolina, the county is approximately an hour's drive from Winston-Salem and Greensboro. The community offers a blend of rural charm and access to natural scenery, including the distinctive Pilot Mountain, a prominent quartzite monadnock within Pilot Mountain State Park, which provides opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and paddling on the Yadkin River. Fisher River Park also offers various outdoor activities, including trails and sports fields.
Life in Surry County appeals to those seeking a quieter pace, with a notable presence of retirees. The local economy, historically rooted in textiles and furniture, has diversified to include agriculture, particularly the growing Yadkin Valley wine region, and advanced manufacturing. Surry County Schools are publicly rated, and the county offers transportation options, including regional bus services connecting to Winston-Salem. Recent economic development efforts focus on supporting existing businesses and attracting new talent, with initiatives like incentive grants for job creation in towns such as Mount Airy.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Surry County has a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, ranking #343 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $52,743, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Surry County is $153,700 with median rent at $706/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3432, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed -0.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.17% of Surry County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.