Mount Airy
RANK #716 / 996 NAT · #34 / 51 NC · POP 71,429
1YR FORECAST: +1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 28/100, Surry County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $52,743 combined with job growth of +1.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Surry County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $153,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $706/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Surry County are hiring — job growth of +1.3% — but the population is close to flat (-0.0% YoY). Home values moved -0.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.17% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Surry County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.