Goldsboro
RANK #124 / 996 NAT · #7 / 51 NC · POP 117,480
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +35%
Wayne County, North Carolina, is often recognized for the Mount Olive Pickle Company, a major pickle producer that hosts an annual North Carolina Pickle Festival in the town of Mount Olive. Located in the Coastal Plain region of Eastern North Carolina, Wayne County is approximately 50-52 miles southeast of Raleigh. Goldsboro serves as the county seat. The community has a slower pace, with a mix of rural landscapes and developed areas. The Neuse River bisects the county, offering natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, paddling, and fishing at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
Life in Wayne County offers a blend of community-oriented living with access to amenities. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools are considered above average. Commuting to Raleigh is possible, though daily travel on major highways can involve significant traffic. The local economy is supported by diverse sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture. Recent economic developments include investments in manufacturing facilities, particularly in the production of power transformers and textiles. The presence of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base also significantly influences the local economy and community.
Above national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Lee Combined Cycle Plant (Natural Gas Plant)
Duke Energy Progress - (NC)
|
$1,068M | Operating |
|
Wayne County Energy Complex (Natural Gas Plant)
Duke Energy Progress - (NC)
|
$980M | Operating |
|
Prolec GE Goldsboro Facility Expansion
Prolec GE
|
$140M | Under Construction |
|
Pelsan Tekstil Manufacturing Facility
Pelsan Tekstil
|
$83M | Planned |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (5 projects)
Various (USF Essex Lessor, LLC, Lane Solar Farm LLC, Overman Solar, LLC, Wayne Solar III, LLC, Wayne Solar II, LLC)
|
$25M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Wayne County ranks #124 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 88/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.7% and a median household income of $54,323 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Wayne County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $152,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $899/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Wayne County are hiring — job growth of +1.7% — but the population is close to flat (-0.2% YoY). Home values moved -1.6% 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 3.81% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Wayne County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.