HomeNorth CarolinaCaldwell County
Caldwell County, North Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Caldwell County, North Carolina had an estimated 80,739 residents on July 1, 2024, up 0.1 percent since the 2020 census base of 80,673, across 472 square miles. County output reached $3.31 bn in 2024, 1,414 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 28 7(a) approvals worth $19.1 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Caldwell County
How many people live in Caldwell County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202480,536
- Households32,919
- Average household size2.45
- Median household income$56,425
- Median age45.4
- Median gross rent$744 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$192,200
- Home value to household income3.4 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income15.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher18.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree6.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over58,577
- Population under 1815,900
- Share under 1819.7 percent
- Population 65 and over17,272
- Share 65 and over21.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6447,364
- Civilian labor force38,882
- Unemployment rate5.0 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over60.2 percent
- Rank by population among North Carolina counties34th of 100
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included722nd of 3,222
Caldwell County is the 34th largest of 100 North Carolina counties by population. A median home costs 3.4 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 21.4 percent against 19.7 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Caldwell County
Is Caldwell County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202480,739
- Census 2020 base population80,673
- Population change since the 2020 census base0.08 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024160
- Births, 2024795
- Deaths, 20241,232
- Natural change, 2024-437
- Net domestic migration, 2024499
- Net international migration, 202498
- Total net migration, 2024597
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20242,039
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1797th of 3,144
The county has grown 0.08 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Caldwell County
Where are people moving to Caldwell County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,803
- People arriving, from those returns3,258
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,556
- Net household movement247
- Adjusted gross income arriving$108.8 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$32.5 m
- Average income of an arriving household$60,364
- Average income of a leaving household$49,038
- Largest single originCatawba County (383 households)
- Largest single destinationCatawba County (353 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba County | 383 | 731 | $22.3 m |
| Burke County | 293 | 544 | $11.8 m |
| Alexander County | 74 | 139 | $3.2 m |
| Watauga County | 63 | 105 | $5.8 m |
| Mecklenburg County | 49 | 79 | $3.6 m |
| Wilkes County | 41 | 69 | $1.8 m |
| Gaston County | 40 | 66 | $1.9 m |
| Iredell County | 27 | 50 | $1.1 m |
Households arriving report $11,326 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Catawba County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Caldwell County
What is the Caldwell County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$3.31 bn
- County GDP, 2023$3.16 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20244.8 percent
- GDP change over five years26.5 percent
- Rank by GDP among the North Carolina areas BEA publishes40th of 100
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes915th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$41,074
Output grew 4.8 percent in the latest year and 26.5 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Caldwell County
Employment by industry in Caldwell County
- Covered employment, annual average25,506
- Establishments reporting1,594
- Average annual pay$50,605
- Average weekly wage$973
- Manufacturing, employment5,762
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$58,241
- Health care and social assistance, employment3,472
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$52,063
- Retail trade, employment2,806
- Retail trade, average annual pay$32,474
- Wholesale trade, employment2,098
- Wholesale trade, average annual pay$65,807
- Accommodation and food services, employment2,024
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment1,253
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 5,762 | 122 | $58,241 |
| Health care and social assistance | 3,472 | 152 | $52,063 |
| Retail trade | 2,806 | 242 | $32,474 |
| Wholesale trade | 2,098 | 63 | $65,807 |
| Accommodation and food services | 2,024 | 126 | $18,974 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,253 | 104 | $41,822 |
| Construction | 1,127 | 173 | $56,387 |
| Other services, except public administration | 560 | 122 | $40,386 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 5,762 jobs, 22.6 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Caldwell County
How many businesses are in Caldwell County?
- Establishments, all industries1,414
- Employment at those establishments23,930
- Annual payroll$1.15 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents17.6
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Caldwell County
Building permits in Caldwell County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024224
- Declared construction value permitted$59.2 m
- Single family units authorized224
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$264,459
- Units authorized per 1,000 households6.8
Single-family homes are 100.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Caldwell County
SBA loans in Caldwell County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded28
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$19.1 m
- Average 7(a) approval$682,946
- Median 7(a) approval$282,000
- 10th percentile approval$18,500
- 90th percentile approval$1,998,400
- Largest single approval$3,501,500
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)465
- Jobs per approval16.6
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active19
- Distinct industries receiving approvals23
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer32.1 percent
- Loans on real estate terms9
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter15
- Franchise loans6
- Franchise share of approvals21.4 percent
- Most active lenderWells Fargo Bank National Association (5)
- 504 approvals recorded5
- 504 gross approval dollars$4.3 m
- Average 504 approval$862,200
- Median 504 approval$673,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval27.6
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved32.0
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$23.4 m
The average approval of $682,946 sits well above the median of $282,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. 32.1 percent of approvals run on real estate terms of 240 months or more, so this is a market where SBA credit is buying buildings, not just funding operations.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Caldwell County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Caldwell County
Do SBA loans in Caldwell County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded1
- Paid in full1
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure22
- Status: Paid in full1
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed3
- Status: Cancelled2
Only 1 loan has reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Caldwell County
SBA lending by place in Caldwell County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending3
- Lenoir, approvals18
- Granite Falls, approvals8
- Hudson, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Lenoir | 18 | $15,002,400 |
| Granite Falls | 8 | $3,641,100 |
| Hudson | 2 | $479,000 |
Lenoir accounts for 18 approvals against 8 in Granite Falls. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Caldwell County
How large is Caldwell County?
- Land area472 sq mi
- Rank by land area among North Carolina counties48th of 100
- Width, east to west27.1 mi
- Height, north to south24.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land171
- Establishments per square mile3.00
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Caldwell County
Flood risk in Caldwell County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Caldwell County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 370039
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 9
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book10
- Of those, participating in the NFIP10
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 9
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in Caldwell County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Caldwell County (community 370039), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 9, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Caldwell County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 9, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Caldwell County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Caldwell County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202480,536
- Households32,919
- Average household size2.45
- Median household income$56,425
- Median age45.4
Common questions
Caldwell County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Caldwell County, North Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 80,739 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 80,536, in 32,919 households, ranking 34th of 100 North Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Caldwell County's population growing?
The population has grown 0.08 percent since the 2020 census base of 80,673, to 80,739 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 795 births against 1,232 deaths, with net migration of 597. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Caldwell County?
$56,425. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $192,200, which is 3.4 times income, and median gross rent is $744 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Caldwell County?
1,414 establishments, employing 23,930 people with an annual payroll of $1.15 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Caldwell County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 5,762 jobs, 22.6 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 25,506 jobs at an average annual pay of $50,605, or $973 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Caldwell County?
28 7(a) approvals totaling $19.1 m since FY2020, across 19 lenders, with a median approval of $282,000, plus 5 504 approvals worth $4.3 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Caldwell County?
224 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $59.2 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Caldwell County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Caldwell County come from?
The largest single origin is Catawba County, with 383 households. Arriving households report an average income of $60,364 against $49,038 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Caldwell County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Caldwell County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Caldwell County
Cities and places in Caldwell.
12 Census places lie wholly or partly in Caldwell County. All 12 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | city | 44,258 | None recorded | 2.5 percent here, 94.2 percent Catawba County, 3.3 percent Burke County |
| Lenoir | city | 18,299 | 18 | Wholly in this county |
| Sawmills | town | 5,042 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Granite Falls | town | 4,929 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Hudson | town | 3,772 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Gamewell | town | 3,689 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Cajah's Mountain | town | 2,704 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Northlakes | CDP | 1,716 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rutherford College | town | 1,374 | None recorded | 2.0 percent here, 98.0 percent Burke County |
| Rhodhiss | town | 1,166 | None recorded | 34.7 percent here, 65.3 percent Burke County |
| Blowing Rock | town | 992 | None recorded | 13.9 percent here, 86.1 percent Watauga County |
| Cedar Rock | village | 306 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |