HomeNorth CarolinaDavidson County
Davidson County, North Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Davidson County, North Carolina had an estimated 177,809 residents on July 1, 2024, up 5.3 percent since the 2020 census base of 168,925, across 553 square miles. County output reached $7.13 bn in 2024, 2,994 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 78 7(a) approvals worth $70.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Davidson County
How many people live in Davidson County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024172,954
- Households69,846
- Average household size2.48
- Median household income$64,172
- Median age42.2
- Median gross rent$901 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$219,100
- Home value to household income3.4 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income16.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher21.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree6.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over122,305
- Population under 1837,476
- Share under 1821.7 percent
- Population 65 and over32,898
- Share 65 and over19.0 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64102,580
- Civilian labor force83,759
- Unemployment rate4.1 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over61.8 percent
- Rank by population among North Carolina counties17th of 100
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included396th of 3,222
Davidson County is the 17th 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 under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 21.7 percent against 19.0 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Davidson County
Is Davidson County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024177,809
- Census 2020 base population168,925
- Population change since the 2020 census base5.26 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20242,922
- Births, 20241,740
- Deaths, 20242,207
- Natural change, 2024-467
- Net domestic migration, 20242,999
- Net international migration, 2024407
- Total net migration, 20243,406
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20249,716
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents497th of 3,144
The county has grown 5.26 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.
Davidson County
Where are people moving to Davidson County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving5,049
- People arriving, from those returns9,425
- Tax returns filed by households leaving3,932
- Net household movement1,117
- Adjusted gross income arriving$314.7 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$110.3 m
- Average income of an arriving household$62,330
- Average income of a leaving household$51,978
- Largest single originForsyth County (977 households)
- Largest single destinationForsyth County (743 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth County | 977 | 1,783 | $59.0 m |
| Guilford County | 957 | 1,833 | $51.7 m |
| Randolph County | 381 | 687 | $16.2 m |
| Rowan County | 294 | 570 | $12.8 m |
| Mecklenburg County | 155 | 265 | $8.3 m |
| Cabarrus County | 108 | 209 | $6.2 m |
| Davie County | 94 | 178 | $6.1 m |
| Iredell County | 63 | 104 | $4.4 m |
Households arriving report $10,352 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 Forsyth 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.
Davidson County
What is the Davidson County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$7.13 bn
- County GDP, 2023$6.75 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20245.5 percent
- GDP change over five years38.7 percent
- Rank by GDP among the North Carolina areas BEA publishes22nd of 100
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes577th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$41,196
Output grew 5.5 percent in the latest year and 38.7 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.
Davidson County
Employment by industry in Davidson County
- Covered employment, annual average46,653
- Establishments reporting3,388
- Average annual pay$54,593
- Average weekly wage$1,050
- Manufacturing, employment10,449
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$67,183
- Retail trade, employment5,357
- Retail trade, average annual pay$34,659
- Health care and social assistance, employment4,918
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$55,957
- Accommodation and food services, employment4,379
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$23,203
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment3,233
- Wholesale trade, employment2,453
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 10,449 | 232 | $67,183 |
| Retail trade | 5,357 | 479 | $34,659 |
| Health care and social assistance | 4,918 | 250 | $55,957 |
| Accommodation and food services | 4,379 | 262 | $23,203 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 3,233 | 273 | $44,592 |
| Wholesale trade | 2,453 | 200 | $58,387 |
| Construction | 2,438 | 450 | $56,679 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,514 | 132 | $55,458 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 10,449 jobs, 22.4 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Davidson County
How many businesses are in Davidson County?
- Establishments, all industries2,994
- Employment at those establishments41,445
- Annual payroll$2.03 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents17.3
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.
Davidson County
Building permits in Davidson County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024990
- Declared construction value permitted$326.2 m
- Single family units authorized920
- Multifamily units authorized70
- Multifamily share of units7.1 percent
- Average declared value per unit$329,504
- Units authorized per 1,000 households14.2
Single-family homes are 92.9 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Davidson County
SBA loans in Davidson County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded78
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$70.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$900,710
- Median 7(a) approval$250,000
- 10th percentile approval$42,500
- 90th percentile approval$2,711,700
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)892
- Jobs per approval11.4
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active37
- Distinct industries receiving approvals52
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer30.8 percent
- Loans on real estate terms24
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter48
- Franchise loans14
- Franchise share of approvals17.9 percent
- Leading industry by approval countHotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (6)
- Most active lenderPinnacle Bank (9)
- 504 approvals recorded13
- 504 gross approval dollars$10.8 m
- Average 504 approval$827,615
- Median 504 approval$586,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval7.9
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved9.6
- Most active CDCBusiness Expansion Funding Corporation (7)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$81.0 m
The average approval of $900,710 sits well above the median of $250,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. 30.8 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.
Davidson County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Davidson County
Do SBA loans in Davidson County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded14
- Paid in full14
- Charged off0
- Status: Paid in full14
- Status: Exempt from disclosure54
- Status: Cancelled5
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed5
Only 14 loans have 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.
Davidson County
SBA lending by place in Davidson County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending8
- Lexington, approvals43
- Thomasville, approvals22
- Winston Salem, approvals4
- High Point, approvals3
- Linwood, approvals2
- Denton, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 43 | $45,281,900 |
| Thomasville | 22 | $17,295,800 |
| Winston Salem | 4 | $1,472,000 |
| High Point | 3 | $3,041,000 |
| Linwood | 2 | $1,902,500 |
| Denton | 2 | $357,000 |
| New London | 1 | $774,000 |
| Greensboro | 1 | $131,200 |
Lexington accounts for 43 approvals against 22 in Thomasville. 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.
Davidson County
How large is Davidson County?
- Land area553 sq mi
- Rank by land area among North Carolina counties30th of 100
- Width, east to west23.6 mi
- Height, north to south36.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land313
- Establishments per square mile5.41
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.
Davidson County
Flood risk in Davidson County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Davidson County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 370307
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book7
- Of those, participating in the NFIP7
- 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 7
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in Davidson County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Davidson County (community 370307), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Davidson County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 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 7, 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 Davidson 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 Davidson County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024172,954
- Households69,846
- Average household size2.48
- Median household income$64,172
- Median age42.2
Common questions
Davidson County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Davidson County, North Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 177,809 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 172,954, in 69,846 households, ranking 17th of 100 North Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Davidson County's population growing?
The population has grown 5.26 percent since the 2020 census base of 168,925, to 177,809 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,740 births against 2,207 deaths, with net migration of 3,406. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Davidson County?
$64,172. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $219,100, which is 3.4 times income, and median gross rent is $901 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Davidson County?
2,994 establishments, employing 41,445 people with an annual payroll of $2.03 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 Davidson County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 10,449 jobs, 22.4 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 46,653 jobs at an average annual pay of $54,593, or $1,050 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Davidson County?
78 7(a) approvals totaling $70.3 m since FY2020, across 37 lenders, with a median approval of $250,000, plus 13 504 approvals worth $10.8 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Davidson County?
990 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $326.2 m. Multifamily was 7.1 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Davidson County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Davidson County come from?
The largest single origin is Forsyth County, with 977 households. Arriving households report an average income of $62,330 against $51,978 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Davidson 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 Davidson 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.
Davidson County
Cities and places in Davidson.
10 Census places lie wholly or partly in Davidson County. All 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Point | city | 116,245 | 3 | 4.2 percent here, 94.2 percent Guilford County |
| Thomasville | city | 27,321 | 22 | Wholly in this county |
| Lexington | city | 19,690 | 43 | Wholly in this county |
| Midway | town | 4,897 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Tyro | CDP | 3,833 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Welcome | CDP | 3,521 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Wallburg | town | 3,150 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Southmont | CDP | 1,525 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Denton | town | 1,506 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Yadkin College | CDP | 400 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 8 of the county's 78 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Davidson County, the largest being Winston Salem (4), Linwood (2), New London (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.