HomeNorth CarolinaJohnston County
Johnston County, North Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Johnston County, North Carolina had an estimated 249,794 residents on July 1, 2024, up 15.6 percent since the 2020 census base of 216,001, across 791 square miles. County output reached $11.57 bn in 2024, 4,151 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 144 7(a) approvals worth $82.0 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Johnston County
How many people live in Johnston County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024234,263
- Households85,591
- Average household size2.74
- Median household income$83,384
- Median age38.1
- Median gross rent$1,146 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$305,600
- Home value to household income3.7 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income16.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher28.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree8.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over156,985
- Population under 1858,336
- Share under 1824.9 percent
- Population 65 and over32,148
- Share 65 and over13.7 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64143,779
- Civilian labor force120,797
- Unemployment rate3.8 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over68.7 percent
- Rank by population among North Carolina counties12th of 100
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included302nd of 3,222
Johnston County is the 12th largest of 100 North Carolina counties by population. A median home costs 3.7 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 24.9 percent against 13.7 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Johnston County
Is Johnston County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024249,794
- Census 2020 base population216,001
- Population change since the 2020 census base15.64 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20247,436
- Births, 20242,855
- Deaths, 20241,829
- Natural change, 20241,026
- Net domestic migration, 20245,283
- Net international migration, 20241,123
- Total net migration, 20246,406
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 202426,309
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents50th of 3,144
The county has grown 15.64 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Johnston County
Where are people moving to Johnston County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving8,798
- People arriving, from those returns17,118
- Tax returns filed by households leaving6,287
- Net household movement2,511
- Adjusted gross income arriving$569.5 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$193.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$64,727
- Average income of a leaving household$59,777
- Largest single originWake County (3,649 households)
- Largest single destinationWake County (1,874 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 3,649 | 7,162 | $234.9 m |
| Harnett County | 315 | 680 | $15.3 m |
| Wayne County | 232 | 424 | $10.6 m |
| Durham County | 216 | 396 | $13.1 m |
| Wilson County | 131 | 259 | $6.0 m |
| Cumberland County | 120 | 216 | $6.9 m |
| Nash County | 101 | 181 | $5.2 m |
| Pitt County | 92 | 144 | $3.9 m |
Households arriving report $4,950 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 Wake 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.
Johnston County
What is the Johnston County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$11.57 bn
- County GDP, 2023$10.50 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 202410.2 percent
- GDP change over five years48.5 percent
- Rank by GDP among the North Carolina areas BEA publishes16th of 100
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes393rd of 3,127
- GDP per resident$49,402
Output grew 10.2 percent in the latest year and 48.5 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.
Johnston County
Employment by industry in Johnston County
- Covered employment, annual average61,005
- Establishments reporting5,104
- Average annual pay$55,305
- Average weekly wage$1,064
- Manufacturing, employment8,227
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$89,254
- Retail trade, employment7,897
- Retail trade, average annual pay$33,715
- Health care and social assistance, employment7,320
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$59,523
- Accommodation and food services, employment6,473
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$21,285
- Construction, employment5,758
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment4,632
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 8,227 | 146 | $89,254 |
| Retail trade | 7,897 | 553 | $33,715 |
| Health care and social assistance | 7,320 | 533 | $59,523 |
| Accommodation and food services | 6,473 | 368 | $21,285 |
| Construction | 5,758 | 899 | $62,837 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 4,632 | 362 | $46,755 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 2,303 | 187 | $60,189 |
| Wholesale trade | 2,294 | 246 | $84,743 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 8,227 jobs, 13.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Johnston County
How many businesses are in Johnston County?
- Establishments, all industries4,151
- Employment at those establishments49,067
- Annual payroll$2.30 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents17.7
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.
Johnston County
Building permits in Johnston County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20242,783
- Declared construction value permitted$860.4 m
- Single family units authorized2,775
- Multifamily units authorized8
- Multifamily share of units0.3 percent
- Average declared value per unit$309,173
- Units authorized per 1,000 households32.5
Single-family homes are 99.7 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Johnston County
SBA loans in Johnston County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded144
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$82.0 m
- Average 7(a) approval$569,553
- Median 7(a) approval$260,450
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,321,900
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)1,940
- Jobs per approval13.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active55
- Distinct industries receiving approvals80
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer18.1 percent
- Loans on real estate terms26
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter99
- Franchise loans37
- Franchise share of approvals25.7 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (12)
- Most active lenderWells Fargo Bank National Association (13)
- 504 approvals recorded17
- 504 gross approval dollars$20.0 m
- Average 504 approval$1,175,941
- Median 504 approval$725,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval15.2
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved12.9
- Most active CDCBusiness Expansion Funding Corporation (12)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$102.0 m
The average approval of $569,553 sits well above the median of $260,450, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 18.1 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
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.
Johnston County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Johnston County
Do SBA loans in Johnston County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded22
- Paid in full20
- Charged off2
- Status: Paid in full20
- Status: Charged off2
- Status: Exempt from disclosure89
- Status: Cancelled23
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed10
Only 22 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.
Johnston County
SBA lending by place in Johnston County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending11
- Clayton, approvals62
- Smithfield, approvals32
- Garner, approvals15
- Selma, approvals13
- Benson, approvals8
- Princeton, approvals5
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 62 | $20,656,500 |
| Smithfield | 32 | $26,831,900 |
| Garner | 15 | $4,100,500 |
| Selma | 13 | $14,028,100 |
| Benson | 8 | $3,828,700 |
| Princeton | 5 | $2,834,000 |
| Raleigh | 3 | $5,260,000 |
| Four Oaks | 2 | $2,740,000 |
| 3 other borrower cities | 4 | $1,736,000 |
Clayton accounts for 62 approvals against 32 in Smithfield. 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.
Johnston County
How large is Johnston County?
- Land area791 sq mi
- Rank by land area among North Carolina counties10th of 100
- Width, east to west36.3 mi
- Height, north to south38.3 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land296
- Establishments per square mile5.25
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.
Johnston County
Flood risk in Johnston County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Johnston County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 370138
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book12
- Of those, participating in the NFIP12
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Johnston 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 Johnston County (community 370138), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Johnston 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. 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 Johnston 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 Johnston County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024234,263
- Households85,591
- Average household size2.74
- Median household income$83,384
- Median age38.1
Common questions
Johnston County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Johnston County, North Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 249,794 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 234,263, in 85,591 households, ranking 12th of 100 North Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Johnston County's population growing?
The population has grown 15.64 percent since the 2020 census base of 216,001, to 249,794 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 2,855 births against 1,829 deaths, with net migration of 6,406. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Johnston County?
$83,384. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $305,600, which is 3.7 times income, and median gross rent is $1,146 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Johnston County?
4,151 establishments, employing 49,067 people with an annual payroll of $2.30 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 Johnston County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 8,227 jobs, 13.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 61,005 jobs at an average annual pay of $55,305, or $1,064 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Johnston County?
144 7(a) approvals totaling $82.0 m since FY2020, across 55 lenders, with a median approval of $260,450, plus 17 504 approvals worth $20.0 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Johnston County?
2,783 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $860.4 m. Multifamily was 0.3 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Johnston 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 Johnston County come from?
The largest single origin is Wake County, with 3,649 households. Arriving households report an average income of $64,727 against $59,777 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Johnston 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 Johnston 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.
Johnston County
Cities and places in Johnston.
11 Census places lie wholly or partly in Johnston County. All 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | town | 29,320 | 62 | Wholly in this county |
| Smithfield | town | 12,116 | 32 | Wholly in this county |
| Selma | town | 6,817 | 13 | Wholly in this county |
| Archer Lodge | town | 5,186 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Benson | town | 4,282 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Wilson's Mills | town | 2,753 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Four Oaks | town | 2,459 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Kenly | town | 2,359 | 2 | 96.0 percent here, 4.0 percent Wilson County |
| Pine Level | town | 2,031 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Princeton | town | 1,658 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Micro | town | 573 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 19 of the county's 144 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Johnston County, the largest being Garner (15), Raleigh (3), Wendell (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.