HomeNorth CarolinaLincoln County
Lincoln County, North Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Lincoln County, North Carolina had an estimated 97,611 residents on July 1, 2024, up 12.4 percent since the 2020 census base of 86,812, across 298 square miles. County output reached $4.74 bn in 2024, 2,081 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 73 7(a) approvals worth $42.9 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Lincoln County
How many people live in Lincoln County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202492,716
- Households36,811
- Average household size2.52
- Median household income$80,016
- Median age44.4
- Median gross rent$1,015 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$321,000
- Home value to household income4.0 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income15.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher28.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree8.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over66,838
- Population under 1819,131
- Share under 1820.6 percent
- Population 65 and over18,062
- Share 65 and over19.5 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6455,523
- Civilian labor force46,238
- Unemployment rate3.3 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over62.8 percent
- Rank by population among North Carolina counties31st of 100
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included659th of 3,222
Lincoln County is the 31st largest of 100 North Carolina counties by population. A median home costs 4.0 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 20.6 percent against 19.5 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Lincoln County
Is Lincoln County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202497,611
- Census 2020 base population86,812
- Population change since the 2020 census base12.44 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20241,825
- Births, 2024952
- Deaths, 20241,000
- Natural change, 2024-48
- Net domestic migration, 20241,575
- Net international migration, 2024294
- Total net migration, 20241,869
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 202410,035
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents100th of 3,144
The county has grown 12.44 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.
Lincoln County
Where are people moving to Lincoln County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving3,626
- People arriving, from those returns6,877
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,459
- Net household movement1,167
- Adjusted gross income arriving$318.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$137.3 m
- Average income of an arriving household$87,755
- Average income of a leaving household$73,567
- Largest single originMecklenburg County (806 households)
- Largest single destinationCatawba County (448 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mecklenburg County | 806 | 1,545 | $84.7 m |
| Gaston County | 556 | 1,105 | $30.2 m |
| Catawba County | 364 | 675 | $22.3 m |
| Iredell County | 138 | 278 | $13.2 m |
| Cabarrus County | 88 | 171 | $6.5 m |
| Cleveland County | 73 | 131 | $3.3 m |
| York County | 43 | 68 | $2.5 m |
| Wake County | 37 | 68 | $4.2 m |
Households arriving report $14,188 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 Mecklenburg 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.
Lincoln County
What is the Lincoln County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$4.74 bn
- County GDP, 2023$4.32 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20249.8 percent
- GDP change over five years50.8 percent
- Rank by GDP among the North Carolina areas BEA publishes32nd of 100
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes736th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$51,176
Output grew 9.8 percent in the latest year and 50.8 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.
Lincoln County
Employment by industry in Lincoln County
- Covered employment, annual average28,110
- Establishments reporting2,604
- Average annual pay$55,677
- Average weekly wage$1,071
- Manufacturing, employment4,995
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$65,257
- Retail trade, employment3,650
- Retail trade, average annual pay$31,880
- Accommodation and food services, employment2,667
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$21,484
- Construction, employment2,199
- Construction, average annual pay$68,644
- Health care and social assistance, employment1,639
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment1,612
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 4,995 | 121 | $65,257 |
| Retail trade | 3,650 | 282 | $31,880 |
| Accommodation and food services | 2,667 | 158 | $21,484 |
| Construction | 2,199 | 372 | $68,644 |
| Health care and social assistance | 1,639 | 178 | $54,490 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,612 | 212 | $52,964 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,401 | 100 | $60,650 |
| Wholesale trade | 1,147 | 159 | $73,867 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 4,995 jobs, 17.8 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Lincoln County
How many businesses are in Lincoln County?
- Establishments, all industries2,081
- Employment at those establishments23,461
- Annual payroll$1.10 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents22.4
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.
Lincoln County
Building permits in Lincoln County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024697
- Declared construction value permitted$194.0 m
- Single family units authorized697
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$278,292
- Units authorized per 1,000 households18.9
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.
Lincoln County
SBA loans in Lincoln County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded73
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$42.9 m
- Average 7(a) approval$587,911
- Median 7(a) approval$215,000
- 10th percentile approval$35,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,677,440
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)545
- Jobs per approval7.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active31
- Distinct industries receiving approvals55
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer19.2 percent
- Loans on real estate terms14
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter57
- Franchise loans17
- Franchise share of approvals23.3 percent
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (7)
- 504 approvals recorded18
- 504 gross approval dollars$13.9 m
- Average 504 approval$770,667
- Median 504 approval$713,500
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval8.3
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved10.7
- Most active CDCBusiness Expansion Funding Corporation (12)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$56.8 m
The average approval of $587,911 sits well above the median of $215,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 19.2 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.
Lincoln County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Lincoln County
Do SBA loans in Lincoln County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded9
- Paid in full9
- Charged off0
- Status: Paid in full9
- Status: Cancelled6
- Status: Exempt from disclosure55
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed3
Only 9 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.
Lincoln County
SBA lending by place in Lincoln County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending6
- Denver, approvals44
- Lincolnton, approvals20
- Stanley, approvals4
- Vale, approvals3
- Maiden, approvals1
- Iron Station, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 44 | $27,771,500 |
| Lincolnton | 20 | $10,986,900 |
| Stanley | 4 | $895,000 |
| Vale | 3 | $670,000 |
| Maiden | 1 | $2,022,900 |
| Iron Station | 1 | $571,200 |
Denver accounts for 44 approvals against 20 in Lincolnton. 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.
Lincoln County
How large is Lincoln County?
- Land area298 sq mi
- Rank by land area among North Carolina counties82nd of 100
- Width, east to west33.3 mi
- Height, north to south11.6 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land311
- Establishments per square mile6.98
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.
Lincoln County
Flood risk in Lincoln County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Lincoln County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 370146
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County (community 370146), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Lincoln 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. 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202492,716
- Households36,811
- Average household size2.52
- Median household income$80,016
- Median age44.4
Common questions
Lincoln County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Lincoln County, North Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 97,611 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 92,716, in 36,811 households, ranking 31st of 100 North Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Lincoln County's population growing?
The population has grown 12.44 percent since the 2020 census base of 86,812, to 97,611 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 952 births against 1,000 deaths, with net migration of 1,869. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Lincoln County?
$80,016. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $321,000, which is 4.0 times income, and median gross rent is $1,015 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Lincoln County?
2,081 establishments, employing 23,461 people with an annual payroll of $1.10 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 Lincoln County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 4,995 jobs, 17.8 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 28,110 jobs at an average annual pay of $55,677, or $1,071 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Lincoln County?
73 7(a) approvals totaling $42.9 m since FY2020, across 31 lenders, with a median approval of $215,000, plus 18 504 approvals worth $13.9 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Lincoln County?
697 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $194.0 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County come from?
The largest single origin is Mecklenburg County, with 806 households. Arriving households report an average income of $87,755 against $73,567 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.
Lincoln County
Cities and places in Lincoln.
6 Census places lie wholly or partly in Lincoln County. All 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincolnton | city | 11,783 | 20 | Wholly in this county |
| Westport | CDP | 5,915 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lowesville | CDP | 3,874 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Denver | CDP | 2,497 | 44 | Wholly in this county |
| Iron Station | CDP | 934 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Crouse | CDP | 408 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 8 of the county's 73 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Lincoln County, the largest being Stanley (4), Vale (3), Maiden (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.