HomeNorth CarolinaNash County
Nash County, North Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Nash County, North Carolina had an estimated 97,990 residents on July 1, 2024, up 3.2 percent since the 2020 census base of 94,964, across 540 square miles. County output reached $7.18 bn in 2024, 2,114 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 64 7(a) approvals worth $60.4 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Nash County
How many people live in Nash County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202496,216
- Households38,797
- Average household size2.48
- Median household income$62,426
- Median age41.5
- Median gross rent$953 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$191,000
- Home value to household income3.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher22.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree7.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over67,324
- Population under 1821,210
- Share under 1822.0 percent
- Population 65 and over18,623
- Share 65 and over19.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6456,383
- Civilian labor force46,008
- Unemployment rate4.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over61.3 percent
- Rank by population among North Carolina counties30th of 100
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included641st of 3,222
Nash County is the 30th largest of 100 North Carolina counties by population. A median home costs 3.1 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.0 percent against 19.4 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Nash County
Is Nash County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202497,990
- Census 2020 base population94,964
- Population change since the 2020 census base3.19 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20241,194
- Births, 20241,075
- Deaths, 20241,139
- Natural change, 2024-64
- Net domestic migration, 20241,138
- Net international migration, 2024135
- Total net migration, 20241,273
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20243,017
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents829th of 3,144
The county has grown 3.19 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.
Nash County
Where are people moving to Nash County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving2,845
- People arriving, from those returns5,325
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,476
- Net household movement369
- Adjusted gross income arriving$143.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$3.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$50,343
- Average income of a leaving household$56,332
- Largest single originWake County (529 households)
- Largest single destinationEdgecombe County (433 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 529 | 1,009 | $28.1 m |
| Edgecombe County | 455 | 935 | $13.3 m |
| Wilson County | 273 | 526 | $14.7 m |
| Johnston County | 135 | 282 | $8.2 m |
| Halifax County | 126 | 262 | $5.3 m |
| Franklin County | 95 | 195 | $4.1 m |
| Pitt County | 90 | 147 | $3.9 m |
| Durham County | 44 | 67 | $2.2 m |
Households arriving report $5,989 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. 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.
Nash County
What is the Nash County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$7.18 bn
- County GDP, 2023$6.76 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20246.2 percent
- GDP change over five years35.3 percent
- Rank by GDP among the North Carolina areas BEA publishes21st of 100
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes572nd of 3,127
- GDP per resident$74,610
Output grew 6.2 percent in the latest year and 35.3 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.
Nash County
Employment by industry in Nash County
- Covered employment, annual average39,498
- Establishments reporting2,447
- Average annual pay$54,440
- Average weekly wage$1,047
- Manufacturing, employment7,920
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$74,222
- Retail trade, employment5,011
- Retail trade, average annual pay$33,157
- Accommodation and food services, employment3,749
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$20,712
- Health care and social assistance, employment3,699
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$47,692
- Wholesale trade, employment2,477
- Construction, employment2,148
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 7,920 | 92 | $74,222 |
| Retail trade | 5,011 | 388 | $33,157 |
| Accommodation and food services | 3,749 | 212 | $20,712 |
| Health care and social assistance | 3,699 | 268 | $47,692 |
| Wholesale trade | 2,477 | 138 | $67,242 |
| Construction | 2,148 | 234 | $67,811 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,692 | 180 | $35,927 |
| Other services, except public administration | 1,021 | 171 | $47,841 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 7,920 jobs, 20.1 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Nash County
How many businesses are in Nash County?
- Establishments, all industries2,114
- Employment at those establishments38,350
- Annual payroll$1.87 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents22.0
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.
Nash County
Building permits in Nash County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024500
- Declared construction value permitted$97.1 m
- Single family units authorized500
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$194,272
- Units authorized per 1,000 households12.9
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.
Nash County
SBA loans in Nash County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded64
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$60.4 m
- Average 7(a) approval$943,831
- Median 7(a) approval$436,000
- 10th percentile approval$50,000
- 90th percentile approval$2,300,000
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)989
- Jobs per approval15.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active29
- Distinct industries receiving approvals40
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer31.3 percent
- Loans on real estate terms20
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter39
- Franchise loans16
- Franchise share of approvals25.0 percent
- Leading industry by approval countHotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (7)
- 504 approvals recorded11
- 504 gross approval dollars$15.0 m
- Average 504 approval$1,367,182
- Median 504 approval$619,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval16.0
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved11.7
- Most active CDCBusiness Expansion Funding Corporation (6)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$75.4 m
The average approval of $943,831 sits well above the median of $436,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. 31.3 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.
Nash County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Nash County
Do SBA loans in Nash County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded8
- Paid in full7
- Charged off1
- Status: Paid in full7
- Status: Exempt from disclosure41
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed5
- Status: Cancelled10
Only 8 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.
Nash County
SBA lending by place in Nash County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending6
- Rocky Mount, approvals36
- Nashville, approvals14
- Battleboro, approvals6
- Middlesex, approvals3
- Spring Hope, approvals3
- Sharpsburg, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 36 | $23,065,300 |
| Nashville | 14 | $24,044,300 |
| Battleboro | 6 | $7,238,200 |
| Middlesex | 3 | $2,349,200 |
| Spring Hope | 3 | $2,286,200 |
| Sharpsburg | 2 | $1,422,000 |
Rocky Mount accounts for 36 approvals against 14 in Nashville. 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.
Nash County
How large is Nash County?
- Land area540 sq mi
- Rank by land area among North Carolina counties32nd of 100
- Width, east to west31.2 mi
- Height, north to south32.6 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land178
- Establishments per square mile3.91
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.
Nash County
Flood risk in Nash County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Nash County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 370278
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book11
- Of those, participating in the NFIP11
- 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 6
- Communities carrying a CRS class2
- Radon levels in Nash 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 Nash County (community 370278), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Nash 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 6, 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 Nash 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 Nash County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202496,216
- Households38,797
- Average household size2.48
- Median household income$62,426
- Median age41.5
Common questions
Nash County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Nash County, North Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 97,990 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 96,216, in 38,797 households, ranking 30th of 100 North Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Nash County's population growing?
The population has grown 3.19 percent since the 2020 census base of 94,964, to 97,990 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,075 births against 1,139 deaths, with net migration of 1,273. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Nash County?
$62,426. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $191,000, which is 3.1 times income, and median gross rent is $953 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Nash County?
2,114 establishments, employing 38,350 people with an annual payroll of $1.87 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 Nash County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 7,920 jobs, 20.1 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 39,498 jobs at an average annual pay of $54,440, or $1,047 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Nash County?
64 7(a) approvals totaling $60.4 m since FY2020, across 29 lenders, with a median approval of $436,000, plus 11 504 approvals worth $15.0 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Nash County?
500 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $97.1 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Nash 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 Nash County come from?
The largest single origin is Wake County, with 529 households. Arriving households report an average income of $50,343 against $56,332 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Nash 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 Nash 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.
Nash County
Cities and places in Nash.
12 Census places lie wholly or partly in Nash 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | city | 54,297 | 36 | 69.1 percent here, 30.9 percent Edgecombe County |
| Nashville | town | 5,729 | 14 | Wholly in this county |
| Red Oak | town | 3,405 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Sharpsburg | town | 1,605 | 2 | 58.0 percent here, 21.7 percent Wilson County, 20.3 percent Edgecombe County |
| Spring Hope | town | 1,387 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Elm City | town | 1,292 | None recorded | 2.7 percent here, 97.3 percent Wilson County |
| Dortches | town | 1,158 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Middlesex | town | 867 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Whitakers | town | 494 | None recorded | 52.1 percent here, 47.9 percent Edgecombe County |
| Bailey | town | 422 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Momeyer | town | 398 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Castalia | town | 247 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 6 of the county's 64 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Nash County, the largest being Battleboro (6). 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.