Guilford
North Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Guilford County: homeownership is in the bottom 7% of American counties (60%), home internet speed is in the top 14% of American counties (275 Mbps), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 14% of American counties (86 of 100). Within North Carolina it ranks 9th of 100 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Guilford County, North Carolina. 539,557 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +661).

North Carolina has a flat income tax that is being cut each year, 3.99% for 2026 after 4.25% in 2025, with 3.49% scheduled for 2027 if revenue triggers are met, and it does not tax Social Security. Property taxes are moderate and reassessments happen every four to eight years by county. The Research Triangle and Charlotte have driven a decade of in-migration; the mountains and the Outer Banks are second-home markets with hurricane and flood exposure on the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $62,880 a year, higher than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,546. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 72% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,509 a year.

Home

The median home costs $280K, pricier than 64% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,021 a month. Property tax is 0.92% of home value, roughly $1,982 a year on that median home, higher than 55% of American counties. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 84% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 30 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.7 years, longer than 60% of American counties. There are 1,557 active physicians in the county, about 28.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.5 of 5 stars. 10.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.01 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 53% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 23 points. 73% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Carolina law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 70 and lows near 49, warmer than 66% of American counties. About 46 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 86 out of 100, riskier than 86% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 275 Mbps down, faster than 86% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 9 breweries, 12 museums, 1 National Park Service site.