Surry County, North Carolina

A strategic advantage for your business!

Talent attraction and retention have been the hottest topics in economic development for several years. Since the COVID 19 pandemic, the labor force has changed dramatically. More people have retired or just quit work. Others have changed jobs or moved. There are more jobs available in the US than there are people to take them, and that is becoming more true for our community. If you have an interest in making our community a place where we can keep the people we have and attract new ones, read this report. Surry County is very fortunate to be a great place to live, but we need to always work to improve and make ourselves a welcoming and attractive place to others.

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Quick Facts

Surry County is on the edge of one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas of the East Coast which offers citizens access to urban amenities and cultural attractions.

The Surry County/Mount Airy airport has a runway length of 5,500 feet.

Surry County is approximately 300 miles from four ports on the east coast; Norfolk, VA, Morehead City, NC, Wilmington, NC and Charleston, SC.

In Surry County you have about an hour’s drive time to the Piedmont Triad International Airport and one hour and 30 minutes from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Surry County is 538 square miles that include four rivers, the Mitchell, Ararat, Fisher, and Yadkin Rivers.

Surry County has two hospitals that provide regional health care. Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy and Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin.

Surry News

Surry EDP 2023 Impact Report

2023 Impact Report Surry EDP 2023 Impact Report can be found here: On a New Path We are excited to push forward with a new strategic plan, new staff, and renewed excitement for what we can do to impact the community we serve. If you'd like to discuss our plan of...

Surry Video

County Demographics

Population, 2020 71,359% 71,359%
Unemployment Rate, May 2022 3.5% 3.5%
Labor Force, May 2022 32,057% 32,057%
Number Unemployed, May 2022 persons 1,116% persons 1,116%
Average Weekly Wage, 4th Q 2021 $ 818 % $ 818 %
2021-2022 Surry County Property Tax Rate (per $100) $0.552% $0.552%
County Building Permits Issued, 2021 $121,573,528% $121,573,528%
Gross Retail Sales, May 2022 $1,283,374,367 % $1,283,374,367 %

Median Household Income, 2020 $ 44,979% $ 44,979%
Per Capita Income, 2020 $26,074% $26,074%
Crime Rate, 2018 (per 100,000) persons 89% persons 89%
Tourism Expenditures, 2020 $1,136,990,000 % $1,136,990,000 %
2022 Tier Designation 2% 2%
Land Area sq mi 532 % sq mi 532 %
Persons Per Square Mile, 2020 persons 134.0% persons 134.0%
2020 Median Age 44% 44%

Contact Us

Surry County Economic Development Partnership Inc. 1218 State St., Mt. Airy NC 27030
PO BOX 7128
336.401.9900

Latest Stories

Surry EDP 2023 Impact Report

2023 Impact Report Surry EDP 2023 Impact Report can be found here: On a New Path We are excited to push forward with a new strategic plan, new staff, and renewed excitement for what we can do to impact the community we serve. If you'd like to discuss our plan of...

Thailand Ambassador Visits Mount Airy

Surry County was honored to welcome a visit from the Royal Thai Embassy with Ambassador Tanee Sangrat - whose country has a unique connection to our community. Chang and Eng Bunker were born in 1811 in Siam, now known as Thailand. These twins were conjoined (born with...