Small-town market profile · North Carolina
Mount Airy, NC area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Mount Airy area, each scored against other small-town markets.
- Population, 2025
- 72,287
- +1.3% since 2020
- Households
- 29,869
- Median household income
- $55,656
- +27.7% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $177,600
- Jobs located here
- 28,742
- Highest market score
- 76
- Funeral homes, #42 of 365 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Mount Airy area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Mount Airy area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 72,287 people live in the Mount Airy area, in 29,869 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Mount Airy area from 2020 to 2025 at +1.3%, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in the Mount Airy area is $55,656 a year, 31% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 27.7% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Mount Airy area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 147, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (55).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Mount Airy area are for funeral homes (76), house cleaning businesses (71) and insurance agencies (69). The Mount Airy area ranks #42 of 365 scored small-town markets for funeral homes.
The Mount Airy area is made up of one county, Surry County. For its number of households, the Mount Airy area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for car washes and detailers (95% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate businesses (47% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Mount Airy area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Mount Airy area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral homes | 76 | #42 of 365 | 6 | 2.0 | $804K | 118 | 6 |
| House cleaning | 71 | #19 of 142 | 5 | 1.7 | $7.7M | 120 | 10 |
| Insurance agencies | 69 | #106 of 537 | 37 | 12.4 | $2.3M | 185 | 37 |
| Gas stations | 68 | #90 of 536 | 48 | 16.1 | $2.1M | 88 | 39 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 66 | #78 of 387 | 11 | 3.7 | $2M | 80 | 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 63 | #106 of 399 | 13 | 4.4 | $2.9M | 101 | 23 |
| Chiropractors | 62 | #123 of 426 | 11 | 3.7 | $2.6M | 110 | 4 |
| Pest control | 61 | #26 of 85 | 6 | 2.0 | $6.4M | 62 | 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 59 | #51 of 177 | 6 | 2.0 | Index only | 171 | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | 59 | #149 of 431 | 9 | 3.0 | $3.4M | 134 | 9 |
| Physical therapy | 57 | #153 of 400 | 10 | 3.3 | $2.9M | 121 | 7 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 57 | #188 of 535 | 26 | 8.7 | $623K | 94 | 4 |
| Convenience stores | 56 | #229 of 529 | 33 | 11.0 | $4.9M | 63 | 3 |
| Pet stores | 55 | #86 of 220 | 7 | 2.3 | $3.2M | 71 | Under 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 54 | #198 of 481 | 24 | 8.0 | $1.6M | 95 | 36 |
| Gyms | 54 | #223 of 506 | 16 | 5.4 | $1M | 78 | 4 |
| Roofing and gutters | 53 | #124 of 288 | 10 | 3.3 | $7.4M | 87 | 4 |
| Real estate | 53 | #229 of 536 | 61 | 20.4 | Index only | 152 | 21 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 51 | #248 of 533 | 52 | 17.4 | Index only | 141 | 12 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 49 | #198 of 378 | 8 | 2.7 | $2M | 100 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | 49 | #211 of 398 | 12 | 4.0 | $1.9M | 69 | 9 |
| Car washes and detailing | 48 | #237 of 441 | 22 | 7.4 | $1.4M | 55 | 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 46 | #228 of 387 | 14 | 4.7 | $2.2M | 70 | 8 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 46 | #304 of 529 | 28 | 9.4 | $3.4M | 92 | 13 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 46 | #323 of 538 | 76 | 25.4 | $2.1M | 63 | 15 |
| Barbershops | 45 | #225 of 377 | 11 | 3.7 | $2.1M | 111 | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 45 | #246 of 400 | 10 | 3.3 | $2.9M | 93 | 7 |
| Home repair trades | 45 | #326 of 526 | 34 | 11.4 | $2.2M | 89 | 50 |
| Pizza | 43 | #322 of 520 | 27 | 9.0 | $3.5M | 69 | 53 |
| Auto repair shops | 43 | #353 of 538 | 89 | 29.8 | $340K | 77 | 34 |
| Child care and preschools | 42 | #306 of 454 | 18 | 6.0 | $562K | 56 | 14 |
| Pet businesses | 42 | #368 of 527 | 44 | 14.7 | $508K | 58 | 12 |
| Auto repair and car care | 41 | #368 of 538 | 149 | 49.9 | $203K | 76 | 50 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 39 | #321 of 458 | 17 | 5.7 | $1.7M | 96 | 44 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 38 | #377 of 536 | 53 | 17.7 | $917K | 72 | 17 |
| Spas and skin care | 38 | #387 of 504 | 23 | 7.7 | $997K | 114 | Under 3 |
| Grocery stores | 37 | #378 of 506 | 29 | 9.7 | $5.6M | 61 | 12 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 36 | #436 of 538 | 132 | 44.2 | $174K | 82 | 15 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 35 | #384 of 476 | 21 | 7.0 | $3.5M | 74 | 31 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 34 | #417 of 536 | 69 | 23.1 | $704K | 80 | 24 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 34 | #430 of 538 | 153 | 51.2 | $623K | 94 | 65 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 33 | #432 of 537 | 55 | 18.4 | $1.7M | 57 | 53 |
| Nail salons | 32 | #315 of 387 | 16 | 5.4 | $1.4M | 86 | Under 3 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 32 | #443 of 538 | 316 | 105.8 | $302K | 81 | 133 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 31 | #443 of 507 | 33 | 11.0 | $2.9M | 70 | 16 |
| Hair salons | 30 | #476 of 538 | 82 | 27.5 | $280K | 65 | 11 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 29 | #462 of 526 | 36 | 12.1 | $806K | 82 | 22 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 29 | #464 of 538 | 241 | 80.7 | $120K | 79 | 84 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 5 | 1.7 | $9.7M | 62 | 4 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.0 | $24.5M | 204 | 15 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.0 | $16.2M | 130 | 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.0 | Index only | 240 | 7 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.7 | $15.1M | Too few | 4 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.7 | $8.1M | Too few | 4 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Mount Airy area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $30.3M | $1,014 | 106 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $100.3M | $3,356 | 129 |
| Food away from home | $95.3M | $3,191 | 78 |
| Groceries | $163.2M | $5,465 | 86 |
| Personal care products and services | $22.9M | $768 | 76 |
| Child care and other personal services | $10.1M | $339 | 58 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $16.2M | $542 | 55 |
| Medical and dental services | $29M | $971 | 75 |
| Pets | $22.4M | $749 | 82 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $48.6M | $1,627 | 79 |
| Vehicle insurance | $86M | $2,880 | 147 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $73.6M | $2,464 | 82 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $38.3M | $1,282 | 91 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $400.5M | $13,409 | 80 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Mount Airy area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 72,287+1.3% since 2020
- Households
- 29,869
- Median age
- 44.0
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 73%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.2
- Land area
- 533 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 134
- Median household income
- $55,656+27.7% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $76,579
- Median home value
- $177,600
- Jobs located here
- 28,742
- Daytime population
- 70,148Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Mount Airy area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Mount Airy area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Mount Airy area 1
- Surry County, NC71,425 people
Other markets based in North Carolina 12
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area2,768,407 people
- Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area1,487,302 people
- Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area786,419 people
- Winston-Salem, NC metro area689,766 people
- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area601,724 people
- Wilmington, NC metro area453,347 people
- Asheville, NC metro area414,711 people
- Fayetteville, NC metro area392,380 people
- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area368,316 people
- Jacksonville, NC metro area207,906 people
- Greenville, NC metro area177,193 people
- Burlington, NC metro area176,893 people
Questions
How fast is the Mount Airy, NC area growing?
Population estimates put the Mount Airy area at 72,287 people in 2025, up 1.3% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 29,869 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 27.7%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Mount Airy, NC area spend?
Households in the Mount Airy area spend about $400.5M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $163.2M on groceries and $100.3M on gasoline and other fuels. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Mount Airy area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 147, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (55).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Mount Airy, NC area?
Of the business types scored in the Mount Airy area, funeral homes (76), house cleaning businesses (71) and insurance agencies (69) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For funeral homes, that ranks #42 of 365 scored small-town markets.
How does the Mount Airy, NC area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Mount Airy area is $55,656, 31% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 1.3% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $177,600, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for car washes and detailers (95% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate businesses (47% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 48 of the 56 business types have a score in the Mount Airy area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Mount Airy area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in North Carolina · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Mount Airy area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Mount Airy area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.