North Carolina Economy

North Carolina includes 4 completed county profiles in LocalEconomyData. This region page compares county expansion markets by workforce scale, education, cost signals, industry fit, and market access. The goal is not to pick one universal winner, but to help businesses identify which counties deserve deeper diligence based on the operating model.

Top counties by expansion score

Wake County

North Carolina

77Strong expansion market

Wake County, North Carolina is a high-growth Research Triangle expansion market with particular relevance for software & ai, life sciences, professional services. It offers a increasing-cost operating profile relative to larger coastal metros, while still giving companies access to labor, customers, institutions, and transportation corridors that matter for growth. The county is best understood as a screening candidate: its headline score points to opportunity, but the right decision depends on the company's industry, facility needs, hiring plan, customer geography, and tolerance for cost and execution complexity.

software aifinance insurancelife sciences

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Mecklenburg County

North Carolina

74Strong expansion market

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina is a large Sun Belt corporate metro expansion market with particular relevance for finance, software & ai, logistics. It offers a moderate-to-increasing-cost operating profile relative to larger coastal metros, while still giving companies access to labor, customers, institutions, and transportation corridors that matter for growth. The county is best understood as a screening candidate: its headline score points to opportunity, but the right decision depends on the company's industry, facility needs, hiring plan, customer geography, and tolerance for cost and execution complexity.

professional servicesfinance insurancesoftware ai

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Durham County

North Carolina

57Selective opportunity market

Durham County, North Carolina is a innovation and life-sciences hub expansion market with particular relevance for life sciences, software & ai, healthcare. It offers a increasing-cost operating profile relative to larger coastal metros, while still giving companies access to labor, customers, institutions, and transportation corridors that matter for growth. The county is best understood as a screening candidate: its headline score points to opportunity, but the right decision depends on the company's industry, facility needs, hiring plan, customer geography, and tolerance for cost and execution complexity.

life sciencessoftware aihealthcare services

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Guilford County

North Carolina

53Caution market

Guilford County, North Carolina is a cost-competitive logistics and manufacturing market expansion market with particular relevance for advanced manufacturing, logistics, healthcare. It offers a lower-cost operating profile relative to larger coastal metros, while still giving companies access to labor, customers, institutions, and transportation corridors that matter for growth. The county is best understood as a screening candidate: its headline score points to opportunity, but the right decision depends on the company's industry, facility needs, hiring plan, customer geography, and tolerance for cost and execution complexity.

logisticsenergy infrastructureadvanced manufacturing

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Cost and talent tradeoff

Counties in North Carolina differ in both talent depth and cost pressure. Higher-scoring counties often combine larger labor pools, stronger education levels, and better market access, but those same advantages can increase wage and real estate pressure. Lower-cost counties can be better for logistics, operations, manufacturing, and back-office expansion if they still meet workforce and site requirements.

Companies should use the regional ranking to build a short list, then compare occupation-level labor availability, commercial real estate, transportation, utilities, tax exposure, incentives, and permitting conditions. The best county for a software headquarters may not be the best county for a distribution center, lab, clinic network, contractor office, or manufacturing operation.

Best counties by industry

Life Sciences

Rank	County	Life Sciences score	Best uses
#1	Snohomish County, Washington	79	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#2	Multnomah County, Oregon	79	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#3	Washington County, Oregon	79	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#4	Wake County, North Carolina	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Professional services
#5	Los Angeles County, California	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#6	San Diego County, California	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#7	Orange County, California	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#8	Alameda County, California	77	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#9	Montgomery County, Maryland	75	Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare
#10	Fairfax County, Virginia	75	Federal contracting, Software, Cybersecurity
#11	Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania	75	Healthcare, Life sciences, Professional services
#12	King County, Washington	75	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#13	Santa Clara County, California	73	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#14	Fairfield County, Connecticut	69	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#15	Montgomery County, Pennsylvania	68	Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare
#16	Mecklenburg County, North Carolina	66	Finance, Software & AI, Logistics
#17	Tarrant County, Texas	66	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#18	Bexar County, Texas	66	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#19	District of Columbia, District of Columbia	65	Federal government, Professional services, Policy
#20	Harris County, Texas	65	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#21	Dallas County, Texas	65	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#22	Kings County, New York	65	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#23	Erie County, New York	65	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#24	Monroe County, New York	65	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#25	Travis County, Texas	64	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#26	Collin County, Texas	64	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#27	Durham County, North Carolina	63	Life sciences, Software & AI, Healthcare
#28	Middlesex County, Massachusetts	62	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#29	Suffolk County, Massachusetts	62	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#30	Prince George's County, Maryland	61	Logistics, Healthcare, Federal facilities
#31	Arlington County, Virginia	61	Federal contracting, Software, Professional services
#32	Howard County, Maryland	59	Professional services, Software, Healthcare
#33	Gwinnett County, Georgia	59	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#34	Pima County, Arizona	59	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#35	Baltimore County, Maryland	58	Healthcare, Education, Logistics
#36	Chatham County, Georgia	58	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#37	Orange County, Florida	58	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#38	Hillsborough County, Florida	58	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#39	Duval County, Florida	58	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#40	Maricopa County, Arizona	58	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#41	Arapahoe County, Colorado	58	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#42	Loudoun County, Virginia	57	Data centers, Software infrastructure, Federal contracting
#43	Cobb County, Georgia	57	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#44	Miami-Dade County, Florida	57	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#45	Pinellas County, Florida	57	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#46	Jefferson County, Colorado	57	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#47	Frederick County, Maryland	56	Life sciences, Advanced manufacturing, Logistics
#48	Mercer County, New Jersey	56	Professional services, Life sciences, Government
#49	Anne Arundel County, Maryland	55	Logistics, Federal facilities, Healthcare
#50	New Castle County, Delaware	55	Finance, Logistics, Life sciences
#51	Fulton County, Georgia	55	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#52	Denver County, Colorado	55	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#53	Wayne County, Michigan	55	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#54	New York County, New York	55	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#55	Baltimore City, Maryland	54	Healthcare, Education, Port logistics
#56	Bucks County, Pennsylvania	54	Manufacturing, Healthcare, Professional services
#57	Franklin County, Ohio	54	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#58	Jackson County, Missouri	54	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#59	Alexandria City, Virginia	53	Professional services, Federal support, Healthcare
#60	Cook County, Illinois	53	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#61	Marion County, Indiana	53	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#62	Kent County, Michigan	53	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#63	Cuyahoga County, Ohio	53	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#64	Prince William County, Virginia	52	Logistics, Construction, Federal support
#65	Delaware County, Pennsylvania	52	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#66	DuPage County, Illinois	52	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#67	Charlottesville City, Virginia	51	Education & Research, Healthcare, Software & AI
#68	Hamilton County, Indiana	51	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#69	Albemarle County, Virginia	50	Education & Research, Healthcare, Professional services
#70	Camden County, New Jersey	49	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#71	Henrico County, Virginia	47	Professional services, Logistics, Healthcare
#72	Richmond City, Virginia	45	Professional services, Finance, Healthcare
#73	Guilford County, North Carolina	45	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#74	Chesterfield County, Virginia	44	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#75	Virginia Beach City, Virginia	44	Defense support, Healthcare, Professional services
#76	Harford County, Maryland	41	Defense support, Advanced manufacturing, Logistics
#77	Stafford County, Virginia	40	Federal support, Logistics, Professional services
#78	Charles County, Maryland	38	Federal support, Logistics, Healthcare
#79	Norfolk City, Virginia	38	Defense support, Logistics, Healthcare
#80	Carroll County, Maryland	37	Construction, Healthcare, Professional services
#81	Roanoke County, Virginia	36	Healthcare, Logistics, Advanced manufacturing
#82	St. Mary's County, Maryland	35	Federal support, Defense aviation, Advanced manufacturing
#83	Spotsylvania County, Virginia	35	Logistics, Healthcare, Construction
#84	Roanoke City, Virginia	35	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#85	Calvert County, Maryland	34	Energy & Infrastructure, Healthcare, Federal support
#86	Frederick County, Virginia	34	Logistics, Manufacturing, Professional services
#87	Queen Anne's County, Maryland	33	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#88	Wicomico County, Maryland	32	Healthcare, Food production, Logistics
#89	Winchester City, Virginia	32	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#90	Washington County, Maryland	31	Logistics, Manufacturing, Healthcare
#91	Talbot County, Maryland	31	Healthcare, Tourism, Professional services

Federal Contracting

Rank	County	Federal Contracting score	Best uses
#1	Fairfax County, Virginia	82	Federal contracting, Software, Cybersecurity
#2	District of Columbia, District of Columbia	73	Federal government, Professional services, Policy
#3	Montgomery County, Maryland	72	Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare
#4	Arlington County, Virginia	69	Federal contracting, Software, Professional services
#5	Wake County, North Carolina	68	Software & AI, Life sciences, Professional services
#6	Los Angeles County, California	68	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#7	San Diego County, California	68	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#8	Snohomish County, Washington	68	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#9	Multnomah County, Oregon	68	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#10	Washington County, Oregon	68	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#11	Orange County, California	67	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#12	Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania	66	Healthcare, Life sciences, Professional services
#13	Alameda County, California	66	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#14	King County, Washington	65	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#15	Fairfield County, Connecticut	65	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#16	Prince George's County, Maryland	64	Logistics, Healthcare, Federal facilities
#17	Loudoun County, Virginia	64	Data centers, Software infrastructure, Federal contracting
#18	Mecklenburg County, North Carolina	64	Finance, Software & AI, Logistics
#19	Bexar County, Texas	64	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#20	Harris County, Texas	63	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#21	Tarrant County, Texas	63	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#22	Santa Clara County, California	63	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#23	Dallas County, Texas	62	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#24	Collin County, Texas	62	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#25	Travis County, Texas	61	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#26	Alexandria City, Virginia	60	Professional services, Federal support, Healthcare
#27	Kings County, New York	60	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#28	Erie County, New York	60	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#29	Monroe County, New York	60	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#30	Howard County, Maryland	59	Professional services, Software, Healthcare
#31	Montgomery County, Pennsylvania	59	Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare
#32	Anne Arundel County, Maryland	57	Logistics, Federal facilities, Healthcare
#33	Baltimore County, Maryland	57	Healthcare, Education, Logistics
#34	Prince William County, Virginia	57	Logistics, Construction, Federal support
#35	Gwinnett County, Georgia	57	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#36	Middlesex County, Massachusetts	57	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#37	Suffolk County, Massachusetts	57	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#38	Chatham County, Georgia	56	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#39	Orange County, Florida	56	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#40	Hillsborough County, Florida	56	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#41	Duval County, Florida	56	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#42	Virginia Beach City, Virginia	55	Defense support, Healthcare, Professional services
#43	Cobb County, Georgia	55	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#44	Miami-Dade County, Florida	55	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#45	Pinellas County, Florida	55	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#46	Maricopa County, Arizona	55	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#47	Pima County, Arizona	55	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#48	Arapahoe County, Colorado	54	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#49	Fulton County, Georgia	53	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#50	Jefferson County, Colorado	53	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#51	Wayne County, Michigan	53	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#52	Jackson County, Missouri	53	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#53	Marion County, Indiana	52	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#54	Kent County, Michigan	52	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#55	Franklin County, Ohio	52	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#56	Cuyahoga County, Ohio	52	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#57	Baltimore City, Maryland	51	Healthcare, Education, Port logistics
#58	Mercer County, New Jersey	51	Professional services, Life sciences, Government
#59	Durham County, North Carolina	51	Life sciences, Software & AI, Healthcare
#60	Denver County, Colorado	51	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#61	Cook County, Illinois	51	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#62	Frederick County, Maryland	50	Life sciences, Advanced manufacturing, Logistics
#63	Stafford County, Virginia	50	Federal support, Logistics, Professional services
#64	Norfolk City, Virginia	50	Defense support, Logistics, Healthcare
#65	Bucks County, Pennsylvania	50	Manufacturing, Healthcare, Professional services
#66	DuPage County, Illinois	50	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#67	Hamilton County, Indiana	50	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#68	New York County, New York	50	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#69	Harford County, Maryland	49	Defense support, Advanced manufacturing, Logistics
#70	Henrico County, Virginia	49	Professional services, Logistics, Healthcare
#71	Delaware County, Pennsylvania	49	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#72	New Castle County, Delaware	48	Finance, Logistics, Life sciences
#73	St. Mary's County, Maryland	47	Federal support, Defense aviation, Advanced manufacturing
#74	Chesterfield County, Virginia	47	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#75	Richmond City, Virginia	47	Professional services, Finance, Healthcare
#76	Charles County, Maryland	46	Federal support, Logistics, Healthcare
#77	Albemarle County, Virginia	45	Education & Research, Healthcare, Professional services
#78	Camden County, New Jersey	45	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#79	Charlottesville City, Virginia	44	Education & Research, Healthcare, Software & AI
#80	Guilford County, North Carolina	44	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#81	Spotsylvania County, Virginia	42	Logistics, Healthcare, Construction
#82	Carroll County, Maryland	41	Construction, Healthcare, Professional services
#83	Calvert County, Maryland	40	Energy & Infrastructure, Healthcare, Federal support
#84	Frederick County, Virginia	38	Logistics, Manufacturing, Professional services
#85	Roanoke County, Virginia	36	Healthcare, Logistics, Advanced manufacturing
#86	Washington County, Maryland	35	Logistics, Manufacturing, Healthcare
#87	Roanoke City, Virginia	35	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#88	Queen Anne's County, Maryland	34	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#89	Winchester City, Virginia	34	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#90	Wicomico County, Maryland	33	Healthcare, Food production, Logistics
#91	Talbot County, Maryland	31	Healthcare, Tourism, Professional services

Software & AI

Rank	County	Software & AI score	Best uses
#1	Snohomish County, Washington	82	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#2	Multnomah County, Oregon	82	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#3	Los Angeles County, California	81	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#4	San Diego County, California	81	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#5	Orange County, California	81	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#6	Washington County, Oregon	81	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#7	Fairfax County, Virginia	80	Federal contracting, Software, Cybersecurity
#8	Wake County, North Carolina	79	Software & AI, Life sciences, Professional services
#9	Alameda County, California	79	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#10	King County, Washington	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#11	Santa Clara County, California	76	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#12	Montgomery County, Maryland	73	Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare
#13	Mecklenburg County, North Carolina	73	Finance, Software & AI, Logistics
#14	Tarrant County, Texas	73	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#15	Bexar County, Texas	73	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#16	Harris County, Texas	72	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#17	Dallas County, Texas	72	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#18	District of Columbia, District of Columbia	71	Federal government, Professional services, Policy
#19	Travis County, Texas	71	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#20	Collin County, Texas	71	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#21	Fairfield County, Connecticut	71	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#22	Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania	70	Healthcare, Life sciences, Professional services
#23	Arlington County, Virginia	67	Federal contracting, Software, Professional services
#24	Erie County, New York	67	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#25	Monroe County, New York	67	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#26	Pima County, Arizona	66	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#27	Kings County, New York	66	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#28	Montgomery County, Pennsylvania	65	Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare
#29	Maricopa County, Arizona	65	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#30	Loudoun County, Virginia	64	Data centers, Software infrastructure, Federal contracting
#31	Arapahoe County, Colorado	64	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#32	Jefferson County, Colorado	64	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#33	Suffolk County, Massachusetts	64	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#34	Gwinnett County, Georgia	63	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#35	Middlesex County, Massachusetts	63	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#36	Chatham County, Georgia	62	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#37	Orange County, Florida	62	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#38	Hillsborough County, Florida	62	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#39	Duval County, Florida	62	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#40	Denver County, Colorado	62	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#41	Howard County, Maryland	61	Professional services, Software, Healthcare
#42	Durham County, North Carolina	61	Life sciences, Software & AI, Healthcare
#43	Cobb County, Georgia	61	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#44	Miami-Dade County, Florida	61	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#45	Pinellas County, Florida	61	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#46	Prince George's County, Maryland	60	Logistics, Healthcare, Federal facilities
#47	Fulton County, Georgia	59	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#48	Alexandria City, Virginia	58	Professional services, Federal support, Healthcare
#49	Wayne County, Michigan	58	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#50	Jackson County, Missouri	58	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#51	Baltimore County, Maryland	57	Healthcare, Education, Logistics
#52	Marion County, Indiana	57	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#53	Kent County, Michigan	57	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#54	Franklin County, Ohio	57	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#55	Cuyahoga County, Ohio	57	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#56	Anne Arundel County, Maryland	56	Logistics, Federal facilities, Healthcare
#57	Cook County, Illinois	56	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#58	New York County, New York	56	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#59	DuPage County, Illinois	55	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#60	Hamilton County, Indiana	55	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#61	Prince William County, Virginia	54	Logistics, Construction, Federal support
#62	Charlottesville City, Virginia	54	Education & Research, Healthcare, Software & AI
#63	Mercer County, New Jersey	54	Professional services, Life sciences, Government
#64	Baltimore City, Maryland	53	Healthcare, Education, Port logistics
#65	Bucks County, Pennsylvania	53	Manufacturing, Healthcare, Professional services
#66	Albemarle County, Virginia	52	Education & Research, Healthcare, Professional services
#67	New Castle County, Delaware	52	Finance, Logistics, Life sciences
#68	Frederick County, Maryland	51	Life sciences, Advanced manufacturing, Logistics
#69	Richmond City, Virginia	51	Professional services, Finance, Healthcare
#70	Delaware County, Pennsylvania	51	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#71	Henrico County, Virginia	50	Professional services, Logistics, Healthcare
#72	Chesterfield County, Virginia	48	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#73	Virginia Beach City, Virginia	47	Defense support, Healthcare, Professional services
#74	Camden County, New Jersey	47	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#75	Guilford County, North Carolina	46	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#76	Harford County, Maryland	43	Defense support, Advanced manufacturing, Logistics
#77	Stafford County, Virginia	43	Federal support, Logistics, Professional services
#78	Charles County, Maryland	40	Federal support, Logistics, Healthcare
#79	Carroll County, Maryland	40	Construction, Healthcare, Professional services
#80	Norfolk City, Virginia	39	Defense support, Logistics, Healthcare
#81	St. Mary's County, Maryland	38	Federal support, Defense aviation, Advanced manufacturing
#82	Spotsylvania County, Virginia	37	Logistics, Healthcare, Construction
#83	Roanoke County, Virginia	37	Healthcare, Logistics, Advanced manufacturing
#84	Roanoke City, Virginia	36	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#85	Frederick County, Virginia	36	Logistics, Manufacturing, Professional services
#86	Calvert County, Maryland	35	Energy & Infrastructure, Healthcare, Federal support
#87	Queen Anne's County, Maryland	34	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#88	Winchester City, Virginia	34	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#89	Washington County, Maryland	32	Logistics, Manufacturing, Healthcare
#90	Talbot County, Maryland	31	Healthcare, Tourism, Professional services
#91	Wicomico County, Maryland	30	Healthcare, Food production, Logistics

Logistics

Rank	County	Logistics score	Best uses
#1	Los Angeles County, California	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#2	San Diego County, California	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#3	Snohomish County, Washington	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#4	Multnomah County, Oregon	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#5	Washington County, Oregon	78	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#6	Orange County, California	77	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#7	Alameda County, California	76	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#8	Bexar County, Texas	75	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#9	King County, Washington	75	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#10	Fairfax County, Virginia	74	Federal contracting, Software, Cybersecurity
#11	Tarrant County, Texas	74	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#12	Wake County, North Carolina	73	Software & AI, Life sciences, Professional services
#13	Mecklenburg County, North Carolina	73	Finance, Software & AI, Logistics
#14	Harris County, Texas	73	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#15	Dallas County, Texas	73	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#16	Collin County, Texas	73	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#17	Travis County, Texas	72	Energy & Infrastructure, Logistics, Software & AI
#18	Santa Clara County, California	72	Software & AI, Life sciences, Logistics
#19	Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania	70	Healthcare, Life sciences, Professional services
#20	Fairfield County, Connecticut	69	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#21	Gwinnett County, Georgia	68	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#22	Chatham County, Georgia	67	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#23	Orange County, Florida	67	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#24	Hillsborough County, Florida	67	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#25	Duval County, Florida	67	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#26	Montgomery County, Maryland	66	Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare
#27	Prince George's County, Maryland	66	Logistics, Healthcare, Federal facilities
#28	Cobb County, Georgia	66	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#29	Miami-Dade County, Florida	66	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#30	Pinellas County, Florida	66	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#31	Kings County, New York	65	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#32	Erie County, New York	65	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#33	Monroe County, New York	65	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#34	Fulton County, Georgia	64	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#35	Pima County, Arizona	64	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#36	Wayne County, Michigan	64	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#37	Jackson County, Missouri	64	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#38	Montgomery County, Pennsylvania	63	Life sciences, Professional services, Healthcare
#39	Maricopa County, Arizona	63	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#40	Marion County, Indiana	63	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#41	Kent County, Michigan	63	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#42	Franklin County, Ohio	63	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#43	Cuyahoga County, Ohio	63	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#44	Loudoun County, Virginia	62	Data centers, Software infrastructure, Federal contracting
#45	District of Columbia, District of Columbia	62	Federal government, Professional services, Policy
#46	Arapahoe County, Colorado	62	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#47	Jefferson County, Colorado	62	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#48	Cook County, Illinois	62	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#49	Middlesex County, Massachusetts	62	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#50	Suffolk County, Massachusetts	62	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#51	Baltimore County, Maryland	61	Healthcare, Education, Logistics
#52	DuPage County, Illinois	61	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#53	Hamilton County, Indiana	61	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#54	Anne Arundel County, Maryland	60	Logistics, Federal facilities, Healthcare
#55	Prince William County, Virginia	60	Logistics, Construction, Federal support
#56	Denver County, Colorado	60	Software & AI, Professional services, Logistics
#57	Arlington County, Virginia	58	Federal contracting, Software, Professional services
#58	Delaware County, Pennsylvania	58	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#59	Howard County, Maryland	57	Professional services, Software, Healthcare
#60	Bucks County, Pennsylvania	57	Manufacturing, Healthcare, Professional services
#61	New Castle County, Delaware	57	Finance, Logistics, Life sciences
#62	Guilford County, North Carolina	57	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#63	Baltimore City, Maryland	56	Healthcare, Education, Port logistics
#64	Henrico County, Virginia	54	Professional services, Logistics, Healthcare
#65	Chesterfield County, Virginia	54	Advanced manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare
#66	Camden County, New Jersey	54	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#67	Durham County, North Carolina	54	Life sciences, Software & AI, Healthcare
#68	New York County, New York	54	Professional services, Healthcare, Finance
#69	Frederick County, Maryland	53	Life sciences, Advanced manufacturing, Logistics
#70	Alexandria City, Virginia	53	Professional services, Federal support, Healthcare
#71	Mercer County, New Jersey	52	Professional services, Life sciences, Government
#72	Virginia Beach City, Virginia	50	Defense support, Healthcare, Professional services
#73	Norfolk City, Virginia	50	Defense support, Logistics, Healthcare
#74	Richmond City, Virginia	49	Professional services, Finance, Healthcare
#75	Harford County, Maryland	48	Defense support, Advanced manufacturing, Logistics
#76	Stafford County, Virginia	48	Federal support, Logistics, Professional services
#77	Charles County, Maryland	47	Federal support, Logistics, Healthcare
#78	Spotsylvania County, Virginia	47	Logistics, Healthcare, Construction
#79	Albemarle County, Virginia	46	Education & Research, Healthcare, Professional services
#80	Frederick County, Virginia	46	Logistics, Manufacturing, Professional services
#81	Washington County, Maryland	44	Logistics, Manufacturing, Healthcare
#82	Roanoke County, Virginia	44	Healthcare, Logistics, Advanced manufacturing
#83	Charlottesville City, Virginia	44	Education & Research, Healthcare, Software & AI
#84	Roanoke City, Virginia	43	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#85	Carroll County, Maryland	42	Construction, Healthcare, Professional services
#86	Queen Anne's County, Maryland	42	Logistics, Healthcare, Professional services
#87	Winchester City, Virginia	42	Healthcare, Logistics, Professional services
#88	Wicomico County, Maryland	40	Healthcare, Food production, Logistics
#89	St. Mary's County, Maryland	39	Federal support, Defense aviation, Advanced manufacturing
#90	Calvert County, Maryland	38	Energy & Infrastructure, Healthcare, Federal support
#91	Talbot County, Maryland	34	Healthcare, Tourism, Professional services

FAQ

What are the best counties in North Carolina for business expansion?

Wake County, North Carolina; Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; Durham County, North Carolina; Guilford County, North Carolina rank highly in this regional screening set.

How should companies compare counties in North Carolina?

Compare workforce depth, education, labor availability, industry fit, cost pressure, market access, facility needs, and local execution risks.