Johnston County Market Data
Real numbers, real comparisons — updated with the latest available housing and economic data.
County-Wide Housing Snapshot
How Johnston County Compares
The table below compares Johnston County to its primary competitors in the Triangle real estate market.
| Metric | Johnston County | Wake County | Durham County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $355,000 | $475,000 | $395,000 |
| Price per Sq Ft | $188 | $216 | $219 |
| Median Property Tax/Year | ~$1,700 | ~$3,533 | ~$2,891 |
| 5-Year Appreciation | 30–40% | 25–30% | 20–28% |
| Building Permits (2024) | 2,783 | ~8,000 | ~2,100 |
| Active New-Home Communities | 227+ | 150+ | 50+ |
| Median Days on Market | 55 | 38 | 42 |
Town-Level Pricing
| Town | Median Price | Price/SqFt | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton (27520) | $336K–$367K | $201 | Largest market; growth engine |
| Clayton / Flowers Plantation (27527) | $425K+ | $210+ | Premium master-planned |
| Smithfield | $282K–$322K | $165 | County seat; value play |
| Selma | ~$235K | $148 | Most affordable larger town |
| Four Oaks | ~$305K | $158 | Growing rural-suburban |
| Benson | ~$299K | $155 | Fort Bragg gateway; Vulcan |
| Princeton | ~$330K | $170 | I-42 corridor growth |
| Pine Level | ~$287K | $152 | Affordable; I-42 corridor |
| Kenly | ~$272K | $140 | Among most affordable |
| Archer Lodge | ~$350K | $180 | Larger lots; newer municipality |
New Construction Boom
Johnston County issued 2,783 building permits in 2024, up 16.6% year-over-year. With 227+ active new-home communities, the county offers one of the broadest selections of new construction in the Triangle. Prices range from the low $300,000s to $800,000+ depending on community and builder. Major developments include Flowers Plantation (7,800 planned homes), Copper District (300-acre mixed-use), and dozens of communities from True Homes, Fischer Homes, Pulte, Del Webb, and others.
Rental Market
The rental market reflects Johnston County's ownership-oriented culture: median rent is $1,662/month, with HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom at $1,763. Only 26.5% of residents rent, and the vacancy rate is approximately 5.3%.
Property Tax Rates by Municipality
| Area | Municipal Rate | Combined Rate (per $100) |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated | — | $0.52 + fire district |
| Clayton | $0.49 | $1.01 |
| Four Oaks | ~$0.475 | ~$1.00 |
| Cleveland | ~$0.48 | ~$1.00 |
| Smithfield | ~$0.57 | ~$1.09 |
| Benson | ~$0.59 | ~$1.11 |
| Selma | ~$0.60 | ~$1.12 |
| Princeton | ~$0.61 | ~$1.13 |
| Kenly | ~$0.63 | ~$1.15 |