Surry County Public RecordsNorth Carolina

Surry County, NC, has approximately 50,000 registered voters as of 2024, with registrations split among Republican (about 53%), Democrat (23%), and Unaffiliated (24%). Local, state, and federal elections are held regularly, with the 2020 presidential election turnout at 74%. Polling occurs at 22 precinct locations. The county Board of Elections administers ballots and handles voter concerns, such as access and redistricting. In recent elections, Republicans predominated countywide contests. Recent local issues include school funding and zoning regulations, which often influence voter turnout and candidate platforms.

Surry County, NC, hosts 14 public schools—including 3 traditional high schools—serving about 7,500 students. The high school graduation rate is 89%, but only 13% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average public school test scores rank below the state average, with a combined math and reading proficiency of 38%. The district emphasizes safety, boasting measures such as controlled access and resource officers. Surry offers Career & Technical Education, dual enrollment, and adult education through Surry Community College, supporting lifelong learning and workforce readiness for its residents.

As of 2023, Surry County, NC has an employment rate of approximately 57%. Key industries include manufacturing (26%), healthcare and social assistance (14%), and retail trade (11%). Leading occupations are production (17%), office and administrative support (14%), and sales (10%). About 83% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 24 minutes; only 20% work within the county while the majority commute to nearby counties such as Forsyth and Yadkin.

Surry County, NC, has a homeownership rate of around 73%, above the national average, with median home values near $175,000 in 2024. Rental rates average $850 for a two-bedroom unit. The market has seen steady appreciation, with property values rising about 5% annually in recent years. Housing types range from single-family homes and historic houses in neighborhoods like Mount Airy to rural properties. Property tax rates average 0.68% of assessed value, making taxes relatively affordable. Affordable prices and a mix of urban and rural neighborhoods make Surry County attractive to homebuyers and renters alike.

Surry County, NC, reports a crime rate lower than the national average, with recent FBI data indicating approximately 1,440 crimes per 100,000 residents annually. Violent crime remains low, with rates around 200 per 100,000, while property crime is more common at about 1,240 per 100,000. Local law enforcement emphasizes community policing and transparent reporting, contributing to steady declines in crime since 2020. Residents rate Surry County as generally safe, with most incidents involving theft or minor property offenses rather than violent crime.

As of the 2020 Census, Surry County, NC had a population of 71,359. The median age was approximately 44.6 years. Gender distribution was nearly even, with about 49.1% male and 50.9% female. The racial and ethnic composition was 86.7% White, 6.3% Black or African American, 1.6% Asian, 0.3% Native American, and 8.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race, with others comprising the remainder.