Alamance County

North Carolina · NC

#57 in North Carolina
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Alamance County, North Carolina

Alamance outpaces the nation

With a composite score of 72.2, Alamance County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. This means Alamance offers better overall livability than three-quarters of U.S. counties, driven primarily by favorable tax and housing costs.

Just shy of North Carolina average

Alamance's 72.2 score falls slightly below the state average of 72.7, ranking it in the middle tier among North Carolina's counties. The county remains competitive statewide despite mixed performance across measured dimensions.

Strong tax and housing values

Alamance excels with a tax score of 84.0 and an effective tax rate of just 0.651%, among the state's lowest. Housing is affordable too, with a median home value of $221,200 and median rent at $1,007 per month—giving residents solid financial breathing room.

Income growth lags behind

The county's income score of 25.5 signals lower median household earnings at $64,445, well below many peer counties. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving gaps in the full livability picture.

Best for budget-conscious families

Alamance suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high incomes or career growth. The county offers solid financial foundations but would benefit from wage growth and completion of health and safety assessments.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax84Cost75SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk22.9WaterComing Soon
🏛84
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠75
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
22.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Alamance County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Alamance County

via TaxByCounty

Alamance taxes well below national average

Alamance County's effective tax rate of 0.651% sits below the state average of 0.701%, and well below the national median effective rate of roughly 0.9%. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,440 annually compared to the national median of $2,690—about 46% less despite similar home values.

Middle of the pack in North Carolina

Among North Carolina's 100 counties, Alamance ranks in the middle range for effective tax rates. At $1,440 median property tax, the county matches the state average of $1,433, showing a typical tax burden for the state.

Similar to nearby Piedmont counties

Alamance's 0.651% rate is slightly lower than neighboring Randolph County and comparable to Guilford County's rates. The region's tax rates cluster tightly between 0.6% and 0.75%, reflecting consistent Piedmont valuation practices.

Median home, typical annual bill

A median-valued home in Alamance County ($221,200) generates an estimated annual tax bill of $1,440 without mortgage interest deduction, or $1,501 with one. This calculation multiplies the median home value by the county's 0.651% effective rate.

Many Alamance homeowners could appeal

Tax assessments can drift out of alignment with market values, leaving some homeowners overassessed. If your property is appraised significantly higher than comparable recent sales, a formal appeal to the county assessor's office could lower your tax bill.

Cost of Living in Alamance County

via CostByCounty

Alamance's rent squeeze vs. the nation

Alamance renters spend 18.8% of their income on housing, slightly above the national median of 18.6%—meaning locals shoulder about the same burden as Americans overall. With a median household income of $64,445, Alamance falls short of the national median by $10,310, making each dollar of rent hit harder.

Right in the middle of the pack

Alamance's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio sits just above North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, placing it near the midpoint of county affordability rankings across the state. The county's median rent of $1,007 exceeds the state average of $938 by $69 monthly.

Alamance vs. nearby Piedmont counties

Alamance renters pay significantly more than those in nearby Alexander County ($745/month vs. $1,007/month), but face lower costs than some eastern alternatives. Alamance's homeownership picture is stronger—median home values of $221,200 compete with regional peers while monthly owner costs stay reasonable at $993.

How Alamance dollars split housing

Renters devote $1,007 monthly to gross rent, while homeowners spend $993—a near-even split that reflects the county's mixed housing economy. Between rent and mortgage obligations, Alamance households allocate roughly a fifth of their $64,445 annual income to housing, leaving modest room for other essentials.

Considering Alamance for relocation?

If you're evaluating North Carolina counties, Alamance offers moderate rents and homeownership opportunities near statewide averages—though incomes lag the national norm. Compare this profile against Alexander County (cheaper rents but lower home values) or Avery County (better affordability metrics) to find your best fit.

Income & Jobs in Alamance County

via IncomeByCounty

Alamance trails national income by $10k

Alamance County's median household income of $64,445 falls short of the national median of $74,755, a gap of roughly $10,300. This places Alamance below the top 40% of U.S. counties in earning power. Still, the county outpaces many rural regions facing steeper economic headwinds.

Above-average for North Carolina

At $64,445, Alamance's median household income exceeds North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by 5.5%, ranking the county in the middle-to-upper tier statewide. This solid position reflects a diverse economy anchored in manufacturing, retail, and growing professional services.

Competitive with neighboring counties

Alamance's $64,445 median income compares favorably to nearby Alexander County ($65,268), though both outpace more rural neighbors like Alleghany County ($44,272). The close match with Alexander suggests similar economic structures and workforce dynamics across the region.

Rent remains manageable at 18.8%

Alamance's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% sits well below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning typical households spend less than one-fifth of income on rent. With a median home value of $221,200, homeownership remains within reach for many families earning the county median.

Build savings with strong affordability

Alamance's favorable housing costs leave room in household budgets to invest in retirement accounts, education, and long-term assets. Starting an automatic transfer of just 5–10% of income into a diversified portfolio can compound significantly over a working lifetime.

Health in Alamance County

via HealthByCounty

Alamance lives longer than average

Alamance County residents live to 75.4 years on average, beating the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by just under a year. The county's 19.7% poor or fair health rate is close to the national average, suggesting generally good health outcomes for a mid-sized North Carolina county.

One year ahead of North Carolina

Alamance's 75.4-year life expectancy outpaces North Carolina's 74.4-year state average by one year. The county ranks solidly in the middle tier for health outcomes statewide, neither leading nor trailing among its peers.

Healthier than nearby Randolph

Alamance residents live longer than those in neighboring Alexander County (74.1 years) and maintain better overall health than the state average. The county's mental health provider density of 192 per 100,000 residents provides moderate access to behavioral health services.

Insurance and provider access steady

Alamance's 12.6% uninsured rate matches the state average almost exactly, with 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents available for routine care. The county offers reasonable access to both primary and mental health services, though residents in rural areas may face longer travel times.

Check your coverage today

One in eight Alamance residents lacks health insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or call 211 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer coverage options available in your county.

Disaster Risk in Alamance County

via RiskByCounty

Alamance's risk ranks above national average

Alamance County scores 77.07 on the composite risk index, placing it well above the typical U.S. county baseline. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly flooding, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

Above average risk for North Carolina

At 77.07, Alamance's composite risk score exceeds North Carolina's state average of 66.72, positioning it among the riskier counties in the state. The county faces notably elevated tornado and flood hazards compared to many of its neighbors.

Riskier than nearby Guilford and Randolph

Alamance County's 77.07 score outpaces its neighboring counties in the Piedmont region. Alexander County to the west scores just 45.80, making Alamance considerably more hazard-exposed than its immediate geography would suggest.

Flooding and tornadoes drive your risk profile

Flood risk reaches 83.91 in Alamance, making it one of the county's most pressing natural disaster concerns. Tornado risk ranks nearly as high at 82.28, while hurricane exposure reaches 81.85—creating a triple threat during severe weather season.

Comprehensive coverage essential for Alamance

With flood risk at 83.91, standard homeowners insurance won't protect your property—separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is critical. Consider reinforcing your roof and windows against high winds, and maintain an emergency kit updated annually.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.