Anson County's composite score of 71.9 places it significantly above the national median of 50.0, landing in the 72nd percentile. The county delivers livability comparable to most American communities.
2 / 5
Nearly at North Carolina average
Anson's 71.9 score sits just 0.8 points below the state average of 72.7, positioning it at the midpoint statewide. The county remains competitive despite economic headwinds.
3 / 5
Exceptional housing affordability
Anson offers a median home value of just $119,300—the lowest among these eight counties—with a cost score of 83.7. Median rent at $849 per month also undercuts most peers, maximizing housing purchasing power.
4 / 5
Higher taxes and lower incomes
An effective tax rate of 0.933% is the state's highest among these counties (tax score 76.0), while median household income of $44,245 ranks second-lowest. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors constrains full assessment.
5 / 5
Best for ultra-budget homebuyers
Anson County attracts buyers seeking the absolute lowest home prices and those with minimal income earning needs. However, higher tax burdens and weak employment opportunities make it less suitable for those seeking steady local careers.
Anson County's composite score of 71.9 places it significantly above the national median of 50.0, landing in the 72nd percentile. The county delivers livability comparable to most American communities.
Nearly at North Carolina average
Anson's 71.9 score sits just 0.8 points below the state average of 72.7, positioning it at the midpoint statewide. The county remains competitive despite economic headwinds.
Exceptional housing affordability
Anson offers a median home value of just $119,300—the lowest among these eight counties—with a cost score of 83.7. Median rent at $849 per month also undercuts most peers, maximizing housing purchasing power.
Higher taxes and lower incomes
An effective tax rate of 0.933% is the state's highest among these counties (tax score 76.0), while median household income of $44,245 ranks second-lowest. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors constrains full assessment.
Best for ultra-budget homebuyers
Anson County attracts buyers seeking the absolute lowest home prices and those with minimal income earning needs. However, higher tax burdens and weak employment opportunities make it less suitable for those seeking steady local careers.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛76
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Anson County's effective tax rate of 0.933% is the highest in North Carolina and well above the national median of roughly 0.9%. Despite having the state's lowest median home value at $119,300, the county's elevated rate means homeowners pay a median of $1,113 annually.
Highest effective rate in the state
Anson County ranks first among all 100 North Carolina counties in effective property tax rate at 0.933%, significantly exceeding the state average of 0.701%. This 33% premium reflects the county's heavy reliance on property tax revenue.
Substantially higher than Piedmont peers
Anson's 0.933% rate far exceeds neighboring Union, Stanly, and Richmond counties, all of which fall between 0.65% and 0.75%. The gap reflects Anson's unique fiscal challenges and revenue needs as a rural Piedmont county.
High rate on modest homes
Even though Anson homes are the least expensive in the state (median $119,300), the county's elevated tax rate of 0.933% results in a median annual bill of $1,113. With mortgage deduction applied, the typical homeowner pays approximately $1,219 per year.
Challenge assessments in a tight market
In a county with rising tax rates and declining property values, overassessment is especially common and worth contesting. Homeowners should compare their assessment to recent arm's-length sales of similar properties and file an appeal if warranted.
Anson's affordability crisis: income fails to keep pace
Anson County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.0% is the worst in our group, 4.4 percentage points above the national average—and driven by the state's lowest median household income of $44,245. Renters here dedicate nearly a quarter of their earnings to housing, far exceeding the sustainable threshold.
Anson ranks among North Carolina's hardest hit
With a 23.0% rent-to-income ratio, Anson County faces the steepest housing burden in this analysis, significantly worse than the state average of 18.6%. The combination of the lowest median income ($44,245) and above-average rent ($849) creates acute affordability stress.
Anson's housing costs exceed its income capacity
Anson's $849 monthly rent is the highest among low-income counties in this region, while the median household income of $44,245 is the lowest—a disadvantageous pairing. Even homeownership at $617/month doesn't fully relieve the burden when annual income is this constrained.
Nearly a quarter of income consumed by rent
Anson renters spend $849/month on a $44,245 annual income, leaving roughly $3,049 annually after rent—before taxes, utilities, food, or transportation. This rent-to-income ratio of 23% marks the critical threshold where housing affordability becomes a genuine hardship for working families.
Anson demands strong income foundation
Relocating to Anson County requires securing employment significantly above the median—the 23% rent-to-income ratio suggests that anyone earning closer to county median will struggle. If considering Anson, evaluate neighboring Alexander or Ashe counties where income-to-housing ratios are far more favorable.
Anson County's median household income of $44,245 falls $30,510 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 15% of all U.S. counties. The county faces compounding economic challenges including job scarcity and wage stagnation.
Lowest incomes in North Carolina
Anson's $44,245 median household income ranks among the state's poorest, sitting 27.6% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072. Decades of manufacturing decline and limited economic diversification have left households with few income pathways.
Trapped in a cycle with struggling peers
Anson's $44,245 median income matches Alleghany County ($44,272) almost exactly, suggesting a regional economic crisis affecting multiple rural counties. Wealthier neighbors like Alamance ($64,445) demonstrate what diversified economies can achieve.
Housing consumes nearly one-quarter of income
Anson's rent-to-income ratio of 23.0% is among the nation's highest, meaning typical families dedicate nearly one-quarter of earnings to housing alone. With a median home value of only $119,300, even homeownership requires careful financial management.
Focus on stability and skill-building first
Given tight household budgets, Anson residents should prioritize stable employment and emergency savings (3–6 months) before other investments. Pursuing affordable education or certification programs in high-demand fields offers the most direct path to higher incomes and long-term security.
Anson County residents have a life expectancy of just 70.4 years—nearly six years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 23.4% poor or fair health rate is among the worst in North Carolina, signaling urgent health equity concerns.
Lowest life expectancy in state
Anson County's 70.4-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in North Carolina, trailing the state average of 74.4 years by four full years. This gap represents one of the state's most significant health disparities and demands targeted intervention.
Stark contrast to healthier counties
Anson County's 70.4-year life expectancy trails nearly every neighboring county significantly; Stanly and Union counties both show longer lifespans. The county's 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents are adequate on paper but may not reach all community members effectively.
Access and health behaviors matter
Anson County's 12.5% uninsured rate matches the state average, yet health outcomes remain starkly worse, suggesting barriers beyond insurance—including poverty, limited mental health resources (87 per 100,000), and chronic disease burden. Residents face compounding challenges in translating insurance access into actual health gains.
Health starts with coverage
Anson County faces North Carolina's most urgent health crisis, with life expectancy far below state averages. Ensure you and your family are insured: visit healthcare.gov, call 211, or reach out to Anson County Health Department to explore Medicaid and marketplace options.
Anson County's composite risk score of 50.00 sits meaningfully below the U.S. median, earning a "Relatively Low" rating despite exposure to multiple hazard types. This south-central county faces notably elevated hurricane and tornado risks compared to its overall profile.
Below-average risk statewide, but notable threats
Anson County's 50.00 score falls below North Carolina's 66.72 state average, placing it in the safer tier of the state's counties. However, hurricane risk at 82.85 and tornado risk at 71.95 create seasonal vulnerability despite the county's favorable overall ranking.
Comparable to Richmond and Scotland neighbors
Anson County's 50.00 composite risk closely mirrors nearby south-central counties with similar geographic exposure. Wildfire risk at 58.46 runs higher than some neighbors, reflecting the Piedmont's seasonal fire danger.
Hurricanes and tornadoes dominate your hazards
Hurricane risk peaks at 82.85 in Anson County, followed closely by tornado risk at 71.95, making Atlantic storm season and spring weather your most critical periods. Wildfire risk of 58.46 adds a third seasonal threat during dry periods.
Prepare for wind and rotating storms
Anson County's elevated hurricane and tornado exposure demands wind-resistant installation and secure roof anchoring. Maintain a basement shelter or interior room for tornado season, and ensure your homeowners insurance explicitly covers wind damage from both hurricanes and rotating storms.