CountyScore

Avery County

North Carolina · NC

#8 in North Carolina
73.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Avery County, North Carolina

Avery ranks in top 21 percent

Avery County achieves the highest composite score of this group at 78.9, placing it in the 79th percentile nationally. This mountain county outranks four of five American counties on overall livability.

Exceeds state average by 6.2

Avery's 78.9 significantly outpaces the North Carolina average of 72.7, ranking it among the state's elite livable counties. The county leads consistently across available measured dimensions.

Tax leader and affordable housing

Avery boasts the lowest effective tax rate of all eight counties at 0.414% (tax score 90.6) and offers median homes at $233,200 with modest rent at $791. The combination preserves wealth while maintaining property values.

Moderate income, missing data

An income score of 21.0 shows median household earnings of $57,657—solid but below some peers—reflecting limited high-wage employment. Safety, health, school, and environmental assessments remain unavailable.

Best for affluent retirees and artists

Avery County suits affluent retirees and self-employed creatives seeking low taxes, mountain living, and stable property values. The strong tax efficiency and pleasant homes attract those who've already built wealth elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.6Cost84.6SafetyComing SoonHealth64.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome21Risk52.5WaterComing Soon
🏛90.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Avery County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Moffat County
Colorado
73.1
Median income: $70,975
Twiggs County
Georgia
73.1
Median income: $55,439
Benton County
Indiana
73.1
Median income: $61,811
Kiowa County
Kansas
73.1
Median income: $73,214
Owen County
Kentucky
73.1
Median income: $59,706

Deep Dives

Avery County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Avery County

via TaxByCounty

Avery has America's lowest property tax rates

Avery County's effective tax rate of 0.414% ranks among the absolute lowest in the nation, less than half the national median of roughly 0.9%. Homeowners pay a median of just $966 annually on homes valued at $233,200—far below the national median tax of $2,690.

Lowest rate in all of North Carolina

Avery County has the lowest effective property tax rate in North Carolina at 0.414%, less than 60% of the state average of 0.701%. The median property tax of $966 is 33% below the state median of $1,433.

Dramatically lower than surrounding High Country

Avery's 0.414% rate is substantially lower than nearby Ashe (0.512%), Watauga, and Mitchell counties, making it the clear tax leader in the northwestern mountains. This exceptional advantage drives strong appeal among retirees and cost-conscious newcomers.

Low rates on above-average mountain homes

Despite median home values of $233,200—higher than most mountain counties—Avery's 0.414% rate keeps annual taxes to just $966. With mortgage deduction, the typical homeowner pays approximately $1,166 per year.

Appeal if assessed above market value

Avery's ultra-low rates don't exempt individual properties from potential overassessment relative to comparable sales. Homeowners uncertain their valuation reflects actual market conditions should request a review and consider filing a formal appeal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Avery County

via CostByCounty

Avery's affordability outpaces national benchmark

Avery County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% beats the national average of 18.6% by 2.1 percentage points, offering renters meaningful relief on housing costs. With median household income at $57,657 and rent at $791/month, Avery provides stronger income cushion than most regional peers.

Avery ranks well above North Carolina average

At 16.5%, Avery's rent-to-income ratio is well below the state average of 18.6%, placing it among North Carolina's more affordable county options. The median rent of $791 sits comfortably below the state median of $938.

Avery offers premium affordability and home values

Avery's $791 monthly rent is moderate among mountain peers, but its median home value of $233,200 is the highest in this group—reflecting desirable mountain real estate. Monthly owner costs at $632 provide solid pathways to homeownership in a county with above-average household incomes.

Avery renters enjoy strong budget surplus

Renters spend just $791/month on a $57,657 annual income, allocating only 16.5% to housing and leaving roughly $4,812 annually for other essentials and savings. Homeowners at $632/month fare even better, with high home values suggesting strong long-term equity accumulation.

Avery: premium affordability for mountain seekers

If you're relocating to North Carolina's mountains and want the best affordability metrics, Avery County delivers a 16.5% rent-to-income ratio—nearly 2 points better than state average. The higher median home values ($233,200) reflect desirable location; compare against Ashe (lower home values) or Alexander (cheaper rents) to balance your priorities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Avery County

via IncomeByCounty

Avery earns less than national average

Avery County's median household income of $57,657 trails the national median of $74,755 by $17,098, placing it in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties. Still, the county performs better than roughly 35% of American counties.

Slightly below North Carolina average

Avery's $57,657 median household income falls 5.6% below the state average of $61,072, ranking it in the middle-to-lower range among North Carolina counties. The county benefits from pockets of tourism and small-business activity.

Among region's stronger earners

Avery's $57,657 median income exceeds Ashe County ($50,827), Alleghany County ($44,272), and Anson County ($44,245), though it lags Alamance ($64,445) and Alexander ($65,268). The county's mountain setting and outdoor economy support more stability than its poorest rural neighbors.

Balanced housing costs at 16.5%

Avery's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% signals healthy housing affordability, with families dedicating only one-sixth of income to rent. However, the median home value of $233,200 exceeds the county median income, reflecting property value pressures from tourism and retiree migration.

Stable foundation for long-term investing

Avery's favorable rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% frees up money for retirement and investment accounts. Households should consider opening or maximizing contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs to build generational wealth and combat the county's below-average income position.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Avery County

via HealthByCounty

Avery rivals national health standards

Avery County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 75.9 years, nearly matching the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 17.4% poor or fair health rate is well below the national average, indicating strong population health despite its rural mountain setting.

Well above North Carolina average

Avery County's 75.9-year life expectancy exceeds the state average of 74.4 years by more than 1.5 years, ranking it among North Carolina's healthiest counties. This strong performance reflects both good health behaviors and community health investments.

Top performer with unique challenges

Avery County matches or exceeds the longevity of neighboring Ashe (75.7) and Alleghany (77.3) counties, though it has only 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the mountain region. Mental health provider density is exceptionally high at 478 per 100,000, suggesting strong behavioral health infrastructure.

Primary care access is the gap

Avery County's 15.7% uninsured rate is notably higher than the state average, and the county's 22 primary care providers per 100,000 are among the lowest in the region. Despite these access challenges, residents report strong health outcomes, possibly due to younger populations or health-conscious behaviors.

Insurance bridges the access gap

One in six Avery County residents lack health insurance, creating barriers to preventive primary care in a county with already limited providers. Visit healthcare.gov or call 211 to explore Medicaid and marketplace options that expand access to primary care services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Avery County

via RiskByCounty

Avery County shows below-average national risk

Avery County's composite risk score of 47.49 falls below the U.S. baseline, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. This high-elevation mountain county benefits from lower tornado and hurricane exposure compared to most American regions.

Well below North Carolina's state average

At 47.49, Avery County scores notably lower than North Carolina's 66.72 state average, positioning it among the safer counties statewide. The county's mountain elevation and remoteness from the Atlantic coast explain much of this advantage.

Safer than Ashe, similar to Alleghany County

Avery County's 47.49 score significantly underperforms neighboring Ashe County's 66.76 but sits slightly higher than Alleghany County's very-low 34.67. The county's flood risk at 64.44 elevates it modestly within its mountain-county peer group.

Flooding and wildfire are key exposures

Flood risk reaches 64.44 in Avery County, reflecting the county's mountain terrain and stream systems susceptible to heavy rainfall. Wildfire risk at 34.32 remains relatively modest, though the county's forest cover warrants ongoing attention during dry seasons.

Prioritize flood protection in valley areas

Avery County residents in flood-prone valleys should secure NFIP flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies don't cover water damage. Clear debris from streams and culverts to minimize blockage during heavy rain, and document your property annually for insurance purposes.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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