CountyScore

Beaufort County

North Carolina · NC

#58 in North Carolina
66.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Beaufort County, North Carolina

Beaufort ranks above median

Beaufort County scores 73.7, placing it in the 74th percentile nationally and well above the national median of 50.0. The coastal county delivers solid livability compared to most U.S. counties.

Slightly above North Carolina average

Beaufort's 73.7 exceeds the state average of 72.7 by 1 point, positioning it in the upper-middle tier statewide. The county holds its own among North Carolina's 100 counties.

Strong coastal values and tax rates

Beaufort balances a tax score of 82.4 (effective rate 0.705%) with median homes at $181,200 and coastal lifestyle appeal. An income score of 21.2 reflecting $57,997 median earnings provides reasonable purchasing power.

Housing costs rising, data gaps remain

A cost score of 80.3 is the lowest among these eight counties, indicating median rent at $859 and rising waterfront property pressures. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable.

Best for coastal-loving middle class

Beaufort attracts middle-income families and retirees seeking small-town coastal living without big-city expense. The area balances affordability with authentic waterfront character, though gentrification pressures are building.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.4Cost80.3SafetyComing SoonHealth63.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.2Risk11.8WaterComing Soon
🏛82.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.8
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 Beaufort County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Terrell County
Georgia
66.1
Median income: $43,812
Ada County
Idaho
66.1
Median income: $88,907
Edwards County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $53,792
Harvey County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $73,269
Ascension Parish
Louisiana
66.1
Median income: $92,266

Deep Dives

Beaufort County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Beaufort County

via TaxByCounty

Beaufort taxes close to national average

Beaufort County's effective tax rate of 0.705% sits just slightly above the national median of roughly 0.9% and matches the state average. At $1,277 in median annual property taxes on a median home of $181,200, residents pay less than half the national median of $2,690.

Middle-range tax burden in North Carolina

Beaufort County ranks at the state average with an effective rate of 0.705% compared to North Carolina's 0.701% statewide average. The median property tax of $1,277 is 11% below the state median of $1,433, reflecting below-average home values in the coastal county.

Higher than inland Piedmont, similar to coast

Beaufort's 0.705% rate exceeds nearby Pitt and Nash counties but matches other Coastal Plain jurisdictions like Martin and Edgecombe. The region's rates generally cluster between 0.65% and 0.75% due to similar assessment practices.

Modest coastal homes, typical tax bill

The median home in Beaufort County is valued at $181,200, resulting in an estimated annual property tax of $1,277 without mortgage deduction. With mortgage interest factored in, homeowners typically pay approximately $1,539 per year.

Coastal properties warrant careful review

In counties experiencing coastal development and demographic shifts, assessments can lag behind or overshoot actual market values. Beaufort homeowners should verify their assessment matches recent comparable sales and appeal if significantly overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Beaufort County

via CostByCounty

Beaufort's coastal affordability beats the nation

Beaufort County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% outperforms the national average of 18.6% by 0.8 percentage points, with median household income of $57,997 supporting moderate housing costs. At $859/month for rent and $831 for owner costs, Beaufort offers balanced coastal living without coastal-tier pricing.

Beaufort holds strong in state affordability rankings

At 17.8%, Beaufort's rent-to-income ratio is below North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, placing it in the state's more affordable county tier. The county's median rent of $859 is below the state median of $938 and paired with solid median household income of $57,997.

Beaufort delivers coastal value without coastal prices

Beaufort's $859 rent sits between mountain peers, while its median home value of $181,200 is the lowest among counties in this analysis—offering exceptional equity potential. Owner costs at $831/month are competitive, making Beaufort an attractive option for homebuyers seeking coastal character without premium pricing.

Beaufort renters balance housing with other needs

At $859/month, renters spend 17.8% of their $57,997 annual income on housing, leaving roughly $4,773 annually for utilities, food, and savings. Homeowners at $831/month face a similar burden, with median home values under $182,000 providing accessible pathways to ownership in a coastal region.

Beaufort: coastal living on a reasonable budget

If you're drawn to North Carolina's coastal communities, Beaufort County offers the lowest median home values in this group ($181,200) paired with a respectable 17.8% rent-to-income ratio. Compare against mountain alternatives like Ashe or Avery to decide between coastal and mountain communities—both offer below-state-average affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Beaufort County

via IncomeByCounty

Beaufort's median income lags U.S. by 22%

Beaufort County's median household income of $57,997 trails the national median of $74,755 by $16,758, ranking it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The county's coastal economy depends heavily on agriculture, seafood, and government employment.

Slightly below state average

At $57,997, Beaufort's median household income falls 5.0% short of North Carolina's state average of $61,072, placing it in the middle-to-lower band statewide. The county's economic structure has shifted from manufacturing to services and agriculture.

Comparable to Avery and Ashe counties

Beaufort's $57,997 median income aligns closely with Avery County ($57,657) and Ashe County ($50,827), suggesting similar rural economic challenges. All three counties lag wealthier, more industrialized peers in the piedmont region.

Healthy housing affordability at 17.8%

Beaufort's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% reflects manageable housing costs, with families spending less than one-fifth of income on rent. The median home value of $181,200 is more accessible than wealthier counties, supporting homeownership opportunities.

Build savings on stable rural foundation

With 17.8% of income available after housing costs, Beaufort households can prioritize consistent savings and modest investment contributions. Automation—setting up regular transfers to savings or investment accounts—makes wealth-building easier even on moderate incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Beaufort County

via HealthByCounty

Beaufort trails national health benchmarks

Beaufort County residents have a life expectancy of 73.7 years, falling short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly 2.7 years. The county's 19.9% poor or fair health rate is slightly above the national average, reflecting a population facing notable health challenges.

Below North Carolina state average

Beaufort County's 73.7-year life expectancy lags the state average of 74.4 years, placing it in the lower tier of North Carolina county health rankings. This gap indicates the county faces similar or worse health challenges than the broader state population.

Coastal county faces headwinds

Beaufort County's 73.7-year life expectancy trails most neighboring eastern North Carolina counties and significantly trails the state average. The county provides 52 primary care providers and 207 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, offering moderate access despite health outcome gaps.

Insurance rates solid, outcomes lag

Beaufort County's 12.2% uninsured rate is below the state average, yet health outcomes remain below expectations, suggesting barriers beyond coverage alone—likely including poverty, chronic disease burden, and healthcare delivery gaps. Residents with insurance may still face challenges accessing or affording specialized care.

Ensure your family is covered

Beaufort County faces higher-than-average health challenges despite relatively good insurance rates. Make sure you're covered: visit healthcare.gov, call 211, or contact Beaufort County Health Department to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans in your area.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Beaufort County

via RiskByCounty

Beaufort County faces elevated national risk

Beaufort County's composite risk score of 88.17 places it significantly above the U.S. average, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating. This coastal county's exposure to hurricanes (97.46) and flooding (82.20) creates one of North Carolina's most hazard-exposed locations.

Among North Carolina's highest-risk counties

At 88.17, Beaufort County far exceeds the state average of 66.72, ranking among the most disaster-prone jurisdictions in North Carolina. The county's coastal location and low elevation create compounding flood and hurricane vulnerability.

Highest risk in eastern North Carolina

Beaufort County's 88.17 score significantly exceeds neighboring Bertie County (66.38), making it the riskiest jurisdiction in eastern North Carolina. The county's hurricane risk at 97.46 is unmatched among its peers.

Hurricanes and flooding dominate your profile

Hurricane risk reaches 97.46 in Beaufort County—among the highest in the nation—with flood risk following closely at 82.20. Tornado risk at 74.59 adds a third threat, making tropical storm season and spring weather your most dangerous periods.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

Beaufort County residents must secure both homeowners insurance and separate flood insurance through the NFIP, as standard policies exclude water damage. Consider hurricane-resistant shutters, roof reinforcement, and a generator, and maintain an emergency kit updated for extended power outages.

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.