Bertie County scores 72.6, landing in the 73rd percentile nationally and comfortably above the national median of 50.0. The rural county delivers livability comparable to most American communities.
2 / 5
Matches North Carolina average
Bertie's 72.6 score nearly mirrors the state average of 72.7, placing it at the midpoint statewide. The county performs as the typical North Carolina experience.
3 / 5
Deepest affordability in state
Bertie offers the lowest median home value among these counties at $95,800, with median rent at $824 (cost score 81.9). A tax score of 79.8 and effective rate of 0.797% further reduce cost of living pressures.
4 / 5
Low income and incomplete data
An income score of just 13.4 reflects median household earnings of $45,931—among the state's lowest—signaling limited local employment opportunities. Safety, health, school, and environmental assessments remain unreported.
5 / 5
Suits poverty-conscious rural seekers
Bertie County is ideal for retirees living on fixed incomes and remote workers unconcerned with local job markets seeking maximum affordability. Limited amenities and weak employment opportunities make it unsuitable for traditional career-builders.
Bertie County scores 72.6, landing in the 73rd percentile nationally and comfortably above the national median of 50.0. The rural county delivers livability comparable to most American communities.
Matches North Carolina average
Bertie's 72.6 score nearly mirrors the state average of 72.7, placing it at the midpoint statewide. The county performs as the typical North Carolina experience.
Deepest affordability in state
Bertie offers the lowest median home value among these counties at $95,800, with median rent at $824 (cost score 81.9). A tax score of 79.8 and effective rate of 0.797% further reduce cost of living pressures.
Low income and incomplete data
An income score of just 13.4 reflects median household earnings of $45,931—among the state's lowest—signaling limited local employment opportunities. Safety, health, school, and environmental assessments remain unreported.
Suits poverty-conscious rural seekers
Bertie County is ideal for retirees living on fixed incomes and remote workers unconcerned with local job markets seeking maximum affordability. Limited amenities and weak employment opportunities make it unsuitable for traditional career-builders.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Bertie County's effective tax rate of 0.797% exceeds the national median of roughly 0.9% and the state average of 0.701%. However, because median homes are valued at just $95,800—the state's second-lowest—the median annual tax is only $764, well below national norms.
Above-average rate on low-value property
Bertie County ranks in the upper third of North Carolina counties by tax rate at 0.797%, exceeding the state average of 0.701%. Yet the median home value of $95,800 is among the lowest in the state, keeping the median tax bill to $764—below the state median of $1,433.
Highest rate in the northeastern region
Bertie's 0.797% rate significantly exceeds neighboring Edgecombe, Martin, and Halifax counties, all of which fall between 0.65% and 0.74%. This difference reflects Bertie's fiscal structure and its smaller property tax base.
Rural property, modest but steep rate
The median home in Bertie County is valued at just $95,800, but the elevated 0.797% tax rate produces an annual bill of approximately $764 without mortgage deduction. With mortgage interest included, homeowners typically pay around $983 per year.
High rates make accuracy checks essential
When tax rates are above average, even modest overassessments can compound into significant overbilling over time. Bertie homeowners should carefully review their assessment, compare recent property sales, and challenge any valuation that exceeds local market conditions.
Bertie struggles with affordability despite low rents
Bertie County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.5% significantly exceeds the national average of 18.6%, driven by the second-lowest median household income in this group at $45,931. Despite moderate rent at $824/month, limited earnings create substantial housing burden for local residents.
Bertie ranks among North Carolina's affordability challenges
At 21.5%, Bertie's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 18.6% by nearly 3 percentage points, placing it among the state's more strained counties. With median household income of just $45,931, Bertie residents face disproportionate housing cost burden.
Bertie's low home values mask income constraints
Bertie's $824 monthly rent is moderate, but its median home value of just $95,800—the lowest in this group—reflects limited local economic opportunity. While homeownership is theoretically affordable at $766/month, the underlying income challenge remains: $45,931 annual earnings against 21.5% housing cost burden.
Over a fifth of Bertie income goes to housing
Renters spend $824/month on a $45,931 annual income, allocating 21.5% to housing and leaving roughly $3,026 annually after rent for all other expenses. Homeowners at $766/month face similar strain, with limited surplus for savings or emergencies given the overall income floor.
Bertie demands stable, above-average income
Relocating to Bertie County requires securing employment well above the county median—a 21.5% rent-to-income ratio indicates most residents are stretched thin. If considering Bertie, evaluate neighboring Beaufort County (better income-to-housing ratio at 17.8%) or coastal alternatives with stronger economic opportunity.
Bertie County's median household income of $45,931 falls $28,824 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 20% of all U.S. counties. The county faces persistent poverty and limited economic opportunity.
Lowest incomes in North Carolina
Bertie's $45,931 median household income ranks among the state's poorest, sitting 24.8% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072. Decades of agricultural decline and rural depopulation have left households with fewer income sources.
Struggling alongside Anson and Alleghany
Bertie's $45,931 median income closely mirrors Anson County ($44,245) and Alleghany County ($44,272), revealing a consistent poverty belt across rural North Carolina. Only Beaufort County ($57,997) in the broader region shows stronger earnings.
Housing strain intensifies at 21.5%
Bertie's rent-to-income ratio of 21.5% places housing costs near the affordability danger zone, with typical families dedicating more than one-fifth of income to rent. The median home value of only $95,800 offers the region's most accessible homeownership entry point.
Prioritize emergency savings and job training
With tight household budgets and housing costs climbing toward 30%, Bertie residents should focus first on building 3–6 months of emergency savings. Investing in affordable job training, trade certifications, or remote work skills offers the highest return and best path to improved financial stability.
Bertie County residents have a life expectancy of just 72.0 years—4.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's alarming 25.4% poor or fair health rate is among the worst in North Carolina, signaling profound health disparities.
Second-lowest life expectancy statewide
Bertie County's 72.0-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in North Carolina, trailing the state average of 74.4 years by 2.4 years. Only a handful of counties face comparable health challenges, making this a critical area for state and local intervention.
Eastern NC health disparities deep
Bertie County's 72.0-year life expectancy is significantly lower than neighboring Beaufort (73.7) and most other eastern North Carolina counties. The county's 29 primary care providers per 100,000 residents fall below state averages, and mental health providers at 71 per 100,000 are among the lowest in the region.
Low uninsurance masks deeper issues
Bertie County's 11.7% uninsured rate is below the state average, yet health outcomes are among North Carolina's worst—indicating structural barriers beyond insurance coverage. Limited provider capacity, poverty, and chronic disease prevalence create compounding challenges for residents seeking and receiving care.
Health equity starts with coverage
Bertie County faces North Carolina's most severe health disparities, with life expectancy among the lowest in the state. Ensure complete family coverage: visit healthcare.gov, call 211, or reach Bertie County Health Department to access Medicaid and marketplace options available to you.
Bertie County's composite risk score of 66.38 sits just slightly below the U.S. average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The county's significant hurricane exposure (93.33) distinguishes it despite moderate overall risk.
Essentially matches North Carolina's state average
At 66.38, Bertie County mirrors North Carolina's 66.72 state average almost exactly, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county's hurricane risk at 93.33 represents its most distinctive hazard vulnerability.
Safer than coastal Beaufort, similar to inland peers
Bertie County's 66.38 score significantly trails the riskier Beaufort County (88.17) immediately to the east. The county sits in an interesting vulnerability band—more exposed to hurricanes than inland counties, but less threatened than directly coastal jurisdictions.
Hurricane risk towers above all other hazards
Hurricane risk reaches 93.33 in Bertie County, making it your dominant natural hazard concern by far. Tornado risk at 62.05 and flood risk at 46.37 rank substantially lower, but tropical storm season demands your full preparation efforts.
Hurricane preparation is your primary priority
With hurricane risk at 93.33, Bertie County residents should invest in storm-resistant upgrades like reinforced roofing and impact-resistant windows. Maintain homeowners insurance with current replacement-cost coverage, prepare a hurricane kit each spring, and review your evacuation plan annually.