Bladen County

North Carolina · NC

#82 in North Carolina
64.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Bladen County, North Carolina

Bladen exceeds national median by 45%

Bladen County's composite score of 72.4 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it well above the 50th percentile nationally. This score reflects a county where residents enjoy better-than-average overall livability compared to most U.S. counties.

Right at North Carolina's average

With a score of 72.4, Bladen ranks just slightly below North Carolina's state average of 72.7, positioning it in the middle tier of the state's 100 counties. The county performs comparably to its neighbors across the state.

Affordability and low taxes shine

Bladen County excels in cost of living with a score of 84.0, offering median home values of just $125,800 and rent averaging $752 per month. The county also features a favorable effective tax rate of 0.904%, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious families.

Income levels lag behind peers

The county's income score of just 12.5 reflects a median household income of $44,528, well below state and national norms. Additional data on safety, schools, health, and environmental factors remains limited, leaving room for fuller picture assessment.

Best for cost-conscious families

Bladen County suits retirees and working families prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher earning potential. This is a county where your money stretches further, though future residents should seek local information on schools and safety before deciding.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.8Cost84SafetyComing SoonHealth58.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.5Risk15.4WaterComing Soon
🏛76.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠84
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼12.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
58.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
15.4
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

Bladen County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bladen County

via TaxByCounty

Bladen's tax rate ranks low nationally

At 0.904%, Bladen County's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.09%, placing it in roughly the bottom third of U.S. counties. The median property tax here is $1,137 annually, compared to a national median of $2,690—meaning Bladen homeowners pay less than half the typical American property tax bill.

Higher than most North Carolina counties

Bladen's 0.904% rate exceeds North Carolina's state average of 0.701% by about 29%, putting it in the higher tier of the state's 100 counties. While most Tar Heel homeowners benefit from lower tax rates, Bladen residents shoulder a steeper burden relative to their state peers.

Bladen sits mid-range in the region

Bladen's 0.904% rate falls between Brunswick County (0.569%) to the east and Burke County (0.699%) to the northwest. Among southeastern North Carolina counties, Bladen's tax burden is moderate but noticeably higher than coastal peers like Carteret (0.450%).

Median home taxes near $1,100 annually

With a median home value of $125,800 and an effective rate of 0.904%, Bladen homeowners typically pay around $1,137 in annual property tax. For those with a mortgage, the bill climbs to roughly $1,328 when including other escrow items.

Many Bladen homes may be overassessed

Property assessments are not always accurate, and homeowners who believe their homes are overvalued can appeal their assessments to reduce their tax burden. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales in your neighborhood, a formal appeal could lower your annual tax bill.

Cost of Living in Bladen County

via CostByCounty

Bladen's rent burden tops national average

Bladen County renters spend 20.3% of their income on rent, outpacing the national norm by over 2 percentage points. With a median household income of $44,528—about 40% below the U.S. average of $74,755—housing costs squeeze household budgets more tightly here than across the country.

Above average strain in North Carolina

Bladen's rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% ranks above North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, placing the county in the less affordable tier. The median rent of $752 falls well below the state average of $938, but local incomes are also substantially lower, creating an affordability mismatch.

More affordable than eastern peers

Bladen's $752 monthly rent is significantly cheaper than neighboring Brunswick County ($1,267) and Pender County areas, but the county's lower median income means renters still feel the strain more acutely. Burke County to the west offers comparable affordability with a 17.4% rent-to-income ratio.

Renters and owners both strained

Bladen renters pay $752 monthly while homeowners carry mortgage costs of $719—nearly identical burdens. Together with a median income of $44,528, housing consumes over one-fifth of household income for most residents.

Consider Bladen for rural affordability

If you're seeking lower absolute housing costs in rural North Carolina, Bladen delivers: expect median rent around $752 and home values near $126,000. However, weigh that against limited local income opportunities and ensure your job prospects can sustain your household budget.

Income & Jobs in Bladen County

via IncomeByCounty

Bladen trails national income average

Bladen County's median household income of $44,528 falls significantly below the national median of $74,755, a gap of $30,227. This places the county in the lower income tier nationally, reflecting economic challenges that require targeted workforce development and investment.

Bottom tier among NC counties

At $44,528, Bladen County ranks among North Carolina's lowest-income counties, trailing the state average of $61,072 by $16,544. This 27% income gap highlights disparities within the state's economic landscape.

Neighbors earn 20–50% more

Burke County ($55,684) and Caldwell County ($55,401) earn roughly 25% more than Bladen's median household income, while more affluent neighbors like Cabarrus County ($86,084) earn nearly double. Regional inequality suggests uneven economic opportunity across adjacent communities.

Housing remains affordable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.3%, Bladen County households spend a manageable share of earnings on housing—right at the national affordability threshold. A median home value of $125,800 keeps homeownership accessible, though lower incomes limit overall wealth-building capacity.

Start small, build long-term wealth

Even modest household incomes can grow through consistent saving and investing. Consider employer retirement plans, emergency savings of 3–6 months of expenses, and low-cost index funds to compound wealth over time—every dollar counts toward financial security.

Health in Bladen County

via HealthByCounty

Bladen lags behind on life expectancy

Bladen County residents live to 70.3 years on average—more than four years shorter than the U.S. life expectancy of 78.9 years. One in five residents report poor or fair health, compared to 17% nationally, signaling deeper health challenges across the population.

One of North Carolina's lowest performers

At 70.3 years, Bladen's life expectancy falls 4.1 years below the state average of 74.4 years, placing it among the bottom tier of NC counties. The 20.9% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state profile significantly.

Struggling compared to surrounding counties

Bladen's 70.3-year life expectancy contrasts sharply with neighboring Brunswick County (77.1 years) and Carteret County (75.6 years). With only 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Bladen has roughly half the access of neighboring counties like Burke (63 per 100K).

Uninsured and underserved

Bladen's 14.0% uninsured rate exceeds North Carolina's 12.5% average, leaving more than one in seven residents without coverage. The county also faces a critical shortage of mental health providers at just 102 per 100,000—far below many surrounding areas.

Get covered and take control

If you're uninsured or underinsured, now is the time to explore your options through the federal marketplace and state programs. Connecting with healthcare coverage can transform your ability to prevent disease and manage existing conditions.

Disaster Risk in Bladen County

via RiskByCounty

Bladen's moderate risk picture nationally

Bladen County scores 84.57 on the composite risk scale, landing it in the relatively moderate category—well above the national average. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly hurricanes and wildfires, that outpace typical U.S. county risk profiles.

Third-riskiest county in North Carolina

Bladen ranks among the state's higher-risk counties with a composite score of 84.57, compared to the state average of 66.72. The county's risk exceeds most of its peers in North Carolina, driven largely by elevated hurricane and wildfire exposure.

Higher risk than western county neighbors

Bladen's 84.57 composite score significantly exceeds nearby Burke County (70.17) and Caldwell County (67.43), placing it in a riskier category than its inland neighbors. However, it ranks below coastal Brunswick County (95.77), which faces even greater compound hazard exposure.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate here

Bladen residents face extreme hurricane risk at 96.41—among the highest in the state—combined with substantial wildfire exposure of 84.64. Tornado risk (78.15) and flood risk (65.74) also warrant attention, creating a multi-layered natural disaster landscape.

Prepare for wind and fire threats

Given Bladen's hurricane and wildfire vulnerabilities, wind and property coverage should be priorities in your homeowners' insurance. Review flood insurance options as well, particularly if you're in a flood-prone area, and secure important documents in a protected location.

ByCounty Network

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