countyscore

Brunswick County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#41 in North Carolina
46
County Score
Property Tax 79.6Income & Jobs 77Water Quality 71.3

County Report Card

About Brunswick County, North Carolina

Strong Coastal Performance

Brunswick County scores a 45.9, approaching the national median of 50.0. It balances high household incomes with low tax burdens, creating a competitive profile for coastal living.

Leading the State Average

With a 45.9 composite score, Brunswick outperforms the North Carolina average of 44.7. It stands out as one of the state's more prosperous coastal regions, buoyed by strong migration and wealth.

Low Taxes and High Incomes

The county boasts an impressive tax score of 78.1, supported by a low effective tax rate of 0.569%. Residents also enjoy a high income score of 75.6, with median household earnings reaching $74,034.

Coastal Risks and Rising Costs

Environmental risk is a major concern, reflected in a score of 4.2 due to its coastal location. Additionally, housing affordability is tightening, with a cost score of 17.8 and median home values at $314,700.

The Verdict for Wealthy Families

Brunswick is ideal for established families or retirees who value low taxes and proximity to the ocean. The trade-off is higher environmental vulnerability and a more expensive real estate market.

2040608010079.617.143.766.526.2774.271.361.6Tax79.6Cost17.1Safety43.7Health66.5Schools26.2Income77Risk4.2Water71.3Weather61.646/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Brunswick County DNA

Foverall

How Brunswick County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Brunswick County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (79.6/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (4.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
79.6+27.599999999999994
Cost
17.1-30.9
Safety
43.7-11.299999999999997
Health
66.5+16.5
Schools
26.2-27.8
Income
77+26
Risk
4.2-42.8
Water
71.3+13.299999999999997
Weather
61.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$349,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,351/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$349,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$54,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,024/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Brunswick County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Brunswick County

via TaxByCounty

Brunswick has one of nation's lowest rates

Brunswick County's effective tax rate of 0.569% ranks among the lowest in the country, placing it well below the national median of 1.09%. Though the median property tax of $1,789 seems substantial, it reflects higher home values in this coastal community rather than a high tax burden.

Well below North Carolina average

At 0.569%, Brunswick's rate is 19% lower than North Carolina's 0.701% state average, making it one of the most tax-friendly counties in the state. Brunswick residents enjoy one of the lowest effective tax rates among all 100 North Carolina counties.

Lowest rate in the southeastern region

Brunswick's 0.569% rate is significantly lower than neighboring Bladen County (0.904%) and Carteret County (0.450%), making it the most tax-efficient coastal option. The county's low rate combined with higher coastal home values creates an attractive tax environment for retirees and waterfront buyers.

Coastal homes pay $1,789 median tax

With a median home value of $314,700 and a rate of 0.569%, Brunswick homeowners typically pay $1,789 in annual property tax. Homeowners with mortgages generally see escrow payments around $1,828 annually.

Even low-tax counties have appeal opportunities

Property assessments can still be inaccurate in low-tax counties, and challenging an inflated assessment could yield real savings. If your recent appraisal suggests your home is worth less than its current assessed value, an appeal is worth exploring.

Income & Jobs in Brunswick County

via IncomeByCounty

Brunswick matches national income levels

Brunswick County's median household income of $74,034 nearly equals the national median of $74,755, placing it solidly in the middle-income range. This alignment with national averages reflects a diverse, economically stable community.

Above-average earner in North Carolina

At $74,034, Brunswick County exceeds the state average of $61,072 by $12,962—a 21% premium. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier statewide, benefiting from retirees and service-industry employment.

Competitive with coastal peers

Brunswick matches Carteret County ($70,235) and edges past Buncombe County ($70,578), but lags Cabarrus County ($86,084) and Camden County ($87,781). Its income profile reflects strong regional economic positioning along the southeastern coast.

Homes costly relative to income

A median home value of $314,700 is substantial compared to the $74,034 median income—requiring significant down payments and monthly mortgages. The 20.5% rent-to-income ratio signals adequate housing affordability for renters, though homeownership demands financial discipline.

Leverage stable income for investments

Brunswick County's middle-income stability creates opportunity to diversify beyond homeownership. Explore tax-advantaged retirement accounts, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and automatic investment plans to build wealth systematically alongside rising home values.

Safety in Brunswick County

via CrimeByCounty

Brunswick Ranks Among the Nation's Safest

With a high safety score of 98.0, Brunswick County is one of the more secure regions in the United States. Its total crime rate of 1,268.2 per 100K is roughly half the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top Performer in North Carolina

Brunswick significantly exceeds the state average safety score of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 1,268.2 per 100K is much lower than the North Carolina average of 2,050.0, highlighting a very safe environment.

Setting the Regional Standard for Safety

Brunswick reports a crime rate of 1,268.2 per 100K, making it considerably safer than its neighbor Bladen County at 1,922.3. It also maintains a lower crime footprint than coastal peer Carteret County.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

The county enjoys a low violent crime rate of 178.9 per 100K, less than half the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also notably low at 1,089.3 per 100K, reflecting high overall community security.

Preserving Peace of Mind at Home

Even in high-safety areas like Brunswick, home security systems provide valuable protection. Visible cameras and alarm systems deter the property crimes that do occasionally occur.

Weather & Climate in Brunswick County

via WeatherByCounty

Coastal Warmth Above the National Median

Brunswick County averages 63.7°F annually, placing it among the warmer coastal regions in the United States. This humid subtropical climate stays significantly milder than the national median.

One of the State's Warmest Spots

The county is one of the warmest in North Carolina, exceeding the state average of 59.3°F by more than four degrees. Its coastal position provides a significant buffer against the cooler inland trends.

Atlantic Breezes Moderate the Peak Heat

While nearby inland counties face more extreme heat, Brunswick only sees 34 days above 90°F thanks to maritime breezes. Its annual precipitation of 56.1 inches makes it wetter than the state average of 51.5 inches.

Maritime Mildness and Minimal Snow

Winter is exceptionally mild here, with an average temperature of 48.0°F and only 0.5 inches of annual snowfall. Summer brings consistent warmth, averaging 79.2°F from June through August.

Plan for Rain and Humidity

Residents should prioritize hurricane-ready home features and robust gutter systems to handle 56.1 inches of annual rain. Outdoor planning can happen year-round given the very rare snowfall.

Soil Quality in Brunswick County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced pH in Coastal Brunswick

Brunswick County offers a pH of 6.19, which is much closer to the national median of 6.5 than the state average of 5.14. This makes the soil significantly less acidic than most of its neighbors in North Carolina.

A Dominance of Coastal Sand

The soil is comprised of 69.2% sand, 19.8% silt, and only 9.4% clay. This creates a porous structure that is very easy to dig and till, though it drains extremely quickly.

High Organic Matter, Low Water Retention

Organic matter sits at 4.86%, nearly matching the state average of 5.12% and far exceeding the national average of 2.0%. However, the available water capacity is low at 0.068 in/in, meaning you will need to water more frequently than the average NC gardener.

Rapid Drainage Requirements

Though specific hydrologic groups are not recorded, the high 69.2% sand content implies a fast-draining landscape. This is excellent for preventing root rot but means the soil does not hold onto moisture or nutrients for long.

Grow Palms and Citrus in 8b

The mild climate of zone 8b combined with a high soil score of 48.9 makes Brunswick a gardener's paradise. Start a garden today with sweet potatoes or salt-tolerant ornamentals that thrive in this coastal mix.

Lawn Care in Brunswick County

via LawnByCounty

Brunswick County Lawns Meet State Averages

The lawn difficulty score here is 41.3, placing it right in line with the North Carolina average of 40.8. While more challenging than the national average of 50.0, the coastal environment of Hardiness Zone 8b is manageable for most residents. Local conditions provide a fair balance for maintaining healthy turf.

Coastal Humidity and Robust Growth

Brunswick County receives a generous 56.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is well above the ideal range for many grass types. With 5,566 growing degree days, the growing season is long and productive. The 34 annual extreme heat days are slightly lower than the state average, offering a small reprieve from the typical North Carolina swelter.

Healthy Soil pH with Sandy Texture

The local soil pH of 6.19 is excellent and falls perfectly within the ideal range for lawn health. However, the soil is 69.2% sand, meaning it drains very quickly and may struggle to hold onto moisture. Frequent, light watering may be necessary to keep grass hydrated in this porous coastal soil.

Navigating Severe Coastal Drought Conditions

Nearly 89% of the county currently faces severe drought, with 29 weeks of dry conditions recorded over the past year. Even with high annual rainfall, these dry periods can stress sandy soils rapidly. Use mulch in garden beds and avoid over-mowing during drought to keep the soil shaded and cool.

Starting Your Coastal Lawn Successfully

Bermuda and Zoysia thrive in the coastal warmth and sandy soil of Brunswick County. Aim to begin planting between the last frost on March 24th and the first frost on November 17th. This long window provides plenty of time for warm-season grasses to establish themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brunswick County's county score?
Brunswick County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 46 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Brunswick County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Brunswick County ranks #41 among all counties in North Carolina on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Brunswick County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Brunswick County is $1,890, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Brunswick County a tax score of 79.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Brunswick County?
The median household income in Brunswick County, North Carolina is $77,024 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Brunswick County earns an income score of 77/100 on CountyScore.
Is Brunswick County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Brunswick County scores 46/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #41 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Brunswick County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Brunswick County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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