countyscore

Buncombe County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#58 in North Carolina
41.7
County Score
Weather & Climate 77.4Property Tax 76.1Income & Jobs 72.1

County Report Card

About Buncombe County, North Carolina

Mountain Living with Premium Pricing

Buncombe County earns a 41.4 composite score, trailing the national median of 50.0. While it offers high health and income scores, significant housing costs weigh down its overall ranking.

Trailing the State Average

The county's 41.4 score sits below the North Carolina average of 44.7. Despite its cultural popularity, the mismatch between local wages and high home values creates a drag on its livability index.

Health and Tax Efficiency

Buncombe performs well in health (64.3) and tax burden (74.4), helped by a competitive 0.601% effective tax rate. Education also remains a bright spot, with a school score of 52.2.

Safety and Housing Affordability

Safety is a primary concern with a score of 8.9, alongside a cost score of 16.6. Median home values have climbed to $360,000, making it one of the more expensive counties in the region.

The Verdict for Health-Conscious Professionals

Buncombe suits professionals who value outdoor access and a strong healthcare network. However, residents should prepare for a competitive housing market and urban safety challenges.

2040608010076.115.78.964.352.272.110.750.977.4Tax76.1Cost15.7Safety8.9Health64.3Schools52.2Income72.1Risk10.7Water50.9Weather77.441.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Buncombe County DNA

Foverall

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

Buncombe County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (76.1/100) but notably weak in Safety (8.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
76.1+24.099999999999994
Cost
15.7-32.3
Safety
8.9-46.1
Health
64.3+14.299999999999997
Schools
52.2
Income
72.1+21.099999999999994
Risk
10.7-36.3
Water
50.9
Weather
77.4+21.400000000000006
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$391,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,362/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$391,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$54,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,436/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

28.7

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Buncombe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Buncombe County

via TaxByCounty

Buncombe's rate is below national median

Buncombe County's effective tax rate of 0.601% sits comfortably below the national median of 1.09%, putting it in the lower third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $2,163 reflects Buncombe's higher home values rather than an aggressive tax rate.

Slightly below average for the state

Buncombe's 0.601% rate is about 14% lower than North Carolina's 0.701% state average, offering mountain residents a modest tax advantage. Among the state's 100 counties, Buncombe ranks in the lower-tax half.

Competitive with nearby mountain counties

Buncombe's 0.601% rate is lower than Burke County (0.699%) and Caldwell County (0.639%) in the surrounding region. The Asheville area's stronger real estate market is reflected in higher home values, though the tax rate remains reasonable.

Median home tax reaches $2,163 annually

With a median home value of $360,000 and a rate of 0.601%, Buncombe homeowners typically pay $2,163 in annual property tax. Those with mortgages can expect total escrow payments around $2,272.

Assessment accuracy varies across Buncombe

Even in a reasonably priced market, individual homes can be overassessed relative to comparable recent sales. Buncombe homeowners who suspect their assessed value is too high can file an appeal with the county assessor's office.

Income & Jobs in Buncombe County

via IncomeByCounty

Buncombe slightly below national median

Buncombe County's median household income of $70,578 trails the national median of $74,755 by $4,177. Despite this modest gap, the county ranks solidly in the middle-income range, reflecting the economic strength of the Asheville region.

Upper-middle tier in North Carolina

At $70,578, Buncombe County exceeds the state average of $61,072 by $9,506—a 16% premium. The county's diverse economy, tourism, and cultural attractions support above-average household earnings.

Outearns some peers, trails others

Buncombe edges past Carteret County ($70,235) and Burke County ($55,684), but lags behind Cabarrus County ($86,084) and Camden County ($87,781). Its income reflects Asheville's status as a regional economic hub with steady employment growth.

Rising home prices stretch budgets

A median home value of $360,000 is the highest among these eight counties, creating affordability pressure despite reasonable $70,578 incomes. The 21.8% rent-to-income ratio indicates renters spend slightly more than the national target, suggesting housing market tightness.

Diversify beyond home appreciation

With home prices climbing, Buncombe County households should balance real estate with diversified investments. Max out retirement contributions, consider second properties or REITs, and build a portfolio that doesn't depend solely on residential real estate appreciation.

Safety in Buncombe County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Rates Exceed the National Average

Buncombe County records a total crime rate of 2,894.4 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, the county maintains a safety score of 95.4 based on reporting from 11 local agencies.

Below the North Carolina Safety Norm

Buncombe’s safety score of 95.4 falls below the North Carolina state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 2,894.4 per 100K is also higher than the state average of 2,050.0, indicating more local activity.

Monitoring Trends in Western North Carolina

Buncombe County sees 2,894.4 crimes per 100K, which is higher than neighbor Caldwell County at 2,408.5. However, it remains safer than Burke County, where crime rates exceed 4,000 per 100K.

Property Crimes Predominate in Buncombe

Property crime is the primary driver of local statistics at 2,501.4 per 100K residents. Violent crime stands at 393.0 per 100K, slightly surpassing the national violent crime average of 369.8.

Strengthening Your Neighborhood Safety

With property crime as a primary concern, neighbors should stay vigilant and report suspicious activity. Modern doorbell cameras are effective tools for monitoring home entrances and discouraging theft.

Weather & Climate in Buncombe County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Mountain Air Defies Trends

At 55.3°F annually, Buncombe County is cooler than both the North Carolina state average and the national median. This highland climate offers a sharp contrast to the humid heat typical of the American South.

High Elevation Keeps Things Cool

The county ranks as one of the cooler jurisdictions in North Carolina, sitting four degrees below the state average of 59.3°F. Its high elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains dictates this temperate profile.

A Refreshing Departure from the Piedmont

Buncombe is a mountain refuge, seeing just 7 days of extreme heat compared to dozens in the Piedmont. Its 48.9 inches of annual rain is slightly lower than the state's 51.5-inch average.

Snowy Winters and Temperate Summers

Snow is a regular feature here, with the county receiving 12.5 inches annually. While January averages a brisk 36.7°F, July stays comfortable with a daily average of just 73.0°F.

Winter Preparation is Essential

Homeowners need reliable heating systems and snow removal equipment to navigate the 12.5 inches of winter snowfall. Energy bills stay lower in the summer since extreme heat is very rare.

Soil Quality in Buncombe County

via SoilByCounty

Gravelly Mountain Soils of Buncombe

Buncombe County is characterized by 'extremely gravelly sand' and an acidic pH of 4.81. This is notably lower than the national median of 6.5 and reflects the unique chemical nature of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Balanced Silt and Clay Mix

The soil contains 44.2% sand, 28.4% silt, and 16.4% clay, providing more structure than coastal counties. The gravelly texture prevents heavy compaction, allowing roots to penetrate the soil more easily on mountain slopes.

Exceptional Organic Nutrient Reservoir

Buncombe features a massive 9.46% organic matter content, nearly doubling the state average of 5.12%. Its available water capacity of 0.143 in/in also exceeds the state norm, ensuring plants stay hydrated even in the rocky terrain.

High Permeability for Steep Slopes

While specific drainage data is unavailable, the gravelly sand texture suggests that water moves quickly through the earth. This is crucial for preventing erosion and soil saturation during heavy mountain rainstorms.

Apples and Herbs Thriving in 7b

Hardiness zone 7b is perfect for Buncombe's famous apples, rhododendrons, and medicinal herbs. With a solid soil score of 39.3, this high-organic mountain soil is ready for your backyard agriculture projects.

Lawn Care in Buncombe County

via LawnByCounty

Ideal Mountain Conditions for Greener Lawns

Buncombe County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 61.8, making it much easier to maintain grass here than in most of the state. This score is significantly higher than both the North Carolina average of 40.8 and the national median. The cooler climate of Zone 7b provides a welcome advantage for local gardeners.

Cooler Summers Benefit Cool-Season Grass

With only 7 extreme heat days per year, Buncombe avoids the scorching temperatures that plague the rest of the state. Annual precipitation of 48.9 inches sits in the sweet spot for lawn health. Low growing degree days (3,449) mean grass grows at a more manageable pace than in the eastern lowlands.

Acidic and Gravelly Soil Preparation

Soil here is quite acidic with a pH of 4.81, requiring lime to bring it closer to the ideal 6.0 range. The texture is characterized as extremely gravelly sand, which can make consistent moisture retention a challenge. Homeowners should focus on adding organic compost to improve soil structure and nutrient capacity.

Managing Severe Drought in the Mountains

Despite the cooler weather, the entire county is currently experiencing severe drought conditions. While there were only 18 weeks of drought in the past year, the current 100% severe drought coverage is a major concern. Prioritize watering the most stressed areas and reduce foot traffic to protect fragile turf.

Cool-Season Grasses Thrive in Buncombe

Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass are excellent choices for this mountain climate. The shorter growing season runs from the last frost on April 19th to the first frost on October 23th. Early fall is the best time to seed, allowing roots to take hold before the winter freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Buncombe County's county score?
Buncombe County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 41.7 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 Buncombe County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Buncombe County ranks #58 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 Buncombe County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Buncombe County is $2,222, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Buncombe County a tax score of 76.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Buncombe County?
The median household income in Buncombe County, North Carolina is $74,436 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Buncombe County earns an income score of 72.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Buncombe County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Buncombe County scores 41.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #58 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Buncombe 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 Buncombe 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.