CountyScore

Carroll County

Maryland · MD

#11 in Maryland
65.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Carroll County, Maryland

Carroll exceeds national livability standard

Carroll County's composite score of 65.4 is 31% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong livability across most dimensions. The county delivers consistent, above-average performance that appeals to diverse household types.

Solid performer within Maryland rankings

At 65.4, Carroll ranks above Maryland's state average of 63.9, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. The county balances affordability with quality outcomes better than many peers.

Health, income, and taxes align well

Carroll combines a health score of 80.8, median household income of $115,876, and an effective tax rate of 0.944%, reflecting excellent healthcare and solid upper-middle-class earnings. The tax score of 75.7 makes wealth-building sustainable.

Housing costs pose affordability pressure

The cost score of 54.1 reflects median home values of $406,400, requiring substantial household income for affordable ownership. The risk score of 40.5 suggests environmental or economic vulnerabilities warranting exploration.

Best for prosperous families seeking balance

Carroll suits affluent families and professionals seeking excellent schools and healthcare with manageable tax burdens in a suburban setting. It works best for dual-income households with household incomes exceeding $100,000.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.7Cost54.1SafetyComing SoonHealth80.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome59Risk40.5WaterComing Soon
🏛75.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠54.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼59
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡40.5
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 Carroll County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barrow County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $77,477
Grady County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $54,312
Tattnall County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $52,351
Vanderburgh County
Indiana
65.4
Median income: $60,938
Barber County
Kansas
65.4
Median income: $57,615

Deep Dives

Carroll County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Carroll County

via TaxByCounty

Carroll County taxes slightly above median

Carroll County's effective tax rate of 0.944% sits just above the national median of 0.890%, placing it in roughly the 52nd percentile nationally. The median property tax of $3,837 on homes valued at $406,400 reflects moderate taxation on higher-value properties.

Just below Maryland's average rate

Carroll County's effective rate of 0.944% sits just below the state average of 0.957%, ranking it in the middle of Maryland counties. The median property tax of $3,837 exceeds the state median of $3,328, primarily due to higher home values rather than a steep tax rate.

Middle ground among regional peers

Carroll's 0.944% rate sits between Anne Arundel (0.852%) and Cecil (0.981%), offering a middle-of-the-road tax environment for northern Maryland. On a $406,400 median home, residents pay $3,837 annually—more than Anne Arundel but less per capita than Baltimore County.

What you pay on a typical home

On Carroll's median home value of $406,400, the effective tax rate of 0.944% translates to roughly $3,837 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $3,916 per year, while those owning outright pay around $3,673.

You may be overassessed

Carroll County homeowners should review their property assessments regularly, as inaccurate valuations directly inflate your annual tax bill. The county offers a straightforward appeal process that costs nothing and can result in significant tax savings if your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Carroll County

via CostByCounty

Carroll County's strong affordability

Carroll County boasts Maryland's second-best rent-to-income ratio at 14.2%, significantly below the state average of 18.3% and well above national affordability standards. The county's median household income of $115,876—55% above the national median—makes housing feel genuinely accessible despite solid absolute prices.

Top-tier Maryland value

Carroll County ranks among Maryland's best for affordability, with a 14.2% rent-to-income ratio that reflects strong household incomes supporting moderate housing costs. Only Calvert County (15.5%) surpasses Carroll in the affordability rankings statewide.

Value among affluent suburbs

Carroll's $1,370 median rent is lower than Anne Arundel ($1,990) and Baltimore County ($1,566), while homes at $406,400 offer strong value compared to Anne Arundel's $450,300. The county delivers suburban quality comparable to its neighbors at meaningfully lower prices.

Carroll's healthy balance

Renters pay $1,370 monthly while homeowners carry $1,920 mortgage payments on homes averaging $406,400 in value—solid suburban pricing. With a median household income of $115,876, housing consumes just 14.2% for renters and 19.9% for owners, leaving substantial room for savings and other expenses.

Carroll for balanced families

Carroll County suits professionals earning $100,000–$130,000 seeking top-tier schools and strong community without Anne Arundel's premium prices. The county's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio and $406,400 median homes offer excellent value for affluent families prioritizing financial balance.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Carroll County

via IncomeByCounty

Carroll County significantly exceeds national average

Carroll County's median household income of $115,876 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 55%, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. This affluence reflects Carroll's role as an affluent commuter community for Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Third-highest income in Maryland

Carroll County's median household income of $115,876 ranks third statewide, exceeded only by Calvert ($132,059) and Anne Arundel ($120,324), and well above the state average of $94,152. The county's per capita income of $51,465 also ranks near the top of Maryland.

Wealthiest in Baltimore-Washington corridor

Carroll County's median household income of $115,876 trails only Calvert County and Anne Arundel among central Maryland jurisdictions, substantially exceeding Baltimore County ($90,904) and Baltimore City ($59,623). It represents one of the region's premier affluent suburbs.

Excellent affordability for high earners

Carroll County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% ranks among Maryland's lowest, indicating exceptional housing affordability relative to income. Median home values of $406,400 remain comfortably accessible for households earning the county median income.

Leverage strong income for wealth building

Carroll County's above-average incomes create substantial capacity for retirement savings, investment diversification, and property wealth accumulation. Work with a financial advisor to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, explore real estate opportunities, and develop a comprehensive estate plan.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Carroll County

via HealthByCounty

Carroll County thrives in health

Carroll County residents live to 78.2 years, slightly below the U.S. average of 78.8 years, with just 13.2% reporting poor or fair health. The county demonstrates strong, consistent health outcomes across its population.

Top-tier health performance

At 78.2 years, Carroll County's life expectancy exceeds Maryland's state average of 77.0 years by 1.2 years. The county's 13.2% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's best, placing Carroll solidly in the top tier of Maryland health outcomes.

Healthy rival to Anne Arundel

Carroll's 78.2-year life expectancy trails only Anne Arundel (78.8 years) and Calvert (78.7 years) in Maryland. With 44 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Carroll provides adequate basic care, though residents may travel for specialty services.

Lowest uninsured rate among peers

Carroll County's uninsured rate of 4.3% is among Maryland's lowest, matching Calvert's outstanding coverage. With 44 primary care providers and 272 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Carroll ensures most residents can access the care they need.

Build on Carroll's health success

Carroll County residents can maintain this outstanding health trajectory by ensuring continuous coverage. Visit marylandhealthcare.org to confirm your health plan is current and covers preventive care, screenings, and mental health services year-round.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Carroll County

via RiskByCounty

Carroll County's risk slightly exceeds national average

Carroll County's composite risk score of 59.51 earns a "Relatively Low" rating, sitting modestly above the national average but reflecting balanced hazard exposure across multiple disaster types. The county's rural northern location provides some protection from coastal and urban concentration effects.

Carroll sits near Maryland's average risk

Carroll County's 59.51 score is nearly identical to Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the middle tier of the state's risk rankings. The county performs better than Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel, but exceeds Calvert and Caroline counties.

Carroll ranks with other northern counties

Carroll County (59.51) faces similar risk to nearby Allegany (58.52) and Cecil (58.56), creating a stable band of moderate hazard exposure across north-central Maryland. All three counties substantially underperform Baltimore-area jurisdictions in overall disaster risk.

Hurricanes and earthquakes lead the list

Carroll County residents face elevated hurricane risk (76.97) and notable earthquake exposure (67.62), reflecting both Atlantic seasonal threats and the region's seismic activity. Flood danger (66.73) and tornado hazard (36.35) pose secondary concerns, while wildfire risk remains low (13.99).

Standard plus coverage provides baseline protection

Carroll County homeowners should maintain comprehensive coverage and add earthquake protection, which remains optional but valuable in this region. Flood insurance is recommended for properties near creeks or in mapped flood zones, though county-wide flood risk remains moderate.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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