CountyScore

Catawba County

North Carolina · NC

#42 in North Carolina
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Catawba County, North Carolina

Ranks well above national median

Catawba County scores 74.7, nearly 50% higher than the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates strong overall livability metrics across multiple dimensions.

Slightly above state average

With a score of 74.7, Catawba edges past North Carolina's average of 72.7, placing it solidly in the state's upper-middle tier. The county competes well with its regional peers.

Low taxes and balanced affordability

Catawba boasts a tax score of 85.3 with an effective rate of 0.605%—the lowest among these eight counties. A cost score of 79.1 and median home value of $218,100 offer solid housing affordability.

Income growth remains constrained

The income score of 25.5 and median household income of $64,544 lag behind wealthier NC counties. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet available, limiting a comprehensive assessment.

Best for practical, value-seeking residents

Catawba appeals to middle-income families and professionals seeking a low-tax environment with reasonable housing costs. It's particularly suited to those wanting small-city amenities without large metro price tags.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.3Cost79.1SafetyComing SoonHealth65.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk19.4WaterComing Soon
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Catawba County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Taylor County
Florida
67.9
Median income: $44,985
Lumpkin County
Georgia
67.9
Median income: $72,388
Bonneville County
Idaho
67.9
Median income: $76,646
Bell County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $32,403
Franklin County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $66,470

Deep Dives

Catawba County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Catawba County

via TaxByCounty

Catawba ranks among lowest nationally

At 0.605%, Catawba has one of the lowest effective property tax rates in America, nearly one-third below the national median of 0.88%. The median tax bill of $1,319 is less than half the national median of $2,690, placing the county in the bottom 25th percentile nationally.

Catawba leads North Carolina low-tax counties

Catawba's 0.605% rate is among the lowest in North Carolina, beating the state average of 0.701% by a meaningful margin. At just $1,319 in median taxes, the county undercuts the state median of $1,433, offering substantial savings compared to typical North Carolina homeowners.

Best rate among Piedmont peers

Catawba's 0.605% rate makes it the lowest-taxed county in its immediate region, beating Caswell (0.677%), Chowan (0.686%), and Cleveland (0.688%). Only Cherokee (0.501%) and Clay (0.451%) offer lower rates statewide, making Catawba a competitive choice for tax-conscious homebuyers.

Median home tax bill runs $1,319

A typical Catawba home valued at $218,100 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,319. With a mortgage, the effective bill rises to $1,382 due to ancillary county assessments.

Even low taxes deserve review

Even in a low-tax county, overassessment happens—your home's assessed value may not reflect recent market shifts or legitimate exemptions you qualify for. Request a free assessment appeal from Catawba County's assessor office to confirm you're paying only what you owe.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Catawba County

via CostByCounty

Catawba rent burden trails national average

Catawba County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio outperforms the nation, where renters typically spend a higher share of earnings on housing. With median rent at $891 and household income at $64,544, Catawba offers a workable balance compared to the national median income of $74,755.

Midfield affordability for North Carolina

Catawba's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio runs below North Carolina's 18.6% state average, placing the county in a favorable position for renters statewide. The $891 median rent reflects modest regional demand while incomes remain strong enough to absorb housing costs without undue strain.

Price premium over rural peers

Catawba's $891 rent runs higher than Caswell County ($699) and Cherokee County ($800), reflecting its stronger economic base and urban-adjacent positioning near Charlotte. Homebuyers will find median values at $218,100, higher than rural neighbors but below state hot spots like Chatham County at $397,800.

Balanced housing and income landscape

Catawba households split housing costs nearly evenly between renters and owners—16.6% to income for rent and 16.2% for mortgages on a $64,544 median income. This balance reflects steady employment in manufacturing and services, allowing residents to manage both rental and ownership pathways.

Solid middle ground for NC relocators

Catawba County offers middle-of-the-road housing costs and strong job markets centered on Hickory, making it appealing for families seeking stability between rural and urban options. Your rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% leaves room to build savings while enjoying a growing regional economy.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Catawba County

via IncomeByCounty

Catawba earns above many rural peers

Catawba County's median household income of $64,544 trails the national median of $74,755 by $10,211, or about 14%. However, the county outperforms most rural North Carolina counties and competes respectably with mid-tier American metros.

Above average for North Carolina

At $64,544, Catawba's median household income exceeds North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by $3,472. The county ranks in the middle-to-upper half of the state's 100 counties, reflecting strong manufacturing and industrial employment.

Solid middle ground in regional earnings

Catawba's $64,544 income sits comfortably above Caswell ($59,407) and well above struggling counties like Columbus ($48,184), but significantly below prosperous Chatham County's $88,534. The county's manufacturing heritage supports steadier wages than purely agricultural regions.

Housing costs are tighter than regional peers

Catawba's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% is elevated compared to Caswell's 14.1%, meaning housing consumes a larger income share here. At a median home value of $218,100, homeownership requires careful budgeting, but remains within reach for dual-income households.

Leverage employer benefits strategically

Catawba's manufacturing economy often provides workers with pension plans, 401(k)s, and health insurance—benefits worth actively maximizing. Households should scrutinize their benefits packages, contribute to retirement plans, and consider supplemental savings vehicles to build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Catawba County

via HealthByCounty

Below average life expectancy

Catawba County's life expectancy of 73.9 years trails both the U.S. average of 76.4 years and North Carolina's 74.4-year average by nearly half a year. Just 17.9% of residents report poor or fair health, below the national average of 18%, suggesting some health resilience despite lower longevity.

Lower life expectancy than most peers

Catawba ranks in the lower half of North Carolina counties for life expectancy, sitting 0.5 years below the state average. Its 17.9% poor/fair health rate is actually better than most counties, indicating that broader health trends—not just reported health status—are driving lower longevity.

Better provider access, similar outcomes

Catawba's 64 primary care providers per 100,000 residents exceed the state average and dramatically outpace neighboring Caswell's 22 per 100,000. Despite this advantage, Catawba's life expectancy lags peers like Chatham (79.9 years), suggesting access alone doesn't explain health disparities.

Strong provider network, lower uninsured rate

Catawba's 11.9% uninsured rate—below the state average of 12.5%—means most residents have a path to care. With 64 primary care providers and 275 mental health providers per 100,000, the county has solid infrastructure for routine check-ups and mental healthcare.

Ensure you're covered and connected

If you're uninsured, Catawba's robust provider network makes this the perfect time to enroll in coverage at HealthCare.gov. With access to care so accessible, insurance means you can start preventive care today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Catawba County

via RiskByCounty

Catawba's risk sits above national average

Catawba County's composite risk score of 80.57 places it in the "Relatively Low" category, but above the national average. The county faces moderate exposure to multiple natural hazards across different seasons.

Higher risk than most North Carolina counties

Catawba's score of 80.57 exceeds North Carolina's state average of 66.72, ranking it among the higher-risk counties statewide. This elevated profile reflects vulnerabilities across several hazard types.

Stands out in its region

Catawba's 80.57 score surpasses nearby Cleveland County (70.01) and Cherokee County (56.71), making it the riskiest county in its immediate area. Neighbors to the south and west show measurably lower composite risks.

Tornadoes and floods present dual threat

Catawba faces tornado risk of 86.26 and flood risk of 85.08, both well above state averages, making severe weather the county's primary concern. Earthquake risk at 85.88 adds a secondary layer of exposure that residents should monitor.

Prioritize flood and wind insurance coverage

Given tornado and flood risks exceeding 85, homeowners in Catawba should verify comprehensive coverage for wind, hail, and water damage. Consider a separate flood insurance policy to fill gaps in standard homeowners plans.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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