Cherokee County scores 78.1, nearly 56% higher than the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among the top performers nationally in this index.
2 / 5
Highest-scoring county in this group
At 78.1, Cherokee outperforms North Carolina's statewide average of 72.7 by more than five points—the best score among these eight counties. The county demonstrates exceptional overall livability.
3 / 5
Taxes and housing are exceptional
Cherokee excels with a tax score of 88.2 and the lowest effective tax rate at 0.501%, paired with a cost score of 85.7. Median home values of $208,700 and rents of $800/month offer genuine affordability.
4 / 5
Income levels lag behind living costs
The income score of 17.0 and median household income of $51,496 are the lowest in this group, creating a mismatch with housing costs. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality is currently unavailable.
5 / 5
Ideal for tax-conscious, modest-income families
Cherokee County suits retirees, budget households, and those prioritizing low taxes above all else. The mountain location offers natural beauty and a tight-knit community feel for residents willing to work with lower incomes.
Cherokee County scores 78.1, nearly 56% higher than the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among the top performers nationally in this index.
Highest-scoring county in this group
At 78.1, Cherokee outperforms North Carolina's statewide average of 72.7 by more than five points—the best score among these eight counties. The county demonstrates exceptional overall livability.
Taxes and housing are exceptional
Cherokee excels with a tax score of 88.2 and the lowest effective tax rate at 0.501%, paired with a cost score of 85.7. Median home values of $208,700 and rents of $800/month offer genuine affordability.
Income levels lag behind living costs
The income score of 17.0 and median household income of $51,496 are the lowest in this group, creating a mismatch with housing costs. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality is currently unavailable.
Ideal for tax-conscious, modest-income families
Cherokee County suits retirees, budget households, and those prioritizing low taxes above all else. The mountain location offers natural beauty and a tight-knit community feel for residents willing to work with lower incomes.
Score breakdown
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🏛88.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.501%, Cherokee County has one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the United States, roughly 43% below the national median of 0.88%. The median tax bill of $1,045 is less than 40% of the national median of $2,690, placing Cherokee in the bottom 10th percentile nationally.
Cherokee leads North Carolina taxes
Cherokee's 0.501% rate ranks among the absolute lowest in North Carolina, beating the state average of 0.701% by a substantial margin. At just $1,045 in median taxes, Cherokee homeowners pay less than 73% of the state median, offering exceptional tax relief.
Cherokee and Clay set state low-tax standard
Cherokee's 0.501% rate is second only to Clay County (0.451%) in the state, making the pair the nation's most tax-friendly North Carolina destinations. The county significantly undercuts regional peers like Caswell (0.677%) and Chowan (0.686%), attracting budget-conscious homebuyers.
Median home costs $1,045 yearly
A typical Cherokee home valued at $208,700 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,045. With a mortgage, the effective bill rises to $1,161 due to ancillary assessments.
Appeal to confirm fair assessment
Even in North Carolina's lowest-tax county, it's worth confirming your assessed value matches reality—especially if you've made significant home improvements or the market has shifted. Contact Cherokee County's assessor office for a free assessment appeal to verify accuracy.
Cherokee County's 18.6% rent-to-income ratio mirrors the national pattern, where renters dedicate roughly one-fifth of earnings to housing. With median rent at $800 and income at $51,496—below the US median of $74,755—Cherokee residents face steeper housing burdens than higher-earning peers.
Right at North Carolina's affordability line
Cherokee County matches North Carolina's statewide 18.6% rent-to-income average exactly, putting it at the midline for the state. The $800 rent and $51,496 income reflect a working-class economy where housing costs consume a meaningful but manageable share of household budgets.
Mountain region pricing in context
Cherokee's $800 rent sits between rural counties like Caswell ($699) and urban-influenced Catawba ($891), positioning it as moderate in the western Appalachian region. The $208,700 median home value offers reasonable entry points for ownership compared to more developed counties to the east.
Ownership advantage over renting
Cherokee renters spend 18.6% of income on housing, while homeowners allocate only 12.8% to mortgages—a notable gap that reflects lower median home values at $208,700. For households earning $51,496, this difference suggests ownership may offer better long-term value than renting.
Mountain living with modest costs
Cherokee County appeals to remote workers and retirees seeking Appalachian lifestyle at working-class prices—$800 rent and $208,700 median home values keep housing affordable. If homeownership fits your plan, the 12.8% ownership-to-income ratio offers particularly strong value versus renting.
Cherokee County's median household income of $51,496 falls $23,259 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 31% deficit. The county ranks among America's lowest-income regions, primarily a rural western North Carolina mountain community.
Among North Carolina's lowest earners
At $51,496, Cherokee's median household income lags the state average of $61,072 by $9,576, or 16%. The county ranks in the lower quartile statewide, indicating economic challenges typical of Appalachian mountain counties.
Poorest county in this regional comparison
Cherokee's $51,496 income is the lowest among all eight counties analyzed, trailing even Columbus County's $48,184. The county's remote mountain location and limited industrial base contribute to persistent income disadvantages relative to piedmont and coastal peers.
Housing costs strain limited budgets
Cherokee's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% is the highest in this group, meaning nearly one-fifth of household income goes to housing. The median home value of $208,700 represents a particularly heavy burden for workers earning under $52,000 annually.
Build resilience through small savings habits
Cherokee households should prioritize establishing even modest emergency funds, as financial shocks pose acute risks with limited income cushions. Explore low-cost savings tools like high-yield savings accounts and credit union memberships to maximize the impact of every dollar saved.
Cherokee County residents live an average of 74.3 years, just slightly below North Carolina's 74.4-year average but notably under the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 20.1% reporting poor or fair health—above the national rate of 18%—Cherokee faces health challenges that merit attention.
Middle-tier health outcomes in state
Cherokee ranks near the state median for life expectancy, neither significantly lagging nor leading. Its 20.1% poor/fair health rate situates it in the lower-to-middle tier of North Carolina counties, indicating moderate health concerns.
Similar challenges to neighboring counties
Cherokee's 74.3-year life expectancy closely matches Caswell's 74.4 years but trails Chatham's 79.9 years significantly. Primary care access at 41 per 100,000 residents is limited, though mental health providers at 167 per 100,000 offer better support for behavioral health.
Uninsured rate above state average
Cherokee's 13.5% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 12.5%, leaving more residents without reliable healthcare coverage. With only 41 primary care providers per 100,000—below neighboring counties—residents often face long waits for preventive care.
Coverage closes the care gap
Cherokee residents should visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to check Medicaid and Marketplace eligibility—especially critical given the county's provider shortages. Insurance ensures you can access the care available, not delay it.
Cherokee County's composite risk score of 56.71 places it in the "Relatively Low" category, below the national average. The county experiences moderate natural disaster exposure with notable variation across hazard types.
Below-average risk for North Carolina
At 56.71, Cherokee's composite risk score falls below North Carolina's state average of 66.72. The county ranks among the safer counties in its state.
Safer than Catawba, higher than Clay
Cherokee's 56.71 score positions it below Catawba County (80.57) but above Clay County (26.88), reflecting moderate risk in its western region. The county's profile differs notably from its immediate neighbors.
Wildfire risk drives Cherokee's profile
Wildfire risk of 81.08 dominates Cherokee County's hazard landscape, significantly exceeding state averages and reflecting the county's forested terrain. Flood and tornado risks at 67.88 and 68.10 present secondary concerns.
Wildfire coverage is essential for Cherokee
Cherokee residents in forested areas should verify their homeowners insurance includes wildfire damage coverage, given the county's 81.08 wildfire risk score. Review defensible space around your property and maintain insurance that covers wind-driven embers and structure fires.