Chowan County scores 73.3, roughly 47% higher than the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates consistent strength across available livability metrics.
2 / 5
Modestly above state average
With a score of 73.3, Chowan slightly exceeds North Carolina's average of 72.7, placing it in the solid middle-upper range of state counties. The county holds steady against peer competition.
3 / 5
Affordable living with low taxes
Chowan combines a tax score of 83.0 with an effective rate of 0.686%, alongside a cost score of 79.2. The county's median home value of $204,400 and rent of $766/month offer accessible living.
4 / 5
Income growth remains limited
An income score of 20.6 and median household income of $56,982 represent the county's weakest dimension. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are not yet measured.
5 / 5
Suits rural-minded, cost-conscious households
Chowan County appeals to families seeking small-town Eastern North Carolina living with affordable housing and favorable taxes. It's best for those comfortable with lower incomes in exchange for a quiet, tight-knit community.
Chowan County scores 73.3, roughly 47% higher than the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates consistent strength across available livability metrics.
Modestly above state average
With a score of 73.3, Chowan slightly exceeds North Carolina's average of 72.7, placing it in the solid middle-upper range of state counties. The county holds steady against peer competition.
Affordable living with low taxes
Chowan combines a tax score of 83.0 with an effective rate of 0.686%, alongside a cost score of 79.2. The county's median home value of $204,400 and rent of $766/month offer accessible living.
Income growth remains limited
An income score of 20.6 and median household income of $56,982 represent the county's weakest dimension. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are not yet measured.
Suits rural-minded, cost-conscious households
Chowan County appeals to families seeking small-town Eastern North Carolina living with affordable housing and favorable taxes. It's best for those comfortable with lower incomes in exchange for a quiet, tight-knit community.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛83
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.686%, Chowan's effective property tax rate runs about 22% below the national median of 0.88%, offering meaningful savings for homeowners. The median tax bill of $1,403 is roughly half the national median of $2,690, placing Chowan in the bottom 30th percentile nationally.
Chowan slightly above state average
Chowan's 0.686% rate trails North Carolina's state average of 0.701% by a hair, putting it near the middle of the state's tax distribution. The median tax of $1,403 sits just under the state median of $1,433, marking Chowan as a typical North Carolina county for tax burden.
Chowan compares evenly to region
Among eastern North Carolina peers, Chowan's 0.686% rate matches the broader regional pattern, with similar effective rates in Caswell (0.677%) and Cleveland (0.688%). The county sits above the state's lowest-tax outliers but below higher-tax jurisdictions.
Median home costs $1,403 yearly
A typical Chowan home valued at $204,400 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,403. With a mortgage, the effective bill climbs to $1,510 due to additional county assessments.
Don't assume your assessment is right
Many Chowan homeowners overpay because they accept their initial assessed value without question—but assessments can be wrong, especially if your home's market value has changed. File a free appeal with Chowan County's assessor to ensure your property is valued fairly.
Chowan County's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio beats the national norm, with median rent at $766 and income at $56,982 creating a workable housing situation. This rural Eastern North Carolina county offers affordable rents without the income penalties of more urban areas.
Below-average housing burden statewide
Chowan's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio runs below North Carolina's 18.6% average, positioning the county as relatively affordable within the state. The $766 monthly rent reflects modest demand in this rural Coastal Plain region, benefiting budget-conscious renters and first-time homebuyers.
Eastern North Carolina value play
Chowan's $766 rent beats Caswell County ($699) by a modest margin while staying well under Catawba ($891) and Chatham ($1,066), making it competitive in Eastern North Carolina. The $204,400 median home value aligns with other rural counties, offering stable entry prices for ownership.
Ownership costs outpace rental burden
Chowan renters spend 16.1% of their $56,982 income on rent, but homeowners dedicate 21.3% to monthly ownership costs—a disparity worth noting for prospective buyers. This gap suggests careful financial planning is essential before transitioning from renting to ownership in Chowan County.
Coastal Plain affordability with trade-offs
Chowan County delivers rural charm and low rents at $766/month, ideal for renters and retirees seeking Eastern North Carolina calm. Prospective homeowners should note the 21.3% ownership-to-income burden and compare carefully before purchasing on the $56,982 median income.
Chowan County's median household income of $56,982 falls $17,773 below the national median of $74,755, a 24% gap. The county's rural northeastern location and limited economic diversification contribute to this income shortfall.
Below-average earnings for North Carolina
At $56,982, Chowan's median household income falls $4,090 short of North Carolina's state average of $61,072. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of the state's 100 counties, reflecting its rural coastal plain character.
Middle-range income among rural counties
Chowan's $56,982 sits between Cherokee ($51,496) and Caswell ($59,407), positioning it as a moderate-income rural county. The county outearns Columbus ($48,184) but trails the piedmont counties and wealthy Chatham by substantial margins.
Housing costs take notable income share
Chowan's rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% indicates housing consumes about one-sixth of median household income, above the most affordable benchmarks. The median home value of $204,400 requires careful consideration for households earning around $57,000.
Focus on debt reduction and stability
Chowan households earning $56,982 should prioritize eliminating high-interest debt before pursuing aggressive investing strategies. Building a solid financial foundation through steady savings and debt paydown creates stability and opens pathways to long-term wealth accumulation.
Chowan County's 74.4-year life expectancy matches North Carolina's average but falls short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. About 20.7% of residents report poor or fair health, above the national rate of 18%, revealing health vulnerabilities across the population.
Median performer in state rankings
Chowan ranks at the state average for life expectancy, neither excelling nor significantly lagging peers. Its 20.7% poor/fair health rate places it in the lower-to-middle tier of North Carolina counties.
Better primary care, similar life expectancy
Chowan's 74.4-year life expectancy mirrors Caswell's but trails Chatham's exceptional 79.9 years. However, Chowan's 73 primary care providers per 100,000 vastly exceed Caswell's 22, suggesting access improvements haven't yet translated to longevity gains.
Good access, moderate coverage gaps
Chowan's 11.5% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average, and its 73 primary care providers per 100,000 offer solid preventive care infrastructure. Mental health providers at 158 per 100,000 round out a moderately well-resourced healthcare system.
Complete your care toolkit with insurance
Chowan's strong provider network is only useful with insurance—visit HealthCare.gov to enroll if you're among the 11.5% uninsured. Coverage unlocks access to preventive screenings that can catch problems early.
Chowan County's composite risk score of 34.29 places it in the "Very Low" category, far below the national average. The county experiences minimal exposure to most natural disasters except for one critical exception.
Well below average for North Carolina
Chowan's score of 34.29 ranks substantially below North Carolina's state average of 66.72, placing it among the state's safest counties. The county benefits from relatively low vulnerability across most hazard categories.
Safer than most surrounding counties
Chowan's 34.29 score makes it safer than nearby Caswell County (22.36) and Catawba County (80.57), reflecting strong protections in its immediate region. The county's risk profile compares favorably to neighbors.
Hurricane risk emerges as critical concern
While Chowan ranks very low overall, its hurricane risk score of 89.53 stands among the highest in the state, driven by coastal proximity and Atlantic storm surge exposure. Tornado and earthquake risks remain comparatively low at 27.13 and 31.97.
Hurricane insurance is non-negotiable
Despite overall low risk, Chowan's 89.53 hurricane risk demands robust homeowners insurance with comprehensive wind and water damage coverage. Ensure your policy includes hurricane-specific protections and review it before Atlantic hurricane season.