CountyScore

Columbus County

North Carolina · NC

#87 in North Carolina
63.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Columbus County, North Carolina

Solid livability above national norm

Columbus County scores 73.1, nearly 46% higher than the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates respectable overall livability despite economic constraints.

Slightly above state average

At 73.1, Columbus modestly exceeds North Carolina's average of 72.7, placing it in the middle range of state counties. The county holds steady among regional peers.

Housing affordability is exceptional

Columbus excels in cost with a score of 84.2, featuring the lowest median home value at $128,300 and modest rent of $775/month. The county offers genuine affordability for budget-conscious families.

Lower incomes and higher taxes offset gains

An income score of 14.8 and median household income of $48,184 rank lowest in this group, while a tax score of 77.7 reflects a higher effective rate of 0.873%. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unmeasured.

Suits budget-focused households

Columbus County appeals to very cost-conscious families and retirees seeking the lowest possible housing costs in rural Eastern North Carolina. It's best for independent households with limited incomes seeking maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.7Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth55.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.8Risk13.1WaterComing Soon
🏛77.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.1
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 Columbus County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Georgia
63.6
Median income: $108,986
Maui County
Hawaii
63.6
Median income: $95,076
Macoupin County
Illinois
63.6
Median income: $68,518
East Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana
63.6
Median income: $63,075
Kent County
Michigan
63.6
Median income: $80,390

Deep Dives

Columbus County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Columbus County

via TaxByCounty

Columbus runs above national typical

At 0.873%, Columbus County's effective rate exceeds the national median of 0.88% by a slim margin, putting it squarely at the 60th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $1,120 runs less than 42% of the national median of $2,690, keeping absolute costs manageable despite the higher rate.

Columbus ranks among North Carolina's highest

Columbus's 0.873% rate runs 24% above North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it the second-highest effective rate among the eight counties examined. The median tax of $1,120 stays below the state median of $1,433, reflecting Columbus's lower median home values despite the elevated rate.

Columbus has the highest regional rate

Columbus's 0.873% rate significantly outpaces every peer county in this analysis, including Caswell (0.677%), Cleveland (0.688%), and Chowan (0.686%). The gap reflects Columbus's unique fiscal circumstances and cost structure, making tax burden a notable consideration for potential residents.

Median home costs $1,120 yearly

A typical Columbus home valued at $128,300 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,120. With a mortgage, the effective bill climbs substantially to $1,357 due to additional county assessments.

Challenge overassessment aggressively

Columbus's higher rate makes accurate assessments crucial—even small overvaluations compound meaningfully with a 0.873% multiplier. Contact Columbus County's assessor office to request a free assessment appeal and confirm your home isn't carrying excess tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Columbus County

via CostByCounty

Columbus edges above national housing strain

Columbus County's 19.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national norm, with $775 median rent consuming a notable slice of the $48,184 median income. This Southeastern North Carolina county faces steeper relative housing burdens than typical American communities, especially given its below-national income level.

North Carolina's most strained housing burden

Columbus County carries the highest rent-to-income ratio among the eight counties reviewed at 19.3%, exceeding North Carolina's 18.6% state average and signaling genuine housing affordability pressure. The $48,184 median income—lowest in this group—compounds the challenge despite modest rents of $775.

Lowest income, highest housing burden

Columbus's $775 rent is affordable in isolation, but paired with the lowest median income of $48,184 in this cohort, it creates the steepest rent-to-income ratio at 19.3%. Neighboring Chowan ($56,982 income) and Caswell ($59,407 income) both manage housing more comfortably despite higher absolute rents.

Income strain ripples through housing

Columbus renters dedicate 19.3% of their $48,184 income to housing, while homeowners commit 16.9% to mortgages—the latter pathway offering relative relief but still substantial burden. The $128,300 median home value is lowest in the group, making homeownership the more realistic path for financial stability.

Affordability requires careful income alignment

Columbus County's 19.3% rent-to-income ratio signals genuine affordability concerns for lower-income relocators, though $775 rents and $128,300 home values remain among North Carolina's lowest. Consider Columbus only if your household income exceeds the $48,184 county median, or prioritize homeownership over renting to build long-term equity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Columbus County

via IncomeByCounty

Columbus faces severe income disadvantages

Columbus County's median household income of $48,184 falls $26,571 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 36% deficit. The county ranks among America's poorest, reflecting rural southeastern North Carolina's persistent economic challenges.

North Carolina's lowest county income

At $48,184, Columbus has the lowest median household income among all eight counties analyzed and ranks in the absolute bottom tier statewide. The county trails North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by $12,888, reflecting decades of economic decline.

Poorest county in all comparisons

Columbus's $48,184 income is the lowest in this eight-county analysis, nearly $3,500 below Cherokee and $10,000 below Caswell. The county's agricultural base and limited industrial development leave few pathways to higher-wage employment.

Housing costs pose critical affordability crisis

Columbus's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% is the highest in this group, meaning one-fifth of household income goes to housing alone. The median home value of $128,300 is the lowest in this comparison, yet still strains household budgets earning less than $50,000.

Seek regional opportunity and support services

Columbus County residents earning $48,184 face acute economic pressure requiring strategic action, including exploring employer benefits like income-based programs and nonprofit financial counseling services. Consider regional job markets in nearby areas and workforce development programs to increase earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Columbus County

via HealthByCounty

Critically low life expectancy

Columbus County's 69.7-year life expectancy is the lowest in the nation for these eight counties—trailing the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly seven years and North Carolina's 74.4 years by 4.7 years. With 24.1% reporting poor or fair health, Columbus faces the region's most severe health crisis.

Worst health outcomes in state

Columbus ranks at the very bottom of North Carolina counties for life expectancy, a stark disparity that demands urgent action. Its 24.1% poor/fair health rate is the highest among these eight counties, reflecting a population in acute health distress.

Massive gap versus peer counties

Columbus's 69.7-year life expectancy lags Chatham's 79.9 years by a devastating 10.2 years—a gap that reflects decades of accumulated disadvantage. With only 40 primary care providers per 100,000, Columbus has the lowest primary care access among peers.

Highest uninsured and access gaps

Columbus's 13.7% uninsured rate is the highest in the region, and with just 40 primary care providers per 100,000—lowest among peers—residents face a double barrier to care. This combination of coverage and access shortages creates a healthcare desert where preventive care is scarce.

Immediate action can save lives

Columbus residents must prioritize health insurance: visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid and Marketplace options immediately. Every gap in coverage delays care that could extend life—and Columbus cannot afford further delay.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Columbus County

via RiskByCounty

Columbus faces highest risk of this group

Columbus County's composite risk score of 86.86 places it in the "Relatively Moderate" category, substantially above the national average. The county experiences significant exposure to multiple natural hazards simultaneously.

Among North Carolina's riskiest counties

Columbus's score of 86.86 substantially exceeds North Carolina's state average of 66.72, ranking it among the state's highest-risk counties. The county faces above-average vulnerability across nearly every hazard category.

Riskiest county in its immediate region

Columbus's 86.86 score significantly exceeds neighboring Cleveland County (70.01) and Catawba County (80.57), making it the riskiest county in the region. No immediate neighbors approach Columbus's composite risk level.

Hurricanes pose exceptional threat

Columbus County faces hurricane risk of 96.75—among the highest in the state—driven by southeastern coastal proximity and Atlantic storm surge exposure. Tornado risk at 82.35, earthquake risk at 82.38, and wildfire risk at 77.70 create multiple concurrent hazards.

Comprehensive insurance is critical

Columbus residents must maintain robust homeowners insurance with extensive coverage for wind, water, flood, and fire damage given the county's 96.75 hurricane risk. Strongly consider separate flood insurance and verify coverage limits before Atlantic hurricane season each year.

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.