CountyScore

Craven County

North Carolina · NC

#76 in North Carolina
64.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Craven County, North Carolina

Craven Outpaces the Nation

Craven County scores 71.3 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly ahead of the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top 43rd percentile nationally, marking it as a solidly livable community by nationwide standards.

Slight Edge Within North Carolina

At 71.3, Craven County slightly trails the state average of 72.7, ranking it in the middle tier among North Carolina's counties. The narrow gap suggests Craven is performing at near-state norms across measured dimensions.

Tax Burden and Housing Affordability

Craven County excels in tax efficiency with a score of 83.6 and an effective tax rate of just 0.665%—among the lowest in the state. The cost score of 73.5 reflects moderate affordability, with median home values at $206,200 and rent averaging $1,100 monthly.

Income Levels Need Growth

The income score of 25.6 is a notable weak point, with a median household income of $64,635 below state and regional norms. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental factors remain unmeasured, limiting a complete livability picture.

Best for Tax-Conscious Families

Craven County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and moderate housing costs over high wages. If affordability and tax efficiency matter more than income growth potential, this county offers solid livability at a fair price.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.6Cost73.5SafetyComing SoonHealth65.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk6.4WaterComing Soon
🏛83.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.4
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 Craven County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Macon County
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Median income: $37,177
Davis County
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Median income: $79,505
Saline County
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Median income: $63,316

Deep Dives

Craven County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Craven County

via TaxByCounty

Craven's tax rate lags behind national norm

At 0.665%, Craven County's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.92%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay $1,372 annually on a median home valued at $206,200—less than half the national median property tax of $2,690, largely because homes are less expensive in this region.

Craven ranks in the middle of NC counties

North Carolina's average effective tax rate stands at 0.701%, and Craven's 0.665% rate puts it slightly below that statewide average. The county's median tax bill of $1,372 is nearly identical to the state median of $1,433, reflecting typical property values for rural eastern North Carolina.

Similar tax burden to nearby counties

Craven's rate of 0.665% closely mirrors neighboring Davie County (0.667%) and falls between Davidson County (0.631%) to the west and Currituck County (0.456%) to the north. Local homeowners with mortgages pay around $1,434 annually, tracking with regional norms for this part of the state.

What your home costs in property taxes

On Craven's median home value of $206,200, you'd owe approximately $1,372 in annual property taxes at the current 0.665% rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises slightly to $1,434 due to escrow adjustments; without a mortgage, it drops to $1,275.

Challenge your assessment if it seems high

Property assessments don't always reflect market reality, and many Craven County homeowners are paying taxes on inflated valuations. If your home's assessed value seems out of line with recent sales in your neighborhood, filing an appeal with the county tax assessor's office could lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Craven County

via CostByCounty

Craven rents slightly strain household budgets

Renters in Craven County dedicate 20.4% of their income to housing, slightly above the national average of 18%. This means a typical renter household earning $64,635 annually spends about $1,100 monthly on rent—a manageable but tight burden compared to national norms.

Middle of the pack in North Carolina

Craven's rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% ranks it above North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, indicating moderately higher housing pressure than typical for the state. At $1,100 per month, median rent exceeds the state average of $938, contributing to this less favorable position.

Pricier than inland cousins

Craven's $1,100 median rent sits between nearby Davidson County ($863) and coastal Dare County ($1,307). While more affordable than the beachside premium in Dare, Craven costs renters significantly more than the piedmont bargains found in Davidson and Duplin counties.

Split nearly evenly between rent and ownership

Renters spend $1,100 monthly while homeowners pay $976—a rare case where renters pay more than owners. With median household income at $64,635, housing absorbs roughly one-fifth of gross income for renters and about 18% for mortgage holders.

Consider Craven for coastal living on budget

If you're drawn to North Carolina's coastal communities, Craven offers more affordable rents than Dare County while maintaining similar income levels to neighboring regions. Compare Craven's $1,100 rents and $206,200 median home values against inland alternatives like Davidson or Davie for your best affordability match.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Craven County

via IncomeByCounty

Craven Earns Below National Median

Craven County's median household income of $64,635 lags 13.5% behind the national median of $74,755. The county ranks outside the top half of U.S. counties by income, positioning it in the lower-middle range nationally.

Above Average Among NC Counties

Craven's $64,635 median household income exceeds North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by about 5.8%. This places Craven in the upper-middle tier of the state's 100 counties.

Strong Income vs. Nearby Counties

Craven households earn $5,855 more than Cumberland County ($58,780) but significantly less than neighboring Dare County ($81,214). Among its peers, Craven ranks solidly, outpacing several eastern NC counties while trailing the coastal prosperity zone.

Rent Remains Affordable Here

At 20.4%, Craven's rent-to-income ratio sits below the 21% affordability threshold, meaning most renters spend a manageable portion of income on housing. The median home value of $206,200 is achievable for households earning above the county median.

Build Financial Security Today

With above-state-average income and reasonable housing costs, Craven households have room to save and invest. Consider directing 10-15% of household earnings toward retirement accounts and emergency savings to strengthen long-term financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Craven County

via HealthByCounty

Craven's life expectancy lags national average

At 73.6 years, Craven County residents live about 5.5 years less than the U.S. average of 79.1 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.1%) report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17.5%, suggesting significant health challenges across the county.

Below-average health within North Carolina

Craven County's life expectancy of 73.6 years falls 0.8 years below North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years. With an uninsured rate of 11.0%—better than the state's 12.5%—residents have slightly more insurance coverage, though health outcomes remain concerning.

Neighbors show stark health disparities

Craven's 73.6-year life expectancy contrasts sharply with nearby Currituck County (77.1 years) and Dare County (78.2 years), both of which boast significantly better health outcomes. Even neighboring Cumberland County at 72.8 years faces similar struggles, suggesting eastern and central North Carolina face distinct health challenges.

Primary care accessibility remains a barrier

Craven has 75 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—above the national average of 65 but still limiting choice and wait times for a growing population. Mental health services are more robust at 326 providers per 100,000, though the uninsured rate of 11.0% means many residents cannot afford to access them.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among Craven's uninsured residents, healthcare.gov and North Carolina's state marketplace make enrollment straightforward—many qualify for financial help. Taking time to explore plans now can connect you to preventive care that addresses the county's broader health challenges.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Craven County

via RiskByCounty

Craven ranks above average for disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 93.58, Craven County faces significantly higher natural disaster risk than the national average of 50. The county's "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects a landscape vulnerable to multiple hazard types, particularly hurricanes and tornadoes.

Among North Carolina's riskiest counties

Craven's score of 93.58 places it well above North Carolina's state average of 66.72, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's 100 counties. This elevation reflects the county's coastal and regional vulnerability to severe weather systems.

Craven faces higher risks than nearby counties

Craven's score of 93.58 exceeds neighboring Currituck County (18.07) substantially, and compares closely to Dare County (89.60) to the north. Both Craven and Dare share intense hurricane exposure, but Craven's inland tornado risk pushes its overall score higher.

Hurricanes and tornadoes pose top threats

Hurricane risk dominates at 98.62—among the highest in the state—while tornado risk at 86.39 creates an additional multi-season threat. Flooding also presents a consistent hazard with a score of 76.05, particularly during heavy rainfall and storm surge events.

Comprehensive insurance is essential here

Standard homeowners policies don't cover hurricane or flood damage; Craven residents should secure separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program and review hurricane/wind coverage with their agent. Given the dual tornado and hurricane threat, a robust emergency preparedness plan—including a safe room or shelter—offers critical protection.

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.