CountyScore

Cumberland County

North Carolina · NC

#99 in North Carolina
61.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Cumberland County, North Carolina

Cumberland Performs Well Nationally

Cumberland County's composite score of 65.7 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 31st percentile. Despite being below state average, the county ranks firmly in the upper half of American counties.

Below State Average in North Carolina

At 65.7, Cumberland County trails the state average of 72.7 by about 7 points, ranking it in the lower-middle range of North Carolina counties. This gap suggests room for improvement in tax efficiency and housing affordability.

Moderate Taxes and Rental Affordability

Cumberland's tax score of 74.4 and cost score of 70.1 provide decent value, with an effective tax rate of 0.992% and median rent at $1,156 monthly. Home values average $183,700, making housing relatively accessible in the region.

Income Gap and Limited Data

An income score of just 21.8 reflects median household earnings of $58,780, significantly below state norms. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unmeasured, leaving substantial gaps in the livability assessment.

Suitable for Budget-Minded Workers

Cumberland County works best for individuals and families with modest incomes seeking affordable housing and manageable taxes. Those prioritizing economic growth or top-tier schools should explore higher-scoring counties in the state.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.4Cost70.1SafetyComing SoonHealth65.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk10.5WaterComing Soon
🏛74.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡10.5
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 Cumberland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Florida
61.1
Median income: $83,030
Ford County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $70,495
Seward County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $62,269
Stevens County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $61,909
Frederick County
Maryland
61.1
Median income: $120,458

Deep Dives

Cumberland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cumberland County

via TaxByCounty

Cumberland's taxes rank near the national average

Cumberland County's effective tax rate of 0.992% exceeds the national median of 0.92%, placing it roughly in the 60th percentile nationally. Homeowners pay $1,823 annually on homes valued at $183,700, a substantially lower property base that keeps the total tax burden moderate despite a higher rate.

Cumberland taxes above the North Carolina average

At 0.992%, Cumberland's effective tax rate is notably higher than North Carolina's 0.701% state average, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's counties. The median tax bill of $1,823 exceeds the state median of $1,433, reflecting the county's relatively aggressive property tax approach.

Cumberland stands out for higher tax rate

Cumberland's 0.992% rate substantially exceeds Davidson County (0.631%) and Craven County (0.665%) to the south, making it one of the more tax-heavy counties in eastern North Carolina. Only Durham County (0.839%) comes closer, though it still taxes at a notably lower rate than Cumberland.

What your home costs in property taxes

On Cumberland's median home value of $183,700, you'd owe approximately $1,823 in annual property taxes under the current 0.992% rate. With a mortgage, that obligation climbs to $1,958; without one, it falls to $1,545, reflecting escrow and appraisal variations.

Appeal your assessment if rates seem unfair

Cumberland's higher tax rate makes property assessment accuracy especially critical—an overvalued home can mean hundreds in excess taxes annually. Review your most recent assessment against comparable sales in your neighborhood, and don't hesitate to file an appeal if your valuation appears inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cumberland County

via CostByCounty

Cumberland's housing hits households hard

Households in Cumberland County devote 23.6% of their income to rent—significantly above the national benchmark of 18%. This burden falls heaviest on a median household earning $58,780, which is $16,000 below the national average and pays $1,156 monthly for housing.

Least affordable county in sample

Cumberland's 23.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks it as the most strained housing market among these eight North Carolina counties. The county's $1,156 median rent outpaces the state average by $218, creating the sharpest affordability squeeze in this comparison group.

Fort Bragg effect raises regional rents

Cumberland's $1,156 rent substantially exceeds nearby Duplin County ($815) and Davidson County ($863), reflecting its military-anchor economy and urban character. Only Dare County ($1,307) and Durham County ($1,415) command higher rents in this regional analysis.

Owner costs nearly match rents

Both renters and owners face high monthly burdens: renters pay $1,156 while homeowners pay $1,134 on a median income of $58,780. Together, these housing costs consume nearly 24% of gross income, leaving less for other essentials than any other county in this group.

Weigh Cumberland's tradeoffs carefully

Cumberland's military presence and job opportunities come at a housing cost premium—your rent dollars stretch further in nearby Davidson or Duplin counties. If relocating here, budget aggressively and compare salaries carefully; a $5,000–$10,000 income bump could meaningfully ease your housing burden.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cumberland County

via IncomeByCounty

Cumberland Falls Short Nationally

Cumberland County's median household income of $58,780 trails the national median of $74,755 by 21.4%. The county ranks in the bottom third of U.S. counties for household income.

Below NC State Average

Cumberland's $58,780 median household income falls 3.8% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072. The county ranks in the lower half of the state's income distribution.

Struggling vs. Regional Peers

Cumberland earns $5,855 less than Craven County and $22,434 less than nearby Dare County. Among its neighbors, Cumberland faces the steepest income challenge, reflecting economic differences within the region.

Rent Squeeze Requires Attention

At 23.6%, Cumberland's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 21% affordability threshold, meaning renters stretch further to cover housing costs. With median home values at $183,700, homeownership requires careful financial planning.

Prioritize Debt and Savings

Given the higher housing burden, Cumberland households should focus on eliminating high-interest debt first, then build a modest emergency fund of $2,000–$5,000. Low-cost investment options like employer 401(k)s can still accelerate wealth-building even on modest income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cumberland County

via HealthByCounty

Cumberland's life expectancy trails the nation

Cumberland County residents live to 72.8 years on average, roughly 6.3 years less than the U.S. average of 79.1 years. With 18.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county sits slightly above the national average of 17.5%, indicating broader health burdens.

One of North Carolina's lower-performing counties

At 72.8 years, Cumberland's life expectancy ranks among the state's lowest, sitting 1.6 years below North Carolina's 74.4-year average. The county's uninsured rate of 10.6% is better than the state's 12.5%, yet health outcomes suggest other barriers—poverty, employment, healthcare quality—drive disparities.

Neighbors reflect Cumberland's health struggles

Cumberland's 72.8-year life expectancy mirrors Craven County's 73.6 years, both reflecting challenges in eastern and central North Carolina. In contrast, Currituck (77.1) and Dare (78.2) counties to the northeast achieve significantly higher life expectancies, highlighting geographic health inequities.

Mental health access outpaces primary care supply

Cumberland offers 71 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the national average of 65—while mental health services are notably stronger at 466 per 100,000. The uninsured rate of 10.6% means many residents still struggle to afford specialist care despite provider availability.

Insurance options are within reach

Cumberland's uninsured population should explore healthcare.gov, where most qualify for subsidies or premium tax credits based on income. Enrolling now opens doors to preventive care and mental health services that can improve long-term health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cumberland County

via RiskByCounty

Cumberland faces well-above-average risk nationally

Cumberland County's composite score of 89.47 significantly exceeds the national average of 50, earning a "Relatively Moderate" risk rating. The county experiences substantial exposure across multiple hazard types, from tornadoes to earthquakes—an unusually diverse threat profile.

Fourth-highest risk in North Carolina

Cumberland's 89.47 score places it among North Carolina's riskiest counties, well above the state average of 66.72. Only a handful of counties statewide face comparably varied and intense natural disaster exposure.

Cumberland leads region in overall risk

Cumberland (89.47) faces notably higher risk than neighboring Davie County (41.67), though it rivals Craven County (93.58) and Duplin County (89.41) in overall score. The county's inland location gives it higher tornado exposure than coastal neighbors, while still maintaining elevated hurricane and flood risks.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes converge

Tornado risk stands at 92.97—the highest threat—while flood risk at 89.25 reflects Cumberland's river systems and heavy rainfall patterns. Earthquake risk at 87.50 is notably high for North Carolina, adding a less-familiar but real seismic dimension to the county's hazard profile.

Multi-layered protection plan needed

Cumberland residents should obtain flood insurance, review earthquake coverage availability, and ensure homeowners policies address high winds. A designated storm shelter and a family communication plan specific to tornadoes and flooding scenarios provide essential safety redundancy.

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.