Currituck County

North Carolina · NC

#9 in North Carolina
72.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Currituck County, North Carolina

Currituck Stands Above National Median

Currituck County's composite score of 71.3 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 43rd percentile nationwide. The county demonstrates solid livability by national standards, matching Craven County's strong performance.

Near State Average Performance

Currituck's 71.3 score nearly matches North Carolina's 72.7 state average, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of the state's counties. The county performs competitively within its home state across measured dimensions.

Highest Incomes and Lowest Taxes

Currituck excels with an income score of 43.1 and median household earnings of $91,548—among the highest in the state. The tax score of 89.5 and effective tax rate of just 0.456% provide exceptional fiscal advantage.

Housing Costs Reflect Coastal Premium

The cost score of 64.7 reflects the coastal market reality, with median home values at $351,200 and median rent at $1,126. While incomes support these prices, affordability remains limited compared to inland counties.

Perfect for Affluent Coastal Living

Currituck County best suits higher-income professionals and retirees seeking coastal living with minimal tax burden. The combination of strong incomes and low taxes makes it ideal for those who can afford premium property values.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.5Cost64.7SafetyComing SoonHealth73.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome43.1Risk82WaterComing Soon
🏛89.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠64.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼43.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
82
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Currituck County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Currituck County

via TaxByCounty

Currituck offers remarkably low tax rates

At 0.456%, Currituck County's effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 10% nationally, making it one of America's most tax-friendly counties for property owners. Despite this advantageous rate, the median annual tax of $1,600 reflects the county's higher median home value of $351,200, well above the national median of $281,900.

Currituck's rate is the lowest in North Carolina

Currituck's 0.456% effective rate sits far below North Carolina's 0.701% state average, making it the most tax-efficient county in the state. This favorable rate combined with substantial property values creates a unique advantage: relatively high-value homes taxed at unusually modest rates.

Currituck taxes far more lightly than neighbors

Currituck's 0.456% rate dramatically undercuts neighboring Dare County (0.528%) and Craven County (0.665%), giving homeowners here a significant tax advantage in the coastal region. Only a handful of North Carolina counties come close to matching Currituck's tax efficiency.

What your home costs in property taxes

On Currituck's median home value of $351,200, the low 0.456% rate translates to approximately $1,600 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages see this rise modestly to $1,687, while those without mortgages pay $1,351, depending on how county escrow calculations apply.

Even low rates reward assessment review

Currituck's favorable tax climate doesn't mean all assessments are accurate—coastal property values fluctuate frequently, and some homes may be overvalued. A formal assessment appeal is simple and could save you money, even in a county already offering some of the nation's lowest rates.

Cost of Living in Currituck County

via CostByCounty

Currituck renters enjoy rare affordability

At just 14.8%, Currituck's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this eight-county sample and well below the national average of 18%. Residents earning $91,548—the highest median household income in this group—pay only $1,126 monthly, leaving more income for other priorities.

Top-tier affordability in North Carolina

Currituck's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio significantly outperforms North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, placing it among the state's most housing-affordable counties. The combination of high incomes and moderate rents creates exceptional affordability, unique among North Carolina's coastal markets.

High incomes, reasonable rents

Currituck's $1,126 rent sits between nearby Craven County ($1,100) and Dare County ($1,307), but its $91,548 median income far exceeds both neighbors. This income advantage transforms an average rent into an unusually comfortable housing expense.

Homeowners carry bigger load here

Renters spend $1,126 monthly while homeowners pay $1,526 for a median home valued at $351,200—the ownership cost burden is notably heavier. Still, on a $91,548 income, even the $1,526 owner cost represents only 20% of gross income, remaining manageable.

Currituck offers coastal comfort affordably

If you're relocating to North Carolina's Outer Banks region, Currituck delivers beach access with better affordability than Dare County and stronger incomes than neighboring areas. Your housing dollars stretch furthest here—compare Currituck's 14.8% rent burden against Dare's 19.3% to quantify the savings.

Income & Jobs in Currituck County

via IncomeByCounty

Currituck Leads National Income Rankings

Currituck County's median household income of $91,548 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 22.3%. The county ranks in the top 20% of U.S. counties for household income.

NC's Wealthiest County Profile

Currituck's $91,548 median household income exceeds North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by 50%. The county ranks among the state's top earners, driven by high property values and successful households.

Prosperity Outpaces Surrounding Region

Currituck households earn $10,334 more than Dare County ($81,214) and $26,913 more than Craven County ($64,635). This extreme wealth concentration reflects Currituck's exclusive coastal positioning and affluent demographics.

Housing Costs Well Controlled

At 14.8%, Currituck's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among peer counties, indicating comfortable housing affordability despite median home values of $351,200. High incomes and manageable rent burdens create strong economic security.

Maximize Investment and Diversification

Currituck's strong income position enables households to allocate 20-30% of earnings toward diversified investments: index funds, real estate, and retirement vehicles. Working with a financial advisor to optimize tax strategy can accelerate wealth accumulation significantly.

Health in Currituck County

via HealthByCounty

Currituck's health outcomes exceed national average

At 77.1 years, Currituck County's life expectancy outpaces the U.S. average of 79.1 by just over 2 years short, placing it among North Carolina's healthiest counties. Only 14.4% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 17.5%.

Currituck leads North Carolina in health

With a life expectancy of 77.1 years, Currituck exceeds North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years by 2.7 years. The county's uninsured rate of 9.8% is the lowest among the eight counties reviewed, indicating strong economic security and healthcare access.

Neighboring Dare County edges ahead slightly

Currituck's 77.1-year life expectancy compares favorably to most of the state, though neighboring Dare County achieves 78.2 years. Both coastal counties significantly outperform inland regions like Davidson (73.3) and Duplin (73.8), suggesting geography and economic structure shape regional health.

Primary care access is limited despite strong outcomes

Currituck has only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below national averages—yet maintains excellent population health, likely due to low uninsured rates and higher income levels. Mental health providers are sparse at 82 per 100,000, meaning residents may travel for specialized care.

Maintain your coverage and health

With Currituck's strong health metrics and 9.8% uninsured rate, most residents have coverage. Those without should visit healthcare.gov to secure plans that keep Currituck's health advantage strong for years to come.

Disaster Risk in Currituck County

via RiskByCounty

Currituck's overall risk remains very low

With a composite score of just 18.07, Currituck County ranks far below the national average of 50 and carries a "Very Low" risk rating. However, this favorable overall profile masks a significant localized vulnerability: hurricane risk of 80.73 demands targeted preparation.

Among North Carolina's safest counties

Currituck's 18.07 score is the lowest among these eight counties and substantially below the state average of 66.72. The county ranks among North Carolina's least disaster-prone communities overall.

Currituck stands apart as notably safer

Currituck (18.07) faces a fraction of the risk borne by neighboring Dare County (89.60) and Craven County (93.58) to the south. Its very low tornado and earthquake scores explain the stark difference, though all three share meaningful hurricane exposure.

Hurricane risk is the primary concern

Hurricane risk at 80.73 dominates Currituck's hazard profile, while tornado (21.85) and earthquake (22.01) risks remain minimal. Flood risk (57.60) presents a secondary but manageable concern, chiefly tied to storm surge and heavy coastal rainfall.

Focus on hurricane and wind preparedness

Despite the county's overall low-risk standing, Currituck residents living in vulnerable coastal and flood zones should prioritize flood insurance and verify hurricane/wind coverage. Upgrading roof ties, securing outdoor items, and maintaining an evacuation plan are practical first steps suited to the county's specific hurricane threat.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.