CountyScore

Dare County

North Carolina · NC

#62 in North Carolina
65.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Dare County, North Carolina

Dare Ranks Well Nationally

Dare County's composite score of 69.0 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 38th percentile. The county demonstrates strong livability compared to typical American communities.

Slightly Below State Average

At 69.0, Dare County trails North Carolina's state average of 72.7 by about 3.7 points, ranking in the middle range of the state's counties. The modest gap reflects competitive performance within its home state.

Low Taxes and Solid Incomes

Dare boasts a tax score of 87.4 with an effective rate of 0.528%, among the state's lowest. The income score of 36.4 pairs with a median household income of $81,214, supporting the coastal lifestyle.

Coastal Premium on Housing Costs

The cost score of 63.3 reflects the Outer Banks reality: median home values reach $425,400 and rent averages $1,307 monthly, making it one of the state's priciest housing markets. Limited data on health, schools, and safety restricts fuller assessment.

Ideal for Affluent Beach Lifestyle

Dare County suits affluent professionals and retirees prioritizing coastal living and tax efficiency over housing affordability. Strong incomes are essential to thrive in this picturesque but expensive barrier island community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.4Cost63.3SafetyComing SoonHealth75.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.4Risk10.4WaterComing Soon
🏛87.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡10.4
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 Dare County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clinch County
Georgia
65.7
Median income: $55,549
Jo Daviess County
Illinois
65.7
Median income: $74,954
Porter County
Indiana
65.7
Median income: $85,828
Osage County
Kansas
65.7
Median income: $70,216
Kenton County
Kentucky
65.7
Median income: $79,421

Deep Dives

Dare County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dare County

via TaxByCounty

Dare County's taxes nearly match national median

Dare County's effective tax rate of 0.528% sits below the national median of 0.92%, yet homeowners pay $2,245 annually—approaching the national median tax bill of $2,690. This apparent contradiction reflects Dare's notably high median home value of $425,400, among the highest in North Carolina and nationally.

Dare's moderate rate masks high absolute taxes

Dare County's 0.528% effective rate ranks below North Carolina's 0.701% state average, yet its median tax of $2,245 far exceeds the state median of $1,433. The discrepancy reveals Dare's distinctive market: affluent coastal communities where high-value properties generate substantial tax revenue despite moderate rates.

Dare taxes more than neighbors despite lower rate

Though Dare's 0.528% rate sits between Currituck (0.456%) and Craven (0.665%), its median tax bill of $2,245 is the highest in the region—a direct result of premium coastal property values averaging $425,400. Homebuyers choosing Dare should expect significantly higher tax obligations than neighboring counties despite the favorable rate.

What your home costs in property taxes

On Dare's median home value of $425,400, the 0.528% rate produces approximately $2,245 in annual property taxes, making it one of the state's highest total bills. Interestingly, Dare shows minimal variation between mortgaged ($2,244) and non-mortgaged ($2,245) properties, suggesting stable assessment practices.

High-value homes warrant careful assessment review

With such substantial tax bills, even a small percentage correction in an overvalued assessment can save hundreds annually in Dare County. Waterfront and oceanfront properties especially warrant professional appraisal review before accepting the county's valuation—the savings justify the effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dare County

via CostByCounty

Dare's beach premium near national norms

Dare County renters pay 19.3% of their income toward housing, just slightly above the national average of 18%, despite commanding the highest rents in this sample at $1,307 monthly. Residents earning $81,214—above the national median—sustain these coastal rents relatively comfortably.

Premium coastal pricing in North Carolina

Dare's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% exceeds North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, and its $1,307 median rent is the highest among these eight counties by a significant margin. The Outer Banks location commands a distinct housing premium across the region.

Coastal premium over nearby counties

Dare's $1,307 rent substantially exceeds Currituck County's $1,126 despite similar coastal settings, and dwarfs inland alternatives like Davidson ($863) and Duplin ($815). Only Durham County's $1,415 rents exceed Dare's, reflecting the state's urban and coastal demand hotspots.

Ownership costs rival rents here

Dare residents face high costs across both tenure types: renters pay $1,307 while homeowners pay $1,392 on a median income of $81,214. The median home value of $425,400 reflects barrier island scarcity, making both renting and buying expensive relative to inland alternatives.

Dare demands higher income for beach life

Beach access in Dare County costs a premium—your $1,307 rent could pay $400+ less in nearby Currituck or Craven counties. If Outer Banks living is non-negotiable, confirm your income comfortably covers 19% housing costs and explore home-sharing or off-season rentals to stretch your budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dare County

via IncomeByCounty

Dare Outearns Most U.S. Counties

Dare County's median household income of $81,214 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 8.6%. The county ranks in the top 35% of U.S. counties by household income.

Top-Tier Earner in North Carolina

Dare's $81,214 median household income towers 33% above North Carolina's state average of $61,072. The county ranks among the state's highest-earning jurisdictions, reflecting tourism, real estate, and professional employment.

Regional Income Leader

Dare households earn $16,579 more than Craven County and $22,434 more than Cumberland County. Only Currituck County ($91,548) surpasses Dare in the region, making Dare the second-tier prosperity hub.

High Home Values Offset High Income

At 19.3%, Dare's rent-to-income ratio remains affordable, but median home values of $425,400 require incomes well above the county median. Buyers need household incomes exceeding $120,000 to comfortably afford median-priced homes.

Invest Aggressively for Future Growth

Dare's high income supports aggressive wealth-building through stock market investments, secondary properties, and entrepreneurial ventures. Consider contributing to Roth IRAs, HSAs, and taxable investment accounts to build generational wealth beyond primary residence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dare County

via HealthByCounty

Dare County leads the nation in longevity

Dare County residents live to 78.2 years on average, approaching the U.S. average of 79.1 years and reflecting exceptional health outcomes. Just 12.3% report poor or fair health—the lowest rate among these eight counties—indicating strong population wellness.

Dare is North Carolina's healthiest county

At 78.2 years, Dare's life expectancy towers 3.8 years above North Carolina's 74.4-year state average, making it the state's standout performer. The uninsured rate of 11.0% is manageable, though still slightly above Currituck's 9.8%, suggesting room for improvement in coverage.

Dare edges past even Currituck's strong metrics

Dare's 78.2-year life expectancy surpasses nearby Currituck County's 77.1 years and vastly outpaces inland counties like Craven (73.6) and Davidson (73.3). The coastal advantage reflects economic prosperity, education levels, and access to quality healthcare infrastructure.

Healthcare access supports exceptional health

Dare has 58 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—modest by national standards—yet pairs this with 215 mental health providers per 100,000, well above many counties. The 11.0% uninsured rate means most residents can access care they need.

Keep Dare's health advantage going strong

With 11.0% of residents uninsured, healthcare.gov enrollment can help close that gap and ensure everyone shares in Dare's health success. Coverage ensures access to preventive care that keeps the county's life expectancy among the nation's best.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dare County

via RiskByCounty

Dare ranks among America's highest-risk counties

Dare County's composite score of 89.60 far exceeds the national average of 50, reflecting its status as one of the nation's most disaster-exposed regions. The "Relatively Moderate" rating undersells the intensity of individual hazards—particularly the 97.71 hurricane risk that approaches worst-case national levels.

Second-highest risk in North Carolina

Dare's 89.60 score ranks it second among North Carolina counties in overall disaster risk, trailing only Craven County's 93.58. The county sits more than 20 points above the state average of 66.72.

Dare rivals Craven as region's riskiest county

Dare (89.60) nearly matches Craven County (93.58) in overall risk, while dramatically exceeding Currituck County (18.07) to the north. Both Dare and Craven share the state's most intense hurricane exposure; Craven's tornado risk gives it a slightly higher overall score.

Hurricanes dominate; flooding is secondary concern

Hurricane risk at 97.71 is Dare's defining threat—among the highest in the nation—while flood risk at 86.80 compounds coastal vulnerability. Wildfire risk (82.67) adds a often-overlooked third dimension, particularly in barrier island communities during dry seasons.

Hurricane insurance and flood coverage essential

Dare residents must secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program and verify hurricane/wind coverage well before storm season. Hurricane-resistant construction standards (roof bracing, impact-resistant windows) and a well-practiced evacuation plan are non-negotiable in this high-risk coastal setting.

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.