CountyScore

Davidson County

North Carolina · NC

#46 in North Carolina
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Davidson County, North Carolina

Davidson Outperforms Nationally

Davidson County's composite score of 74.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 50th percentile. The county ranks among America's more livable communities on measured fiscal and housing dimensions.

Top Performer in North Carolina

At 74.8, Davidson County exceeds the state average of 72.7 and ranks among North Carolina's strongest counties. The county demonstrates above-average performance across measured dimensions within its competitive home state.

Outstanding Affordability and Taxes

Davidson's standout strength is affordability, with a cost score of 80.2 and median rent at just $863 monthly—the lowest among these eight counties. The tax score of 84.5 and effective rate of 0.631% add exceptional value for residents.

Income Levels Lag Behind

The income score of 24.1 is a notable limitation, with median household income at $62,426, below state norms. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured, leaving important livability dimensions incomplete.

Best for Cost-Conscious Families

Davidson County excels for budget-conscious families and working professionals seeking the lowest rents and strong tax efficiency. Those with modest incomes or seeking maximum affordability will find exceptional value here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.5Cost80.2SafetyComing SoonHealth65.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.1Risk12.8WaterComing Soon
🏛84.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡12.8
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 Davidson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baldwin County
Alabama
67.2
Median income: $75,019
Aleutians East Borough
Alaska
67.2
Median income: $72,692
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Alaska
67.2
Median income: $74,223
Garland County
Arkansas
67.2
Median income: $55,409
Berrien County
Georgia
67.2
Median income: $50,414

Deep Dives

Davidson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Davidson County

via TaxByCounty

Davidson offers tax rates well below national average

Davidson County's effective tax rate of 0.631% falls meaningfully below the national median of 0.92%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. The median annual tax of $1,262 on homes valued at $200,100 represents a notably light property tax burden compared to the national median bill of $2,690.

Davidson taxes below the North Carolina average

Davidson's 0.631% effective rate sits just below North Carolina's 0.701% state average, positioning it as a moderately tax-efficient county within the state. The median tax bill of $1,262 trails the state median of $1,433, reflecting both lower property values and a slightly favorable rate structure.

Davidson offers competitive rates in the Piedmont

Davidson's 0.631% rate closely tracks Craven County (0.665%) and falls between Davie County (0.667%) and Currituck County (0.456%) in the broader regional context. The median tax bill of $1,262 is among the lowest in its region, appealing to homebuyers seeking tax efficiency in the North Carolina Piedmont.

What your home costs in property taxes

On Davidson's median home value of $200,100, you'd owe approximately $1,262 in annual property taxes at the current 0.631% rate. With a mortgage, this rises to $1,363; without one, it drops to $1,109, reflecting modest variations in county assessment methodology.

Don't assume your assessment is accurate

Even with reasonable tax rates, Davidson County homeowners should periodically verify that their assessed values match market realities in their neighborhoods. An outdated or inflated assessment could cost you hundreds annually—filing an appeal is free and takes minimal effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Davidson County

via CostByCounty

Davidson delivers affordable Piedmont living

Davidson County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% ranks among the nation's most affordable, sitting comfortably below the national average of 18%. Residents earning $62,426 pay only $863 monthly for rent—a remarkable bargain that frees up income for savings and necessities.

Piedmont's affordability sweet spot

Davidson's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio beats North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, and its $863 median rent is the lowest in this eight-county sample by $200+. This affordability positions Davidson as a standout value in the state's housing market.

Inland bargain beats coastal prices

Davidson's $863 rent significantly undercuts nearby Davie County ($889) and dramatically beats coastal neighbors like Dare ($1,307) and Durham ($1,415). Only Duplin County's $815 rents rival Davidson's affordability, making both piedmont counties the region's best housing values.

Balanced affordability for renters and owners

Both renters and homeowners find good deals here: renters pay $863 while owners pay $831 monthly on a $62,426 income. Housing consumes roughly 16.6% of income for renters and 16% for owners—tight but manageable across the county.

Davidson: affordability meets North Carolina charm

If you're relocating to North Carolina on a modest budget, Davidson County delivers the state's best rent-to-income value while maintaining reasonable incomes and home values around $200,000. Compare Davidson's $863 rent against state and national averages to see your savings clearly—you could pocket $200+ monthly versus coastal alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Davidson County

via IncomeByCounty

Davidson Trails National Income Standard

Davidson County's median household income of $62,426 falls 16.5% below the national median of $74,755. The county ranks in the bottom third of U.S. counties for household income.

Slightly Below NC Average

Davidson's $62,426 median household income is 2.1% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of the state's income distribution.

Mixed Fortunes Among Peers

Davidson earns $2,209 more than Craven County but significantly less than nearby Davie County ($73,234). The county's Piedmont location positions it below coastal prosperity zones while ahead of rural eastern neighbors.

Housing Costs Very Manageable

At 16.6%, Davidson's rent-to-income ratio is the best in this comparison group, well below the 21% threshold for affordability. Median home values of $200,100 remain accessible for households at the median income level.

Leverage Low Housing Costs

Davidson's exceptional housing affordability frees up 15-20% of household income for savings and investment compared to national norms. Direct these savings toward retirement accounts and a diversified investment portfolio to build wealth despite below-average earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Davidson County

via HealthByCounty

Davidson's health outcomes significantly lag nation

Davidson County residents live to 73.3 years, roughly 5.8 years below the U.S. average of 79.1 years. With 17.9% reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of 17.5%—the county faces serious health headwinds.

Among North Carolina's worst health performers

Davidson's life expectancy of 73.3 years trails North Carolina's 74.4-year state average by 1.1 years, placing it among the state's lowest-performing counties. The uninsured rate of 12.3% equals the state average, suggesting broader structural barriers—not just access—drive poor outcomes.

Inland counties face shared health crises

Davidson's 73.3 years mirrors neighboring Duplin County (73.8) and Craven County (73.6), all facing similar challenges in central and eastern North Carolina. In contrast, coastal Dare (78.2) and Currituck (77.1) counties enjoy life expectancies nearly 5 years higher, highlighting stark regional disparities.

Primary care and mental health providers scarce

Davidson has only 28 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the national average of 65—and just 126 mental health providers per 100,000. These shortages, combined with a 12.3% uninsured rate, mean many residents travel far for care or forgo treatment entirely.

Healthcare coverage starts here

Davidson's uninsured population should visit healthcare.gov today—most will qualify for subsidies or tax credits that make plans affordable. Getting covered is the first step toward accessing the primary and mental health care that can help improve Davidson's health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Davidson County

via RiskByCounty

Davidson's risk substantially exceeds national norms

Davidson County's composite score of 87.21 far surpasses the national average of 50, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating. The county's inland location makes it particularly vulnerable to tornadoes and flooding—hazards that rival coastal hurricane exposure in severity.

Davidson ranks among state's higher-risk counties

With a score of 87.21, Davidson sits well above North Carolina's state average of 66.72, placing it in the top tier of the state's 100 counties. The county's flood risk of 91.54 is among the highest statewide.

Davidson's risks match or exceed peer counties

Davidson (87.21) ranks close to Davie County (41.67) to the west in overall risk—though considerably higher—and mirrors the exposure levels of eastern counties like Duplin (89.41). Davidson's high flood score and strong tornado threat distinguish it within the Piedmont region.

Floods and tornadoes define the threat profile

Flood risk at 91.54 is Davidson's most pressing hazard, driven by river systems and intense rainfall events. Tornado risk at 86.93 creates a secondary but severe multi-season threat; earthquake risk of 76.69 adds a tertiary concern unusual in the Piedmont.

Flood and tornado insurance and shelters crucial

Davidson residents in flood-prone areas must obtain flood insurance; those outside designated flood zones should still consider coverage given the county's high flood risk score. A designated shelter space—whether a basement room or reinforced interior space—provides essential tornado protection for this frequently threatened county.

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.