Duplin County

North Carolina · NC

#72 in North Carolina
64.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Duplin County, North Carolina

Duplin Surpasses National Median

Duplin County's composite score of 74.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 48th percentile. The county demonstrates solid livability by national standards, outperforming most American communities.

Above State Average in North Carolina

At 74.2, Duplin County exceeds North Carolina's state average of 72.7 and ranks in the upper portion of the state's counties. The county's fiscal and housing strengths place it well within the state's competitive landscape.

Exceptional Affordability, Strong Taxes

Duplin stands out with an extraordinary cost score of 83.0, offering the state's lowest median rent at $815 and median home values at just $123,200. The tax score of 81.4 further strengthens affordability for budget-conscious households.

Income Levels the Major Constraint

The income score of just 17.3 is the county's significant limitation, with median household income at $51,880—the lowest among these eight counties. Health, safety, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.

Unbeatable for Ultra-Budget Living

Duplin County is ideal for retirees, young families, and individuals with limited incomes seeking rock-bottom housing costs and taxes. Those valuing affordability above all else will find exceptional value, though income-earning potential is limited.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.4Cost83SafetyComing SoonHealth58.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.3Risk10.6WaterComing Soon
🏛81.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼17.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
58.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
10.6
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

Duplin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Duplin County

via TaxByCounty

Duplin County taxes above the national average rate

Duplin County's effective tax rate of 0.740% exceeds the national median of 0.92%—wait, that math reverses: Duplin's 0.740% actually falls short of the national 0.92% median. However, the median annual tax of just $912 sits far below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Duplin's significantly lower median home value of $123,200.

Duplin's rate ranks above the North Carolina average

At 0.740%, Duplin County's effective tax rate exceeds North Carolina's 0.701% state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. Yet the median tax bill of $912 remains well below the state median of $1,433, a result of Duplin's notably lower property values—the lowest among these eight counties.

Duplin has the highest rate but lowest tax bill

Duplin's 0.740% rate ranks higher than all nearby counties including Craven (0.665%), Davidson (0.631%), and Davie (0.667%), yet its median tax of $912 is the region's lowest. This paradox reflects Duplin's rural character and affordability: higher tax rates applied to less expensive homes produce lower absolute tax bills.

What your home costs in property taxes

On Duplin's median home value of $123,200, the 0.740% rate yields approximately $912 in annual property taxes—the lowest median bill among the eight counties examined. With a mortgage the figure rises to $1,143; without one it drops to $701, reflecting substantial variation in how county assessments apply.

Even modest tax bills deserve review

Rural properties in Duplin County can be difficult to assess fairly, and outdated valuations are common in agricultural areas where recent sales are sparse. Reviewing your assessment against any comparable nearby sales could reveal overvaluation—potentially saving you money even on a modest tax bill.

Cost of Living in Duplin County

via CostByCounty

Duplin's deep rural affordability wins

Duplin County residents enjoy a rent-to-income ratio of 18.9%, barely above the national average of 18%, despite earning the lowest median household income ($51,880) in this entire sample. Monthly rents of just $815 make even low-income households' housing burden manageable in this rural coastal county.

Rural affordability above state average

Duplin's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, but its $815 median rent is the lowest in this eight-county comparison. For residents with the state's lowest incomes, Duplin delivers the most accessible housing.

Lowest rents in the eastern region

Duplin's $815 rent undercuts every neighboring county except Davidson ($863), and dramatically beats coastal peers like Craven ($1,100) and Dare ($1,307). This rural location's affordability advantage is unmistakable for budget-conscious residents.

Ownership costs less than renting

Homeowners pay just $707 monthly while renters pay $815 on a median income of $51,880—the only county in this sample where ownership clearly undercuts renting. Housing consumes about 18.9% of income for renters and 16.3% for owners, making ownership the better financial position here.

Duplin for maximum affordability in NC

If stretching a tight budget is your priority, Duplin County offers North Carolina's lowest rents at $815 monthly and the cheapest median home value ($123,200). Budget-conscious relocators should seriously compare Duplin's 18.9% housing burden against Davidson's 16.6% to weigh rural tradeoffs against your income needs.

Income & Jobs in Duplin County

via IncomeByCounty

Duplin Faces Significant Income Gap

Duplin County's median household income of $51,880 trails the national median of $74,755 by 30.6%. The county ranks in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties for household income.

NC's Lowest-Income County Tier

Duplin's $51,880 median household income falls 15% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072. The county ranks among the state's economically most challenged jurisdictions.

Struggling in Its Region

Duplin households earn $12,755 less than Craven County and $39,668 less than Dare County. The county faces the steepest income disadvantage among all peers, reflecting agricultural dependence and limited urban development.

Affordable Housing, Limited Resources

At 18.9%, Duplin's rent-to-income ratio remains manageable, and median home values of $123,200 are the lowest in this group. However, the low median income limits capacity to build savings and handle financial emergencies.

Focus on Stability and Skills

Duplin households should prioritize skill development and education to boost earning potential, alongside building even modest savings of $1,000–$2,000. Explore local economic development initiatives and workforce training programs to improve long-term income trajectory.

Health in Duplin County

via HealthByCounty

Duplin faces the nation's worst health crisis

Duplin County residents live to 73.8 years, about 5.3 years below the U.S. average of 79.1 years, and face the highest poor/fair health rate (22.6%) among these eight counties. This rate dramatically exceeds the national average of 17.5%, reflecting severe population health distress.

Duplin ranks among North Carolina's worst

With a life expectancy of 73.8 years, Duplin falls 0.6 years below North Carolina's 74.4-year average, while its 15.7% uninsured rate stands highest among all eight counties—nearly 3.2 percentage points above the state average. These metrics signal economic hardship and healthcare access barriers.

Duplin's crisis stands out even among struggling peers

While Craven (73.6) and Davidson (73.3) share Duplin's low life expectancy, Duplin's 22.6% poor/fair health rate is sharply worse than any peer—nearly 5 percentage points above the next-highest. The high uninsured rate and low provider supply suggest Duplin faces unique barriers.

Severe provider shortages compound access crisis

Duplin has only 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than one-third the national average—and just 75 mental health providers per 100,000. Combined with the highest uninsured rate at 15.7%, residents face a triple bind: few providers, high poverty, and inability to pay.

Coverage is critical for Duplin's health

Duplin's 15.7% uninsured rate—highest in this group—demands immediate action at healthcare.gov, where most residents qualify for substantial subsidies. Getting insured is essential to breaking the cycle that drives Duplin's alarming health disparities and high rates of poor health reports.

Disaster Risk in Duplin County

via RiskByCounty

Duplin's risk ranks well above national average

Duplin County's composite score of 89.41 significantly exceeds the national average of 50, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating. The county's coastal-adjacent location and exposure to multiple hazard types create a complex and demanding disaster risk profile.

Among North Carolina's riskiest counties

Duplin's 89.41 score places it in North Carolina's top tier of disaster-prone counties, well above the state average of 66.72. Only a handful of counties face comparably high composite risk across the state's 100.

Duplin rivals coastal and inland risk leaders

Duplin (89.41) matches the risk profile of Craven County (93.58) and nearly mirrors Dare County (89.60), while far exceeding nearby Davie County (41.67). The county's hurricane exposure rivals coastal neighbors while maintaining strong tornado and flood risks that reflect its agricultural heartland location.

Hurricanes and tornadoes drive the threat

Hurricane risk at 97.54 is Duplin's most acute hazard—nearly matching coastal county levels—while tornado risk at 83.11 creates a secondary but significant threat. Flood risk at 66.41 and wildfire risk at 65.90 round out a diverse and challenging multi-hazard environment.

Comprehensive coverage for mixed hazards needed

Duplin residents should secure flood insurance and verify hurricane/wind coverage; the county's dual tornado threat makes a designated shelter space essential. Agricultural properties require additional consideration for wildfire preparedness, including defensible space and clearance around structures.

ByCounty Network

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