countyscore

Gates County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#17 in North Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
55.7
County Score
Disaster Risk 89.6Water Quality 86Weather & Climate 72.6

County Report Card

About Gates County, North Carolina

Surpassing the National Median

Gates County excels with a composite score of 56.2, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This places it among the more desirable rural counties in the country.

Leading the North Carolina Average

With a 56.2 score, Gates County sits comfortably above the North Carolina state average of 44.7. It is one of the higher-performing counties in the northeastern part of the state.

Exceptional Safety and Risk Management

The county boasts an elite Risk Score of 89.6 and a Water Score of 86.0. A Safety Score of 62.5 and School Score of 61.8 further cement its status as a secure community.

Average Housing and Income Levels

Cost (41.7) and Income (43.9) scores are the county's relative low points. While safe, the median household income of $61,612 lags behind the wealthier urban centers.

The Gold Standard for Safety

Gates County is perfect for families and retirees who prioritize a safe, low-risk environment and quality schools. It is an ideal refuge for those who value peace of mind over high-speed urban growth.

2040608010054.337.962.548.161.852.789.68672.6Tax54.3Cost37.9Safety62.5Health48.1Schools61.8Income52.7Risk89.6Water86Weather72.655.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average1 below average

Gates County DNA

Foverall

How Gates County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Gates County excels in 3 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Disaster Risk (89.6/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Cost of Living (37.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
54.3
Cost
37.9-10.100000000000001
Safety
62.5
Health
48.1
Schools
61.8
Income
52.7
Risk
89.6+42.599999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
72.6+16.599999999999994
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$170,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,143/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$170,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$45,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,333/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Hertford County
North Carolina
37.8
Suffolk city
Virginia
35.6
Franklin city
Virginia
35.2
Chowan County
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47.9
Southampton County
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Perquimans County
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Pasquotank County
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Isle of Wight County
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Deep Dives

Gates County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Gates County

via TaxByCounty

Gates taxes below national average

At 0.777%, Gates' effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.86%, placing it near the 40th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,273 reflects Gates' median home value of $163,900, significantly below the national median of $281,900.

Gates slightly above state average

Gates' effective rate of 0.777% exceeds North Carolina's average of 0.701%, though the gap is modest. The median property tax of $1,273 falls below the state average of $1,433, showing that Gates residents enjoy lower overall tax bills despite a slightly elevated rate.

Gates competitive in northeastern region

Gates' 0.777% rate sits below Edgecombe (1.098%) and Greene (0.868%), making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the northeastern part of the state. The rate aligns closely with Granville and Franklin, offering reasonable tax burden for rural homeowners.

Typical Gates homeowner pays $1,273

With a median home value of $163,900 and an effective rate of 0.777%, the typical Gates homeowner pays $1,273 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,428, while those without mortgages pay $1,118.

Challenge assessments that seem high

Gates homeowners can appeal their property assessments if they believe valuations are inaccurate or outdated. A successful appeal is often quick and can reduce your annual tax burden with minimal effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gates County

via IncomeByCounty

Gates County approaches state average

Gates County's median household income of $61,612 sits roughly at North Carolina's state average of $61,072 but trails the national median of $74,755 by 18%. The county occupies a middle position in both state and national income rankings.

Right at state median income

Gates' $61,612 median household income essentially matches North Carolina's state average of $61,072, placing it squarely in the state's middle tier. Per capita income of $31,342 falls slightly below the state average of $33,920.

Balanced against regional peers

Gates' $61,612 median income sits between lower-earning Greene ($50,904) to the south and higher-earning Franklin ($71,386) to the west. The county represents a stable middle option in the eastern North Carolina income landscape.

Reasonable rent affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 18.3%, Gates households allocate less than one-fifth of earnings to rent, remaining comfortably within affordability guidelines. A median home value of $163,900 offers accessible homeownership for median-income families.

Build steady financial habits

Gates households earning $61,612 can allocate roughly $500 monthly ($6,161 annually) to savings and investment without straining budgets. Start with tax-advantaged retirement accounts and gradually increase contributions as income grows.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Gates County

via CrimeByCounty

One of the Nation's Safest Counties

Gates County is exceptionally secure, with a total crime rate of 866.0 per 100K—far below the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county an elite safety score of 98.6.

Outperforming State Safety Standards

With a safety score of 98.6, Gates is far safer than the North Carolina average of 96.8. Its total crime rate is less than half the state average of 2,050.0 per 100K.

Minimal Crime Compared to Neighbors

Gates County reports a fraction of the crime seen in neighboring Edgecombe, where rates are nearly six times higher. It remains a very low-risk pocket within the eastern North Carolina region.

Violent Crime is Extremely Rare

The violent crime rate in Gates is just 95.2 per 100K, compared to the national rate of 369.8. Property crime is also very low at 770.8, indicating a peaceful environment.

Preserving a High Standard of Safety

Basic precautions like locking doors and windows help maintain the county's excellent safety metrics. Smart home technology can provide an extra layer of protection in this quiet community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Gates County

via SoilByCounty

Deeply acidic Coastal Plain earth

Gates County features a very acidic pH of 4.67, which is notably lower than the state average of 5.14. This soil is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, favoring acid-loving native species.

Sandy soil with high silt

The soil is 59.9% sand and 25.0% silt, with only 12.3% clay. This allows for rapid water infiltration, though the silt content adds a layer of smoothness and moisture retention not found in pure sand.

Rich organic matter in Gates

Organic matter is high at 7.40%, easily surpassing the state average of 5.12% and the national 2.0% benchmark. This richness contributes to an excellent available water capacity of 0.142 in/in.

High moisture potential for farming

Official drainage data is limited, but the high organic content acts like a sponge for the county's water. This combination of sand and organic material creates a highly productive environment for regional agriculture.

Abundant growth in Zone 8a

Zone 8a allows for a diverse range of crops, including peanuts and diverse woodland plants. The high organic levels make this some of the best soil in the region for a home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Gates County

via LawnByCounty

Gates County's Unique Lawn Profile

Gates County scores a 43.3 for lawn difficulty, making it slightly easier than the state average of 40.8. While this Zone 8a county falls below the national median score of 50.0, it offers a relatively stable climate for turf. Local gardeners can leverage favorable rainfall to offset soil-related challenges.

Favorable Rainfall and Cooler Summers

The county enjoys 49.6 inches of annual precipitation, which is close to the state average and ideal for lawn hydration. Unlike much of North Carolina, Gates only averages 29 extreme heat days, significantly lower than the state average of 38. This lack of extreme heat reduces the risk of grass burning out during the peak of summer.

Managing High Soil Acidity

With a soil pH of 4.67, Gates County has some of the most acidic soil in the region, far from the 6.0-7.0 ideal. The soil is 59.9% sand and 12.3% clay, ensuring good drainage but limited nutrient retention. You must be diligent with lime and fertilizer applications to maintain a vibrant lawn in these conditions.

Mild Drought Resilience in Gates

Gates County has experienced 18 weeks of drought over the past year, but currently reports 0% severe drought (D2+). While 100% of the area is abnormally dry, the situation is less critical than in many neighboring counties. Maintaining a healthy root system now will provide a buffer against future drought intensification.

Planting Success in Zone 8a

For Zone 8a, warm-season grasses are the most resilient choice for long-term health. While specific frost dates are less documented here, aim to plant in the spring once the threat of cold weather has passed. Ensuring good soil contact during seeding will help your lawn take advantage of the county's ample rainfall.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gates County's county score?
Gates County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 55.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Gates County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Gates County ranks #17 among all counties in North Carolina on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Gates County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Gates County is $1,296, with an effective tax rate of 0.76%. This earns Gates County a tax score of 54.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Gates County?
The median household income in Gates County, North Carolina is $66,333 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Gates County earns an income score of 52.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Gates County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Gates County scores 55.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #17 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Gates County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Gates County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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