CountyScore

Gates County

North Carolina · NC

#10 in North Carolina
72.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Gates County, North Carolina

Gates scores right at state average

Gates County's composite score of 72.4 is essentially at North Carolina's state average of 72.7, and substantially above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. This strong national positioning reflects Gates' solid livability across measured dimensions. The county performs at or above typical expectations for its region.

Meets state average, solid performer

At 72.4, Gates ranks right at the North Carolina state average of 72.7, signaling consistent, dependable performance across measured categories. The county sits squarely in the upper tier of NC counties without exceptional standout dimensions. This near-average ranking indicates Gates is a reliable, mainstream choice within the state.

Affordability and low taxes drive appeal

Gates excels with a Cost Score of 78.5, featuring remarkably affordable housing at $163,900 median home value and $940/month rent, and a Tax Score of 80.4 backed by a 0.777% effective tax rate. These dual strengths position Gates as one of the most affordable options in the group while maintaining favorable tax treatment. The county is particularly attractive to budget-conscious buyers seeking maximum housing value.

Lower incomes and missing health data

Gates' Income Score of 23.6 reflects a median household income of $61,612, below some comparable counties, suggesting limited high-wage employment opportunities. Data on safety, health, schools, and risk remain unavailable, preventing full livability assessment. Prospective residents with income-dependent needs should investigate employment options independently.

Best for budget-first rural families

Gates County suits families and retirees prioritizing maximum affordability and low taxes over high incomes, particularly those with stable earnings from outside employment. The county's rural character and modest housing costs appeal to those seeking a slower-paced lifestyle. Remote workers and pension-supported retirees will find Gates especially attractive, though others should verify job market strength.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.4Cost78.5SafetyComing SoonHealth68.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.6Risk89.6WaterComing Soon
🏛80.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Gates County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marion County
Alabama
72.7
Median income: $50,714
Polk County
Arkansas
72.7
Median income: $49,252
Yuma County
Colorado
72.7
Median income: $60,051
Schley County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $59,647
Wheeler County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $45,262

Deep Dives

Gates County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Gates County

via CostByCounty

Gates affords reasonable rent on modest income

Gates residents spend 18.3% of their $61,612 median income on $940 monthly rent—nearly matching the national affordability benchmark. Though incomes run 18% below the national average, Gates' low rents achieve near-perfect national affordability balance.

Right at North Carolina's affordability average

Gates' rent-to-income ratio of 18.3% sits just below North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, making it a typically-affordable county by state standards. The $940 median rent matches exactly the state average, reflecting rural eastern North Carolina pricing.

Competitive with Edgecombe and Greene

Gates' $940 rent and 18.3% ratio fall between Edgecombe (20.3%, $818) and Greene (19.9%, $845), offering middle-ground affordability for the region. Higher income than Edgecombe ($48,480) gives Gates residents better breathing room despite similar rent levels.

Renters enjoy better affordability than owners

Renters pay $940 monthly while homeowners pay $849—unusual in most markets, suggesting Gates' homeownership carries lower costs. Annual renter housing costs total $11,280, consuming just under one-fifth of median household income.

Reliable affordable option in eastern NC

Gates offers stability for renters seeking affordability without extreme rural isolation, positioned between Edgecombe's challenges and Franklin's prosperity. The county rewards residents with flexibility and near-average affordability, though limited job diversity requires careful employment planning.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Gates County

via HealthByCounty

Gates approaches national health benchmarks closely

At 74.6 years, Gates County's life expectancy is just 1.5 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, indicating reasonably competitive health outcomes for a rural county. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (18.9%) report poor or fair health, modestly above national averages. The county demonstrates solid health performance despite limited resources.

Slightly above state average in life expectancy

Gates' 74.6-year life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years by two months, placing it in the mid-range of county rankings. The 18.9% poor/fair health rate tracks slightly above state norms, suggesting some underlying health challenges. Gates performs near the state median across key health measures.

Competitive with rural northeastern peers

Gates' 74.6-year life expectancy matches well against neighboring Chowan (74.5 years) and Perquimans (74.8 years), all clustered around state averages in this rural northeast region. The 18.9% poor/fair health rate is consistent with regional patterns for economically modest rural areas. Gates demonstrates health outcomes typical of its northeastern peer group.

Data gaps reflect rural healthcare challenges

Gates County's provider data is currently unavailable, limiting our visibility into primary care and mental health capacity—a gap that itself reflects the rural healthcare access challenges the county faces. The uninsured rate of 9.2% is the lowest among comparison counties, suggesting strong coverage despite limited documented providers. Residents likely depend on regional medical centers in neighboring counties for specialized care.

Build on strong coverage with annual review

Gates has already achieved a notably low uninsured rate of 9.2%, well below state and national averages—a real success story in rural healthcare access. During enrollment periods, existing coverage holders should review their plans on healthcare.gov to ensure continued protection. Maintaining this strong coverage rate is essential for sustaining Gates' solid health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gates County

via RiskByCounty

Gates County enjoys exceptional disaster protection

Gates County's composite risk score of just 10.46 ranks among the lowest in the nation, far below the North Carolina state average of 66.72, earning a "Very Low" rating. This exceptional standing reflects the county's remote northeastern location, modest population density, and limited exposure to most major hazards. Gates residents benefit from one of North Carolina's safest natural disaster profiles.

Gates is among North Carolina's safest counties

With a composite score of 10.46, Gates County ranks at the very bottom of North Carolina's disaster risk scale—one of the safest communities in the entire state. The county's rural northeastern location insulates it from severe tornado, earthquake, and flood exposure that affects more populated regions. Gates offers residents exceptional natural disaster safety compared to most North Carolina alternatives.

Gates far outpaces regional comparison

Gates County's score of 10.46 is dramatically lower than any nearby county, including Graham County (20.07) and Franklin County (51.72), making it the safest place in its region. The county's minimal exposure across nearly all hazard categories reflects its remote location and lower development density. Few communities in North Carolina offer comparable natural disaster safety.

Hurricane risk is the primary concern

Gates County's only meaningful natural disaster risk comes from hurricanes (77.89), reflecting its eastern coastal plain location and vulnerability to Atlantic storm systems. All other hazards register far below concerning levels: tornadoes at 22.30, earthquakes at 28.15, and floods at 40.80 rank among North Carolina's lowest. Hurricane preparedness forms the foundation of your disaster planning.

Focused hurricane coverage suffices

Given Gates County's exceptional overall safety profile, your primary insurance focus should be hurricane wind coverage within a standard homeowners policy, supplemented by flood insurance if your property sits in a mapped flood zone. The county's very low tornado, earthquake, and general flood exposure means you can avoid expensive additional coverage for those hazards. A straightforward homeowners policy provides adequate protection for most Gates residents.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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