CountyScore

Graham County

North Carolina · NC

#2 in North Carolina
75.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Graham County, North Carolina

Graham leads group with exceptional score

Graham County's composite score of 80.3 is the highest among these eight counties and dramatically exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 80th percentile nationally. This exceptional performance demonstrates Graham's superior livability across measured dimensions. Graham ranks notably above North Carolina's state average of 72.7, marking it as a genuine standout.

Top tier among North Carolina counties

Graham's 80.3 score ranks it 7.6 points above North Carolina's state average, securing a position in the top tier of NC counties. The county's exceptional performance relative to peers indicates consistently strong livability outcomes. Graham stands apart as a high-performing choice within the state.

Unmatched affordability and lowest taxes

Graham dominates with a Cost Score of 91.4—the highest in the group—featuring only $581/month median rent and $155,800 median home value, and an extraordinary Tax Score of 87.1 backed by a 0.540% effective tax rate, the lowest anywhere. These exceptional numbers make Graham the most affordable county by far, offering unparalleled value for cost-conscious households. Even the modest median household income of $49,038 stretches furthest here due to rock-bottom living costs.

Income limitations and rural characteristics

Graham's Income Score of only 15.4 reflects limited high-wage employment opportunities and a median household income of $49,038, the lowest in this group. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable. The county's extreme affordability comes with trade-offs: rural isolation, limited job markets, and incomplete livability information.

Perfect for retirees and remote workers

Graham County is ideal for retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers with external earnings, and budget-first families seeking maximum purchasing power. The county's extraordinary affordability advantage—with rents under $600 and near-zero tax burden—is unmatched in this group. However, those dependent on local employment should look elsewhere, and all prospective residents should verify schools and safety before moving.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost91.4SafetyComing SoonHealth61.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.4Risk80WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80
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

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Compare Graham County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Graham County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Graham County

via TaxByCounty

Graham has lowest taxes around

At 0.540%, Graham's effective tax rate is the lowest in this analysis and well below the national median of 0.86%, placing it near the 20th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $842 reflects Graham's median home value of $155,800, the lowest in this group.

Graham significantly below state average

Graham's effective rate of 0.540% is substantially lower than North Carolina's average of 0.701%, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $842 is the lowest among all eight counties, offering western North Carolina homeowners exceptional tax relief.

Graham far outpaces regional competitors

Graham's 0.540% rate sits well below all comparable counties, with Gates (0.777%), Franklin (0.719%), and Granville (0.719%) all charging significantly more. No neighboring county comes close to Graham's low-tax environment, making it a standout in the region.

Typical Graham homeowner pays just $842

With a median home value of $155,800 and an effective rate of 0.540%, the typical Graham homeowner pays only $842 annually in property taxes—the lowest among the eight counties analyzed. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,035, while those without mortgages pay $730.

Even low taxes can be reduced further

Although Graham's taxes are already minimal, homeowners should still verify their assessments are fair and accurate. Filing an appeal if you believe your property is overvalued costs nothing and could lower an already-low bill even further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Graham County

via CostByCounty

Graham offers unbeatable rent affordability

Graham residents spend just 14.2% of their $49,038 median income on rent—the lowest rent-to-income ratio among all eight counties and well below the national norm. At $581 monthly, Graham's rents rank among North Carolina's cheapest, though incomes remain modest.

North Carolina's most affordable rents

Graham's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% significantly beats the state average of 18.6%, making it the clear affordability winner statewide. The $581 median rent stands 38% below the state median of $938, reflecting Graham's remote western mountain location.

Rents far below all regional peers

Graham's $581 rent and 14.2% ratio dramatically outperform all surrounding counties—Edgecombe ($818), Gates ($940), and Granville ($1,008). For renters prioritizing lowest housing costs, Graham stands alone, though residents must accept geographic isolation.

Extremely low housing burden

Renters pay just $581 monthly while homeowners pay $447, creating annual housing costs of $7,000 or less. This leaves renters with $40,000+ annually for all other needs, offering genuine financial freedom rarely found in today's market.

Ideal for remote workers seeking savings

Graham County is a no-brainer for remote workers from higher-paying metros seeking maximum savings; renters save $300+ monthly versus Franklin County. The tradeoff is geographic isolation in the western mountains—lifestyle choice requires careful consideration beyond affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Graham County

via IncomeByCounty

Graham lags far behind national income

Graham County's median household income of $49,038 falls 34% below the national median of $74,755, ranking among the lowest in North Carolina. The substantial gap reflects significant economic challenges compared to the broader U.S. economy.

Lower-tier earnings across North Carolina

At $49,038, Graham's median household income ranks in the lower tier of North Carolina's 100 counties, trailing the state average of $61,072 by 20%. Per capita income of $28,875 also falls well below the state average of $33,920.

Mountain county with modest income

Graham's $49,038 trails neighboring Granville ($70,975) significantly and falls just above Greene County ($50,904) in the region. The mountainous western location reflects economic patterns distinct from higher-income Piedmont peers.

Housing affordability stands out

Graham's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% ranks among the lowest in the data, indicating strong affordability relative to limited incomes. A median home value of $155,800 remains achievable despite modest household earnings.

Maximize every dollar saved

With median income of $49,038, Graham households should establish automatic monthly transfers of $200-300 into savings accounts. Explore low-cost investment options like Roth IRAs and community development accounts that match savings for lower-income savers.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Graham County

via HealthByCounty

Graham's health outcomes near national averages

Graham County residents live an average of 74.5 years, 1.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, a modest gap for a rural Appalachian county. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19%) report poor or fair health, slightly above national benchmarks. However, Graham's uninsured rate of 16.5% stands out as significantly higher than national norms.

Modest life expectancy, elevated uninsured rate

Graham's 74.5-year life expectancy essentially matches North Carolina's 74.4-year state average, but its 16.5% uninsured rate far exceeds the state's 12.5%—the largest gap among comparison counties. This insurance gap directly impacts healthcare access and preventive care utilization. Graham faces particular challenges in extending coverage to vulnerable populations.

Highest uninsured rate in western mountains region

Graham's 16.5% uninsured rate significantly exceeds neighboring Cherokee (12.8%) and Clay (14.2%) counties in the western mountains, suggesting localized barriers to coverage. Life expectancy at 74.5 years is competitive with rural mountain peers, but the uninsured gap creates health vulnerability. Graham's coverage challenges are distinctly worse than similar neighboring counties.

Moderate providers, high uninsured barrier to access

Graham offers 37 primary care providers and 99 mental health providers per 100K residents—decent by rural standards—but the elevated 16.5% uninsured rate means substantial portions of the population cannot access these services. The financial barrier created by lack of insurance likely drives worse health outcomes than provider availability alone would suggest. Insurance coverage is the critical limiting factor for Graham residents.

Expand coverage to build healthier community

Graham's 16.5% uninsured rate—roughly 1 in 6 residents—represents the most significant health challenge facing the county, exceeding state averages by 4 percentage points. Many uninsured families qualify for subsidized plans through healthcare.gov or the NC Health Insurance Marketplace at costs well below standard rates. Opening coverage to Graham's uninsured population would immediately improve health security and long-term outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Graham County

via RiskByCounty

Graham County ranks among safest nationwide

Graham County's composite risk score of 20.07 places it in the nation's lowest tier for natural disaster risk, far below the North Carolina state average of 66.72, with a "Very Low" rating. The county's mountainous western location and modest population density provide exceptional natural hazard protection. Graham residents enjoy one of North Carolina's most favorable natural disaster profiles.

Graham is North Carolina's second-safest county

With a composite score of 20.07, Graham County ranks near the absolute bottom of North Carolina's risk scale—exceeded in safety only by a handful of similarly remote counties. The county's elevation in the western mountains insulates it from coastal hazards and reduces tornado exposure substantially. Graham represents a top-tier natural disaster refuge within North Carolina.

Graham benefits from mountain geography

Graham's score of 20.07 is dramatically lower than inland peers like Franklin County (51.72) and Granville County (59.35), reflecting its mountainous terrain and remote location. Only Gates County (10.46) matches Graham's exceptional safety level, and that margin is narrow. The western mountains provide Graham with rare natural disaster protection.

Wildfire exposure exceeds other hazards

Graham County's primary natural disaster risk comes from wildfires (49.59), a reflection of its mountainous terrain and forest coverage, though this risk remains moderate in absolute terms. Earthquakes (51.24) represent the county's second-highest exposure, while tornadoes (26.78), floods (38.01), and hurricanes (42.64) all register well below concerning levels. Wildfire preparedness anchors your disaster planning.

Standard coverage with wildfire focus

Graham County's very low overall risk profile means a standard homeowners policy provides adequate protection for most residents, with wildfire coverage emphasized if your property borders forest land. Unlike many North Carolina counties, Graham residents rarely need flood insurance or additional wind coverage due to geographic isolation. Verify your policy includes wildfire protection and ensure defensible space around your home—your best insurance investment.

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.