Granville County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#65 in North Carolina
39.6
County Score
Weather & Climate 69.9Income & Jobs 68.8Water Quality 65

County Report Card

About Granville County, North Carolina

Trailing the National Median Score

Granville County holds a composite score of 39.6, falling short of the 50.0 national median. It sits in a transitional zone between rural stability and suburban growth.

Near the North Carolina Average

The county's score of 39.6 is slightly below the North Carolina state average of 44.7. It remains competitive within its region but has specific areas that need investment.

Robust Incomes and Low Taxes

Income is a major strength with a score of 68.8, backed by a median household income of $70,975. The Tax Score of 61.1 also appeals to residents looking for financial efficiency.

School Quality and High Costs

School scores are low at 20.4, and the Cost Score of 25.4 suggests housing is expensive relative to local infrastructure. These metrics indicate a squeeze for young families.

Best for Established Professionals

Granville is ideal for professionals who benefit from the strong local income levels and reasonable tax rates. Those without children in the school system will find the most value here.

Score breakdown

Tax61.1Cost25.4Safety32.6Health44.6Schools20.4Income68.8Risk40.7Water65Weather69.9
🏛61.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠25.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼68.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡32.6
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
44.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓20.4
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
40.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧65
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤69.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨26.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱51.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty
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Deep Dives

Granville County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Granville County

via TaxByCounty

Granville taxes below national average

At 0.719%, Granville's effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.86%, placing it roughly in the 40th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,694 reflects Granville's median home value of $235,700, approaching the national median of $281,900.

Granville near state average

Granville's effective rate of 0.719% closely mirrors North Carolina's average of 0.701%, making it a typical tax burden for the state. The median property tax of $1,694 is notably higher than the state average of $1,433, reflecting above-average home values in the county.

Granville competitive regionally

Granville's 0.719% rate ties Franklin County and sits below Forsyth (0.849%), Gaston (0.797%), and Greene (0.868%). Only Graham (0.540%) and Gates (0.777%) offer different tax profiles, positioning Granville as a moderate-tax county in the central Piedmont.

Typical Granville homeowner pays $1,694

With a median home value of $235,700 and an effective rate of 0.719%, the typical Granville homeowner pays $1,694 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,910, while those without mortgages pay $1,386.

Reassess whether your tax bill is fair

Many Granville homeowners can reduce their tax bills through assessment appeals if properties are valued above market rates. Contacting the county assessor to review your valuation is a simple, cost-free way to check if you're overpaying.

Cost of Living in Granville County

via CostByCounty

Granville balances strong income and rent

Granville residents spend 17.0% of their $70,975 median income on $1,008 rent—well below the national average and among the best rates nationally. The county's above-average income and below-average rent ratio create genuine affordability for working families.

Above-average incomes, below-average burden

Granville's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% beats North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, and its median income of $70,975 ranks well above state norms. The county ranks in the top tier of North Carolina affordability, competing with Franklin for best value.

Second only to Franklin in affordability

Granville's $1,008 rent and 17.0% ratio come close to Franklin's superior 16.6% ratio, while offering higher rent than Franklin's $988. Granville edges Forsyth (19.1%) and Gaston (19.9%) meaningfully, offering better affordability for comparable urban amenities.

Renters and owners share similar costs

Renters pay $1,008 monthly while homeowners pay $1,103 on incomes averaging $70,975, with renters enjoying slightly better affordability. Annual housing costs for renters total $12,100, a reasonable burden on this income level.

Excellent choice near Raleigh-Durham area

Granville offers the Raleigh-Durham region's best rent-to-income balance, combining strong incomes with controlled housing costs just north of the metro. Residents enjoy rural character with access to urban job markets—Franklin remains slightly more affordable, but Granville rivals it with more housing options.

Income & Jobs in Granville County

via IncomeByCounty

Granville approaches national income levels

Granville County's median household income of $70,975 ranks among North Carolina's highest, sitting just 5% below the national median of $74,755. The county demonstrates solid upper-middle income performance compared to U.S. averages.

Top earners in North Carolina

At $70,975, Granville's median household income ranks in the top tier of North Carolina counties, exceeding the state average of $61,072 by 16%. Per capita income of $33,166 sits near the state average, indicating relatively balanced wealth distribution.

Granville leads peer counties

Granville's $70,975 rivals Franklin County ($71,386) for the highest income in the region while substantially outpacing Edgecombe ($48,480) and Greene ($50,904). The county's economic strength positions it as a regional income leader.

Healthy housing affordability

Granville's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% sits well below the 20% affordability threshold, indicating strong purchasing power for housing. A median home value of $235,700 remains accessible to median-income households with conventional financing.

Invest for long-term prosperity

Granville households earning $70,975 can comfortably save 20% annually ($14,195) while maintaining quality of life. Diversified index fund investing, real estate appreciation, and employer retirement matching create multiple pathways to generational wealth.

Safety in Granville County

via CrimeByCounty

Low Crime Rates Drive High Safety

Granville County reports a total crime rate of 1,581.0 per 100K, much lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a high safety score of 97.5.

Granville is Safer Than Most Counties

With a safety score of 97.5, Granville exceeds the North Carolina state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate is also roughly 23% lower than the state-wide average.

Regional Safety Leader Among Neighbors

Granville County is notably safer than neighboring Franklin County, which reports a crime rate of 2,026.4 per 100K. It offers some of the lowest crime rates in its immediate area.

Violent and Property Crime Breakdown

The violent crime rate is low at 268.1 per 100K residents. Property crime stands at 1,312.9 per 100K, both of which are significantly safer than national averages.

Keep Your Home and Family Secure

Maintenance of home security systems and smart locks helps preserve these low crime rates. Community vigilance remains a key factor in Granville's ongoing public safety success.

Health in Granville County

via HealthByCounty

Granville exceeds U.S. health benchmarks solidly

Granville County's life expectancy of 75.6 years exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by nearly the same margin—strong performance for a rural county. However, 19.1% of residents report poor or fair health, moderately above national norms. The county demonstrates solid foundational health outcomes despite some chronic disease burden.

Above state average, competitive statewide

At 75.6 years, Granville's life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years by 1.2 years, placing it in the upper half of county rankings statewide. The 19.1% poor/fair health rate is slightly above state norms, suggesting manageable but present chronic disease challenges. Granville ranks among North Carolina's better-performing counties overall.

Health leader in Piedmont-Triangle region

Granville's 75.6-year life expectancy outperforms neighboring Franklin (76.3, a close call) and significantly exceeds Vance (76.1 years) and Warren (74.8 years), positioning it as a health leader in the region. Its 19.1% poor/fair health rate is higher than some peers, suggesting room for improvement despite excellent life expectancy. Granville's strong life expectancy reflects comprehensive healthcare quality in the county.

Strong mental health services, adequate primary care

Granville offers 52 primary care providers per 100K residents—solid by state standards—and leads comparison counties with 396 mental health providers per 100K, ensuring robust behavioral health access. The uninsured rate of 12% is just below the state average of 12.5%, indicating strong coverage overall. This provider capacity and coverage combination supports Granville's strong health metrics.

Maintain coverage momentum during enrollment

Granville's 12% uninsured rate is already near the state average, reflecting strong community coverage success, but every uninsured resident still faces health risks. During annual enrollment periods, use healthcare.gov and the NC Health Insurance Marketplace to ensure continuous, affordable coverage for your household. Sustaining Granville's coverage momentum will support continued strong health outcomes.

Schools in Granville County

via SchoolsByCounty

Diverse Choices Across 19 Public Schools

Granville County offers 19 public schools serving 8,703 students across three different districts. The inventory includes eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools, plus four specialized facilities. This variety provides a range of educational paths for families in the region.

Meeting Challenges with Targeted Resources

The graduation rate stands at 84.7%, which is slightly lower than the national average of 87.0%. The county spends $6,159 per pupil, a figure that is lean compared to both state and national benchmarks. These factors result in a composite school score of 48.9, indicating room for growth relative to the national median.

Strong Charter Presence in Local Education

Granville County Schools is the largest district with 6,748 students, but charter schools play a major role, representing 10.5% of the total schools. Falls Lake Academy and Oxford Preparatory are the two largest institutions in the county, with 1,104 and 851 students respectively. These charter options provide significant enrollment capacity outside the traditional district model.

A Mix of Rural and Town Environments

With 12 schools in rural settings and seven in towns, students experience a blend of quiet country learning and small-town community life. The average school size is 458 students, but the charter schools and high schools offer much larger campus environments. This mix allows families to choose between traditional district schools and larger, independent charter academies.

Explore Housing Near Top Charter Academies

The presence of high-capacity schools like Falls Lake Academy makes certain parts of Granville County highly desirable for young families. Buyers can find diverse housing options ranging from rural acreage to town-center homes near local schools. Researching specific school boundaries and charter lotteries is a key step for any homebuyer in this area.

Disaster Risk in Granville County

via RiskByCounty

Granville County faces moderate disaster risk

Granville County's composite risk score of 59.35 sits below the North Carolina state average of 66.72 but above the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The county's central Piedmont location exposes it to tornadoes and hurricanes while providing protection from extreme flooding and earthquakes. Granville residents face manageable but meaningful natural disaster exposure.

Granville ranks safely in middle tier

With a composite score of 59.35, Granville County positions itself below the North Carolina average of 66.72, placing it in the safer half of the state's counties. The county's tornado risk (67.94) and hurricane risk (85.44) reflect typical North Carolina exposure patterns, while floods (65.24) and earthquakes (62.12) remain moderate. Granville offers residents below-average statewide risk without exceptional safety.

Granville sits safely below higher-risk peers

Granville's score of 59.35 trails higher-risk neighbors like Edgecombe County (76.37) and Gaston County (84.86), while exceeding safer alternatives like Franklin County (51.72). This middling position places Granville in the Piedmont's safer tier, though elevated compared to western mountain counties. The county offers moderate disaster risk appropriate for regional comparison.

Hurricanes and tornadoes require preparation

Granville County's most significant threats come from hurricanes (85.44) and tornadoes (67.94), reflecting North Carolina's broad exposure to these phenomena. Floods (65.24) and earthquakes (62.12) present additional but secondary risks, while wildfire exposure (35.31) remains minimal. These primary hazards should guide your insurance and preparedness planning.

Solid coverage protects your investment

Granville County's moderate risk profile calls for a comprehensive homeowners policy with robust tornado and wind coverage, supplemented by flood insurance if your property sits in a mapped flood zone. The county's relatively moderate earthquake exposure may not warrant a separate earthquake policy for most residents, though mountain-adjacent properties should evaluate that risk. Review your coverage annually to ensure alignment with your home's value and location within the county.

Weather & Climate in Granville County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic Mid-Atlantic warmth

Granville County averages 59.4°F annually, which is notably warmer than the national median. This climate provides a longer growing season and shorter frost windows than much of the northern U.S.

The benchmark for North Carolina

The county's 59.4°F average temp and 46.2 inches of rain perfectly mirror the state averages of 59.3°F and 51.5 inches respectively. It serves as a climate bellwether for the central part of the state.

Typical Piedmont weather patterns

Granville shares its 38 extreme heat days and 1.7 inches of snow with neighboring Vance and Person counties. It is slightly drier than the coastal plain counties to the east, receiving about 5 inches less rain than the state average.

Balanced seasonal transitions

Summer averages 77.3°F with 38 days reaching at least 90°F. Winter is manageable with a 41.3°F average and very light annual snowfall of just 1.7 inches.

Versatile home systems needed

Since the county hits 90°F on 38 different days, air conditioning is a primary utility concern. Residents should also plan for moderate annual rainfall of 46.2 inches by maintaining clear gutter systems.

Soil Quality in Granville County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced acidity in Granville soil

Granville County's soil pH is 5.53, making it less acidic than the state average of 5.14. It still remains more acidic than the national median of 6.5, requiring attention for pH-sensitive plants.

Excellent silt and clay mix

The soil contains 54.2% sand, 29.5% silt, and 16.3% clay. This high silt and clay combination offers better water retention and workability than the sandier regions of the state.

Superior water capacity for crops

Available water capacity is 0.139 in/in, beating the state average and providing a buffer against drought. Organic matter is low at 1.51%, suggesting a need for compost or cover crops.

Steady drainage and land stability

Although specific drainage classes are not listed, the 29.5% silt content points to soil that manages water effectively. This makes Granville’s landscape resilient and well-suited for both farming and residential use.

A versatile garden in Zone 7b

Zone 7b provides a long growing season for roses, herbs, and most garden vegetables. The excellent water capacity makes this county a fantastic place to establish a permanent landscape.

Lawn Care in Granville County

via LawnByCounty

Granville Leads the State in Ease

Granville County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 51.5, making it easier than both the state average of 40.8 and the national median of 50.0. Located in Zone 7b, the county provides an advantageous environment for lawn enthusiasts. This score suggests that standard care practices often yield excellent results here.

Balanced Climate for Steady Growth

With 46.2 inches of annual precipitation and 38 extreme heat days, Granville aligns perfectly with state averages. The 4,592 growing degree days provide enough warmth for vigorous turf without the oppressive heat of the coastal plain. This balance helps maintain a consistent mowing schedule throughout the growing season.

Typical North Carolina Soil Needs

Granville's soil pH is 5.53, which is slightly acidic but closer to the 6.0-7.0 ideal than many neighbors. The soil composition of 54.2% sand and 16.3% clay offers a reliable structure for most grass types. You should still test your soil annually to manage the gradual acidification typical of the region.

Facing Current Severe Drought

Currently, 100% of Granville is under severe drought conditions, following 22 weeks of drought in the past year. To protect your lawn, use rain sensors on irrigation systems to ensure you only water when necessary. Deep soaking once a week is more effective than daily light sprinkles during these periods.

Establishing Your Granville Lawn

Zone 7b supports a wide range of grasses, including Tall Fescue and various warm-season hybrids. Aim to start your projects after the last spring frost on March 30 for the best survival rates. You have a long growing window until the first fall frost typically occurs on November 6.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Granville County's county score?
Granville County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 39.6 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 Granville County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Granville County ranks #65 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 Granville County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Granville County is $1,694, with an effective tax rate of 0.72%. This earns Granville County a tax score of 61.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Granville County?
The median household income in Granville County, North Carolina is $70,975 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Granville County earns an income score of 68.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Granville County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Granville County scores 39.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #65 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Granville 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 Granville County with other counties side by side.