countyscore

Greene County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#52 in North Carolina
43.4
County Score
Schools 62.1Cost of Living 61.4Weather & Climate 57.2

County Report Card

About Greene County, North Carolina

Approaching National Average Levels

Greene County earns a composite score of 43.5, placing it just under the 50.0 national median. It performs better than many of its immediate neighbors in eastern North Carolina.

Mirroring the North Carolina Average

The county’s 43.5 score is very close to the North Carolina average of 44.7. This makes it a representative example of livability within the state's agricultural heartland.

Strong Schools and Low Housing Costs

School quality is a highlight with a score of 62.1. Affordability is also high, with a Cost Score of 59.2 and a median home value of only $114,000.

Struggling Health and Income Scores

Income remains a challenge at 16.5, with a median household income of $50,904. The Health Score of 22.7 also indicates a need for better medical access and outcomes.

A Solid Choice for Families

Greene County is a strong candidate for families who want quality education without a high price tag. It suits those who can commute for work while enjoying low-cost, high-educational-value living at home.

2040608010044.161.431.722.762.117.937.446.257.2Tax44.1Cost61.4Safety31.7Health22.7Schools62.1Income17.9Risk37.4Water46.2Weather57.243.4/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

Greene County DNA

Foverall

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

Greene County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (61.4/100) but notably weak in Income (17.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
44.1
Cost
61.4+13.399999999999999
Safety
31.7-23.3
Health
22.7-27.3
Schools
62.1+8.100000000000001
Income
17.9-33.1
Risk
37.4-9.600000000000001
Water
46.2-11.799999999999997
Weather
57.2
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Greene County?

Many homeowners in Greene County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$117,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$853/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$117,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,244/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.7

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Greene County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Greene County

via TaxByCounty

Greene taxes above national average

At 0.868%, Greene's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.86%, placing it slightly above the 50th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $990 is well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Greene's median home value of $114,000, one of the lowest in this analysis.

Greene above state average

Greene's effective rate of 0.868% exceeds North Carolina's average of 0.701%, making it one of the state's higher-taxed counties. Despite this elevated rate, the median property tax of $990 falls below the state average of $1,433 due to Greene's lower home values.

Greene among highest-taxed in region

Greene's 0.868% rate is exceeded only by Edgecombe (1.098%) and sits above all other comparison counties including Forsyth (0.849%), Gaston (0.797%), and Franklin (0.719%). For rural homeowners, Greene's tax burden is notably steeper than neighboring alternatives.

Typical Greene homeowner pays $990

With a median home value of $114,000 and an effective rate of 0.868%, the typical Greene homeowner pays $990 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,021, while those without mortgages pay $970.

Appeal inflated assessments today

Greene homeowners should scrutinize their property assessments, as inflated valuations are common and can be challenged at no cost. A successful reassessment appeal could provide meaningful savings on your annual tax bill.

Income & Jobs in Greene County

via IncomeByCounty

Greene County faces income gap

Greene County's median household income of $50,904 trails the national median of $74,755 by 32%, ranking among the lowest in North Carolina. The significant gap reflects concentrated economic challenges in this rural county.

Lower-tier earnings statewide

At $50,904, Greene's median household income ranks in the lower tier of North Carolina's 100 counties, falling 17% below the state average of $61,072. Per capita income of $22,474 substantially lags the state average of $33,920.

Greene trails neighboring counties

Greene's $50,904 falls below nearby Franklin ($71,386) and Granville ($70,975) by significant margins, matching only Graham County ($49,038) in the eastern region. The county faces steeper income challenges than most regional peers.

Housing costs strain budgets

Greene's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% sits at the edge of affordability, meaning renters dedicate nearly one-fifth of earnings to housing. A median home value of $114,000 offers more accessible homeownership, but financing remains challenging on median incomes.

Start small, think long-term

Greene households earning $50,904 should prioritize basic savings ($50-100 monthly) before considering investments. Explore matched savings accounts through nonprofits, employer benefits, and tax refund optimization to build wealth gradually and sustainably.

Safety in Greene County

via CrimeByCounty

Impressive Safety in Greene County

Greene County boasts a safety score of 97.5, reflecting a total crime rate of 1,612.2 per 100K. This is considerably safer than the national average rate of 2,385.5.

Surpassing the State Safety Average

The county's safety score of 97.5 beats the North Carolina average of 96.8. Its crime rate is also well below the state average of 2,050.0 crimes per 100K residents.

Far Safer Than Neighboring Edgecombe

Greene County is significantly safer than its neighbor Edgecombe, where the crime rate is more than three times higher. This makes Greene a notably secure choice for the region.

Property and Violent Crime Insights

Violent crime is low at 245.0 per 100K, while property crime is reported at 1,367.2. These figures demonstrate a community where serious crime is far less common than average.

Protecting Your Home in Greene

Maintain your home's security by ensuring all entryways are well-lit and locked. Neighborhood watch efforts and smart technology help keep this county one of the safest in the state.

Soil Quality in Greene County

via SoilByCounty

Greene's acidic and sandy earth

Greene County soil features an acidic pH of 4.75, which is lower than the state average of 5.14. Compared to the national median of 6.5, this soil requires significant buffering for standard garden crops.

The sandiest soil in the region

At 73.3% sand, this is the sandiest soil in the group, with only 9.1% clay. This creates extremely loose, well-aerated soil that is very easy to plow but loses water quickly.

Low water retention challenges

Available water capacity is just 0.113 in/in, the lowest among these counties and well below the state average. Organic matter is 2.21%, which is slightly above the national average of 2.0%.

Rapid drainage and irrigation needs

The 73.3% sand content guarantees rapid drainage, though formal classifications are unavailable. Growers should be prepared for frequent irrigation to keep plants hydrated in this fast-draining environment.

Endless summer in Zone 8a

Hardiness zone 8a offers a long, warm season for peanuts and watermelons that love sandy soil. Start your garden today and enjoy the benefits of this easy-to-work Coastal Plain earth.

Lawn Care in Greene County

via LawnByCounty

Greene County's High-Difficulty Lawn Care

Greene County faces significant lawn care hurdles with a difficulty score of only 23.6. This is far below the state average of 40.8 and indicates one of the most challenging environments in the region. Homeowners in this Zone 8a county must be highly diligent to achieve a successful lawn.

Extreme Heat and High Precipitation

Greene endures 53 extreme heat days per year, well above the state average of 38, putting immense stress on turf. While the 52.9 inches of annual rainfall is plentiful, the intense heat can quickly lead to evaporation and soil drying. You will need a robust irrigation strategy to keep your lawn from scorching in the summer sun.

Sandy Soil with Nutrient Challenges

The soil is predominantly sandy at 73.3%, with a low clay content of 9.1%, making it prone to nutrient leaching. With a pH of 4.75, the soil is also very acidic and requires heavy lime applications to reach the 6.0-7.0 ideal range. Frequent, light fertilization is often better than heavy applications for this sandy foundation.

Long-Term Drought Stress in Greene

The county is currently 100% covered by severe drought and has spent 34 weeks in drought over the last year. These persistent conditions make it critical to choose the most drought-tolerant grass species available. Reducing fertilization during the hottest months can also prevent unnecessary grass stress when water is scarce.

Success with Warm-Season Grasses

In Zone 8a, warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Bahia are the most resilient options for Greene County's heat. While specific frost dates are not provided, planting should generally occur in late spring after the soil has warmed. This allows your lawn to take full advantage of the high rainfall before the late-year cooling begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greene County's county score?
Greene County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 43.4 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 Greene County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Greene County ranks #52 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 Greene County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Greene County is $1,041, with an effective tax rate of 0.89%. This earns Greene County a tax score of 44.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Greene County?
The median household income in Greene County, North Carolina is $53,244 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Greene County earns an income score of 17.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Greene County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Greene County scores 43.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Greene 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 Greene County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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