CountyScore

Greene County

North Carolina · NC

#69 in North Carolina
65.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Greene County, North Carolina

Greene ranks above national median

Greene County scores 72.3 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. This solid performance demonstrates Greene's livability compared to typical American counties. Greene essentially matches North Carolina's state average of 72.7, indicating performance right at state norms.

Essentially matches state average

At 72.3, Greene scores just 0.4 points below North Carolina's state average of 72.7, achieving near-perfect alignment with state norms. The county ranks in the upper tier of NC counties with consistent, mainstream performance. Greene represents a reliable, statistically average choice within North Carolina.

Outstanding affordability leads appeal

Greene's standout strength is its Cost Score of 82.2, the second-highest in this group, reflecting exceptional housing affordability with only $845/month median rent and $114,000 median home value. The Tax Score of 77.8, backed by a 0.868% effective tax rate, adds financial relief for residents. These dual advantages make Greene particularly attractive to cost-conscious households seeking maximum value.

Low incomes and incomplete data

Greene's Income Score of 16.6 reflects a median household income of just $50,904, the second-lowest in the group, indicating limited high-wage employment opportunities. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, leaving important livability questions unanswered. Prospective residents dependent on local employment should carefully research job market strength.

Suits cost-conscious families and retirees

Greene County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing exceptional affordability and low taxes over high local incomes, particularly those with external income sources. The county's combination of rock-bottom housing costs and moderate tax burden makes it ideal for fixed-income households seeking stretched budgets. Remote workers, pension-supported retirees, and budget-focused families will find Greene's value proposition compelling.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.8Cost82.2SafetyComing SoonHealth55.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.6Risk37.4WaterComing Soon
🏛77.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡37.4
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 Greene County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Houston County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $80,743
Tift County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $53,165
Christian County
Kentucky
65.1
Median income: $54,190
Berrien County
Michigan
65.1
Median income: $63,152
Lee County
Mississippi
65.1
Median income: $67,144

Deep Dives

Greene County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Greene County

via CostByCounty

Greene stretches housing budgets tight

Greene residents spend 19.9% of their $50,904 median income on $845 monthly rent—matching Gaston County's affordability strain despite 29% lower rents. Low incomes make even cheap rents consume a large household budget share.

Above-average affordability challenge

Greene's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% significantly exceeds North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, ranking it among the state's least affordable counties. The $845 rent falls below the state median of $938, yet the low income creates relative hardship.

Similar challenges to Edgecombe

Greene's 19.9% ratio nearly matches Edgecombe's 20.3% burden, with both counties facing affordability challenges despite Greene's slightly lower rent of $845 versus $818. Franklin County's residents, earning 40% more, find identical rents far more manageable.

Renters bear heavier load than owners

Renters pay $845 monthly while homeowners pay $723, creating disparate affordability between housing types on a $50,904 income. Annual renter costs total roughly $10,100, consuming one-fifth of household earnings and limiting other spending.

Graham offers better affordability nearby

If you're considering Greene for low rents, Graham County's $581 rent and 14.2% ratio deliver significantly better value despite comparable incomes. Franklin County, just south, offers $1,008 rents on 40% higher incomes, expanding household financial flexibility.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Greene County

via HealthByCounty

Greene struggles with health access and outcomes

Greene County's life expectancy of 74.9 years falls 1.2 years short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years, while its poor/fair health rate of 24.7% is among the worst nationally—more than 8 percentage points above national norms. The uninsured rate of 17.9% creates severe barriers to healthcare access. Greene faces multiple, compounding health challenges across all major indicators.

Among NC's most troubled health profiles

Greene's 24.7% poor/fair health rate is the worst among North Carolina counties reviewed here, and its 17.9% uninsured rate is the highest—exceeding the state average of 12.5% by 5.4 percentage points. Life expectancy of 74.9 years tracks near state average but masks severe underlying health challenges. Greene faces systemic health access and outcomes crises requiring urgent intervention.

Greene faces worse outcomes than eastern NC peers

Greene's 24.7% poor/fair health rate vastly exceeds nearby Wilson (19.8%) and Lenoir (20.5%) counties, while its 17.9% uninsured rate is 3-4 percentage points higher than comparable eastern NC neighbors. Life expectancy of 74.9 years is slightly better than Wilson (74.2) but worse than Lenoir (75.1), suggesting concentrated health disadvantage. Greene's health crisis is notably worse than surrounding counties.

Severe provider shortage compounds coverage gaps

Greene County has only 15 primary care providers and 63 mental health providers per 100K residents—the lowest primary care availability among all comparison counties—creating a doubled healthcare access crisis. The 17.9% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 5 residents have no financial access to even the limited providers available. Supply and demand crises overlap, leaving residents with almost no viable healthcare access.

Coverage is urgent step toward health recovery

Greene's 17.9% uninsured rate represents a health emergency: without insurance, Greene residents face catastrophic medical bills and avoid preventive care, worsening the county's already-serious health outcomes. Healthcare.gov and the NC Health Insurance Marketplace offer assistance for nearly all uninsured households, often at minimal or zero cost. Expanding coverage is the essential first step toward addressing Greene's health crisis.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Greene County

via RiskByCounty

Greene County faces moderate disaster exposure

Greene County's composite risk score of 62.63 sits slightly below the North Carolina state average of 66.72, earning a "Relatively Low" rating despite meaningful exposure to multiple hazards. The county's eastern location creates particular vulnerability to hurricanes while tempering risks from tornadoes and earthquakes. Greene residents face manageable but important natural disaster considerations.

Greene ranks safely below state average

With a composite score of 62.63, Greene County positions itself slightly below North Carolina's state average of 66.72, placing it in the safer half of the state's counties. The county's hurricane risk (92.91) stands among the state's highest due to eastern location, while tornado (59.03) and earthquake (47.20) exposure remain moderate. Greene's overall profile reflects coastal plain vulnerability tempered by distance from the coast.

Greene sits in moderate regional tier

Greene's score of 62.63 slightly exceeds Franklin County (51.72) while trailing higher-risk neighbors like Edgecombe County (76.37) and Gaston County (84.86). The county's exceptional hurricane risk (92.91) distinguishes it from many peers, reflecting its eastern location and exposure to Atlantic systems. This positioning places Greene in the region's moderate-to-elevated tier for coastal hazards specifically.

Hurricanes dominate Greene's risk profile

Greene County's most pressing natural disaster threat comes from hurricanes (92.91)—the highest risk score across all hazard categories and substantially above state and national norms. Tornadoes (59.03) and floods (39.50) present secondary but still meaningful risks, while earthquakes (47.20) and wildfires (29.42) remain relatively minor concerns. Hurricane preparedness and protection form the core of your disaster strategy.

Hurricane coverage is absolutely essential

Greene County's exceptional hurricane risk (92.91) makes comprehensive wind and hail coverage in your homeowners policy non-negotiable—standard policies provide this, but verify your coverage limits match your home's replacement value. Add flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly if your property sits in or near mapped flood zones, as hurricanes frequently produce heavy rainfall and flooding. Contact your agent today to ensure your home can withstand Greene County's primary natural disaster threat.

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.