CountyScore

Haywood County

North Carolina · NC

#44 in North Carolina
67.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Haywood County, North Carolina

Top-tier livability by national standards

Haywood County scores 73.3, more than 45 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's most livable counties. The score reflects strong performance across fiscal and housing cost dimensions.

Outperforms North Carolina average

Haywood's score of 73.3 edges above North Carolina's state average of 72.7, ranking it in the upper tier of state counties. It's among the stronger performers in the state's livability landscape.

Lowest tax burden in the group

Haywood stands out with the lowest effective tax rate of 0.601% and a tax score of 85.4, the highest in this cohort. The cost score of 76.8 reflects moderate housing affordability, with a median home value of $254,900 and rent of $1,052.

Income earnings trail slightly

The income score of 23.2 indicates a median household income of $61,001, modestly below state averages. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured.

Excellent choice for tax-savvy families

Haywood excels for those prioritizing low tax burden and cost-conscious living, particularly retirees and self-employed professionals. The county delivers strong fiscal fundamentals in a mountain-adjacent setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost76.8SafetyComing SoonHealth68.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.2Risk22.8WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.2
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
⚡22.8
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 Haywood County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Kalawao County
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Mercer County
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Median income: $71,710
Chautauqua County
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Median income: $54,592

Deep Dives

Haywood County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Haywood County

via TaxByCounty

Haywood offers light tax load nationally

Haywood County's 0.601% effective rate ranks in the 25th percentile nationally, well below both the US median (0.703%) and North Carolina average (0.701%). Residents of this mountain county enjoy one of the nation's lower property tax burdens, paying just $1,532 annually on a median home valued at $254,900.

Haywood among NC's tax-friendly counties

At 0.601%, Haywood ranks in the lower quartile of North Carolina's 100 counties for effective tax rate, sitting 14% below the state average. The county positions itself as a tax-advantaged community within the state.

Haywood rivals Henderson for lowest rates

Haywood's 0.601% rate nearly matches Henderson County's 0.524%—the two lowest effective rates in this eight-county sample. Both mountain counties offer significantly lighter tax burdens than their Piedmont and eastern counterparts.

Haywood tax bill on median home

The median Haywood home, valued at $254,900, generates approximately $1,532 in annual property taxes. This translates to roughly $1,543 when mortgage escrow is included.

Low rates don't mean skip assessments

Even in tax-friendly counties, overassessment happens—appraisals may not reflect local market conditions or recent renovations. Haywood homeowners should still request a formal assessment review if their valuation seems out of step with comparable properties selling nearby.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Haywood County

via CostByCounty

Haywood's mountain rental squeeze

Haywood County renters spend 20.7% of median household income ($61,001) on rent at $1,052/month, matching the threshold where affordability tightens. The county runs above the national norm by a thin margin.

Above-average rent burden statewide

Haywood's 20.7% rent-to-income ratio sits 2.1 points above North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, placing the county among the less affordable regions. Median rent of $1,052 runs $114 above the state median of $938.

Western mountain premium pricing

Haywood's $1,052 rent exceeds most comparison counties, reflecting western North Carolina's mountain tourism and residential desirability. Henderson County ($1,120) and Guilford ($1,108) command higher rents, but Haywood ranks third-priciest in our analysis.

Renters pay double homeowner costs

Renters shoulder $1,052/month while homeowners spend just $820/month—a striking $232 gap revealing Haywood's heated rental market. Median home value of $254,900 reflects mountain-area appeal that pushes rents higher than mortgages.

Haywood: mountain living at a price

Haywood's scenery and outdoor recreation attract remote workers and retirees, driving up rents faster than incomes. If relocating here, prioritize homeownership or substantial remote income to avoid being priced into rental instability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Haywood County

via IncomeByCounty

Haywood slightly exceeds state, trails nation

Haywood County's median household income of $61,001 is nearly flat with North Carolina's state average of $61,072, but falls short of the national median of $74,755 by about $13,700. The county represents a typical rural North Carolina experience, neither outperforming nor significantly lagging regional peers.

Haywood near middle of state rankings

At $61,001, Haywood County's median household income sits virtually at the state average of $61,072, placing it near the middle of North Carolina's 100 counties. The county's per capita income of $35,580 exceeds the state average of $33,920, showing solid individual earning potential.

Haywood competitive with rural peers

Haywood's $61,001 median household income trails Harnett ($69,012) and Henderson ($67,623) but outperforms Hoke ($60,095) and matches state-level stability. The county offers a middle-ground income profile among its peer group, neither struggling nor prospering exceptionally.

Rent manageable, housing quite pricey

At 20.7% of income, Haywood's rent-to-income ratio is reasonable, though households must budget carefully for other costs. The median home value of $254,900 is notably high relative to the $61,001 median household income, requiring substantial down payments and limiting homeownership accessibility for median-income families.

Balance housing costs with investing

Haywood households should prioritize building a 3–6 month emergency fund given the county's elevated home values and housing pressures. Once basic security is established, contributing 5–8% to tax-advantaged retirement accounts can help offset the challenge of achieving homeownership while building long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Haywood County

via HealthByCounty

Haywood performs well nationally

At 74.6 years, Haywood County's life expectancy slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 74.5 years. With just 15.7% reporting poor or fair health—below the national 18% average—residents enjoy relatively good wellness.

Haywood ranks above state median

Haywood's 74.6-year life expectancy marginally exceeds North Carolina's 74.4-year state average. The 12.2% uninsured rate matches the state average exactly, suggesting typical insurance coverage patterns.

Strong mental health provider network

Haywood stands out with 407 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—one of the highest rates in the region. Primary care is well-represented too at 69 providers per 100,000, ensuring accessible healthcare.

12.2% of Haywood residents uninsured

About 1 in 8 Haywood residents lack insurance despite the county's strong provider availability. Those without coverage miss out on preventive care and may delay treatment due to cost.

Get insured to stay healthy

Use the NC health marketplace to explore plans at nchealthplans.gov or contact a local navigator. With excellent providers nearby, insurance connects you to care that works.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Haywood County

via RiskByCounty

Haywood's risk slightly exceeds national norm

Haywood County's composite score of 77.19 places it marginally above the national average with a Relatively Low overall rating. While not exceptionally hazardous, the county's mountain setting introduces distinct flood and earthquake considerations.

Below-average risk for North Carolina

Haywood scores 77.19 against the state average of 66.72, ranking it in the lower-to-middle tier of North Carolina's 100 counties. The county faces more moderate exposure compared to the state's highest-risk regions.

Risk varies across mountain region

Haywood (77.19) sits between Henderson County (83.78) to the south and lower-risk western mountain counties. The variation reflects different topography and proximity to hazard zones within the Appalachian region.

Flash flooding threatens mountain communities

Haywood's flood risk score of 83.56 is the primary concern, driven by steep terrain and rapid runoff during heavy rain. Earthquake risk (71.82) and wildfire risk (58.75) present secondary but meaningful threats to residents.

Flood insurance critical for Haywood residents

With flood risk at 83.56, standard homeowners insurance is insufficient; securing a separate flood policy is essential for mountain and valley properties. Consider structural improvements like elevated utilities and reinforced drainage around your home.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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