CountyScore

Henderson County

North Carolina · NC

#47 in North Carolina
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Henderson County, North Carolina

Premium livability significantly above median

Henderson County scores 72.9, nearly 45 points above the national median of 50.0, confirming its position among America's most desirable counties. The strong composite score reflects across-the-board stability.

Outperforms state average slightly

Henderson's 72.9 score slightly exceeds North Carolina's state average of 72.7, placing it in the upper echelon of state counties. It ranks among the strongest performers in the state.

Exceptionally low taxes, solid incomes

Henderson boasts the group's lowest effective tax rate at 0.524% with a tax score of 87.5, the highest in this cohort. Median household income of $67,623 supports the income score of 27.5, and the cost score of 73.2 reflects a median home value of $317,800.

Higher home prices may limit access

The median home value of $317,800 is substantially higher than peer counties, which may present barriers to first-time buyers. Data gaps remain on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors.

Best for affluent tax-conscious relocators

Henderson is ideal for higher-income families and retirees seeking a premium combination of low taxes and strong incomes. The county delivers top-tier fiscal benefits to those who can afford its housing market.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.5Cost73.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.5Risk16.2WaterComing Soon
🏛87.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.2
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 Henderson County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Henderson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Henderson County

via TaxByCounty

Henderson claims NC's lowest tax rate

Henderson County's 0.524% effective rate ranks in the 15th percentile nationally and is 26% lower than the US median of 0.703%. Despite median homes valued at $317,800—above the national average—Henderson residents pay just $1,667 annually, making this mountain county a national standout for tax efficiency.

Henderson leads NC in tax savings

At 0.524%, Henderson carries North Carolina's lowest effective tax rate, 25% below the state average of 0.701%. Among all 100 NC counties, Henderson ranks first for tax favorability.

Henderson lowest in the eight-county sample

Henderson's 0.524% rate is significantly lower than all neighbors in this comparison, including nearest competitor Haywood (0.601%) and distant Guilford (0.883%). The gap between Henderson and highest-rate Halifax (1.135%) represents a 117% difference in effective tax burden.

Henderson homeowner annual tax bill

Despite the highest median home value in this sample at $317,800, Henderson residents pay approximately $1,667 annually in property taxes. With mortgage escrow, the total typically reaches about $1,682.

Verify your valuation even here

Henderson's favorable tax climate makes accurate assessments even more crucial—individual overvaluations stand out against the county norm. Request a property tax appeal if you believe your assessment exceeds fair market value for your home.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Henderson County

via CostByCounty

Henderson edges into affordability concern

Henderson County's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the 20% warning threshold, with median rent of $1,120/month and median household income of $67,623. The county hovers at the boundary of healthy housing burden.

Slightly above NC's affordability line

Henderson's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, making it a pricier county relative to state norms. Median rent runs $182 above the state median of $938, reflecting mountain-region desirability.

NC's priciest rental market in group

Henderson's $1,120 median rent is the highest among all eight comparison counties, topping even Guilford and Haywood. This premium reflects the county's status as a mountain destination with strong retiree and remote-worker demand.

Homeownership unlocks better value

Renters pay $1,120/month while homeowners spend $973/month—a $147 monthly savings that highlights the rental market's premium. At $317,800, Henderson's median home value is the highest in our analysis, yet mortgages remain cheaper than rents.

Henderson: buy or bring higher income

Henderson County's mountain charm commands top-dollar rents—at 19.9% of income, renters are dangerously close to affordability crisis. Consider ownership if you can qualify, or ensure your remote income substantially exceeds the $67,623 median to avoid housing stress.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Henderson County

via IncomeByCounty

Henderson approaches national income levels

Henderson County's median household income of $67,623 lags the national median of $74,755 by roughly $7,100, but represents solid middle-class earning power well above state average. The county ranks in the upper tier of American counties and demonstrates strong economic performance for its size.

Henderson ranks among state's top earners

At $67,623, Henderson County's median household income exceeds North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by 11%, placing it solidly in the upper third of the state's 100 counties. The county's per capita income of $38,976 is the highest among all eight counties profiled here, reflecting exceptional individual earning capacity.

Henderson leads all peer counties profiled

Henderson's $67,623 median household income surpasses all comparable counties in this analysis, including Harnett ($69,012), Guilford ($66,027), and Haywood ($61,001). The county's high per capita income of $38,976 signals both robust household earnings and strong individual wage opportunities across sectors.

Rent affordable, housing premium priced

Henderson households spend just 19.9% of income on rent, leaving comfortable room for savings and other expenses. However, the median home value of $317,800 is the highest among all profiled counties, creating a significant affordability challenge for homebuyers relative to income, though appreciation potential is strong.

Henderson: maximize investment opportunities

Henderson's above-average income and favorable rent ratios position households to aggressively build wealth through 15–20% retirement savings, investment accounts, and real estate appreciation. Families here should explore multiple investment vehicles—401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and taxable brokerage accounts—to capitalize on sustained earning power and grow assets toward seven-figure net worth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Henderson County

via HealthByCounty

Henderson leads on life expectancy

At 77.4 years, Henderson County residents live nearly 3 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. Just 15.9% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 18%.

A North Carolina health champion

Henderson's 77.4-year life expectancy significantly exceeds North Carolina's 74.4-year state average—among the best in the state. However, its 13.6% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 12.5%.

Top-tier provider access

Henderson offers 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 275 mental health providers per 100,000, providing strong healthcare infrastructure. This robust network supports the county's excellent health outcomes.

13.6% of Henderson residents uninsured

Despite abundant providers, about 1 in 7 Henderson residents lack health insurance coverage. This gap means some miss preventive care even in a county with exceptional healthcare resources.

Bridge the coverage gap today

Visit nchealthplans.gov to compare plans or call 1-855-408-1010 for free help enrolling. Henderson's excellent providers are best accessed with coverage in place.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Henderson County

via RiskByCounty

Henderson County ranks above-average nationally

Henderson's composite risk score of 83.78 exceeds the national median and earns a Relatively Moderate rating, indicating elevated disaster exposure. Residents face measurably higher natural hazard risk compared to typical U.S. counties.

Among North Carolina's higher-risk counties

At 83.78, Henderson ranks in the upper third of North Carolina's counties, well above the state average of 66.72. The county's mountain location and proximity to multiple hazard zones drive this elevated composite score.

Riskiest in its immediate region

Henderson (83.78) substantially exceeds neighboring Polk, Transylvania, and Buncombe counties in composite risk, making it one of the mountain region's most hazard-exposed areas. Only Guilford County (93.45) elsewhere in the state carries comparable risk.

Earthquakes and floods compound mountain risks

Henderson faces earthquake risk of 84.61 and flood risk of 84.00—both significantly elevated due to its Blue Ridge location. Tornado risk (80.57) adds a third serious threat to this multi-hazard environment.

Comprehensive coverage essential here

Henderson's earthquake (84.61), flood (84.00), and tornado (80.57) risks demand robust insurance: verify earthquake coverage, secure separate flood insurance, and ensure wind protection. Foundation reinforcement and proper drainage infrastructure provide critical physical protection.

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.