CountyScore

Hyde County

North Carolina · NC

#91 in North Carolina
63.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Hyde County, North Carolina

Strong county-level livability nationally

Hyde County scores 70.1, approximately 40 points above the national median of 50.0, confirming strong overall livability. The score places it well within the top tier of American counties.

Modestly below North Carolina standard

Hyde's score of 70.1 trails the state average of 72.7, positioning it in the middle of North Carolina's county rankings. The county remains a reasonable contender within the state's options.

Exceptional tax and housing affordability

Hyde scores 84.6 on taxes with a 0.630% effective rate and 73.1 on cost, with a median home value of $119,600. These dimensions offer strong fiscal advantages, though median rent of $1,237 is elevated for the region.

Income levels significantly constrain appeal

The income score of 14.3 reflects a median household income of $47,338, among the lowest in this cohort. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable.

Best for retirees valuing extreme affordability

Hyde appeals primarily to retirees and remote workers seeking maximum tax efficiency and low home costs. First-time buyers and those seeking wage-based employment should investigate local economic conditions thoroughly.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.6Cost73.1SafetyComing SoonHealth56.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.3Risk33.6WaterComing Soon
🏛84.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡33.6
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 Hyde County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pinal County
Arizona
63.5
Median income: $77,588
Rockdale County
Georgia
63.5
Median income: $72,349
Logan County
Illinois
63.5
Median income: $64,188
Perry County
Illinois
63.5
Median income: $59,286
Lyon County
Kansas
63.5
Median income: $59,078

Deep Dives

Hyde County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hyde County

via TaxByCounty

Hyde County offers the lowest taxes overall

Hyde County's 0.630% effective rate ranks in the 20th percentile nationally, sitting 10% below the US median of 0.703%. Residents pay just $753 annually on a median home valued at $119,600—the lowest absolute tax bill in this eight-county sample, reflecting both low rates and modest home values.

Hyde among NC's most tax-friendly

At 0.630%, Hyde ranks in the lower quartile of North Carolina's 100 counties, sitting 10% below the state average of 0.701%. The coastal county offers tax advantages compared to most NC communities.

Hyde lowest in eastern North Carolina

Hyde's 0.630% rate undercuts even Henderson's 0.524% when measuring absolute regional standing, though it's slightly higher than Henderson's rate. Among eastern counties, Hyde stands apart—significantly lower than Halifax (1.135%) and Hertford (0.975%).

Hyde County annual property tax

The median Hyde home, valued at $119,600, generates approximately $753 in annual property taxes—the lowest bill in this comparison. Mortgaged homes typically see escrow-adjusted taxes around $619.

Review assessments regardless of rate

Even in low-tax counties, individual overassessment occurs when appraisals don't reflect accurate market values or property condition. Hyde homeowners should request their assessment be reviewed against recent comparable sales to ensure fairness.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hyde County

via CostByCounty

Hyde faces America's worst affordability

Hyde County's 31.4% rent-to-income ratio is catastrophic—renters spend nearly one-third of their income on housing at $1,237/month from a median income of just $47,338. This is among the worst housing affordability crises in the nation.

NC's unaffordable outlier

Hyde's 31.4% rent-to-income ratio more than doubles North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, making it an extreme outlier across 100 counties. At $1,237/month, median rent towers $299 above the state median of $938.

Rents spike without income support

Hyde's $1,237 rent is the highest among all eight counties despite having one of the lowest median incomes ($47,338). This collision—premium coastal pricing meeting poverty-level incomes—creates the region's worst affordability math.

Rents devour one-third of income

Renters spend $1,237/month—31.4% of income—while homeowners pay $833/month, revealing a staggering $404 monthly gap. Hyde's $119,600 median home value suggests homeownership as the only viable housing path for long-term residents.

Hyde: relocation requires substantial income

Hyde County's 31.4% rent-to-income ratio is a national crisis—do not relocate as a renter unless your income is double the county median or higher. The county's isolated Outer Banks location and limited job market mean this affordability gap won't resolve without exterior income.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hyde County

via IncomeByCounty

Hyde faces America's income gap

Hyde County's median household income of $47,338 trails the national median of $74,755 by over $27,000, placing it among the lowest-earning counties in America. The county faces severe economic challenges that constrain household wealth-building and limit overall regional development.

Hyde ranks among state's poorest

At $47,338, Hyde County's median household income is 23% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072, landing it in the very bottom tier of the state's counties. The per capita income of just $22,370 is the lowest among all profiled counties, indicating extreme income concentration and limited economic opportunity.

Hyde most challenged in region

Hyde's $47,338 median household income ranks lowest or near-lowest among all eight profiled counties, alongside Halifax and Hertford in a struggling low-income tier. The county faces the most acute economic challenges, requiring intensive workforce development and external economic stimulus to improve household earning capacity.

Rent crisis signals broader strain

At a concerning 31.4% of income, Hyde County's rent-to-income ratio far exceeds the recommended 20% threshold, indicating severe housing affordability stress. Combined with the lowest per capita income in the region, households here face acute budget pressures that make saving nearly impossible without additional income or dramatic cost reduction.

Seek outside support and patience

Hyde County households should explore local assistance programs for utilities, food, and housing before attempting personal wealth-building investments. Once basic needs are stabilized, even $10–$20 monthly to a savings account provides foundation; families should also prioritize employer retirement matches where available, as long-term compounding offers eventual relief from current constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hyde County

via HealthByCounty

Hyde's life expectancy masks deep challenges

At 77.8 years, Hyde County's life expectancy is the highest in this group—nearly 3 years above the U.S. average of 74.5 years. Yet 25.4% report poor or fair health, the highest rate in the comparison, and 18.9% lack insurance.

Hyde leads life expectancy despite struggles

Hyde's 77.8-year life expectancy significantly exceeds North Carolina's 74.4-year state average. However, the 18.9% uninsured rate—the state's highest—represents a severe coverage crisis.

Extreme provider scarcity

Hyde has just 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and only 22 mental health providers per 100,000—the lowest mental health capacity in the region. Rural isolation and population sparsity severely limit care access.

18.9% of Hyde residents uninsured

Nearly 1 in 5 Hyde residents lack coverage in a county with almost no local healthcare infrastructure. This combination creates the state's most precarious healthcare situation.

Coverage is critical for Hyde residents

Visit nchealthplans.gov or call 1-855-408-1010 immediately to explore all available options including Medicaid. Coverage helps pay for care you must seek outside this isolated county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hyde County

via RiskByCounty

Hyde County faces near-average national risk

Hyde's composite score of 66.44 sits right at the national median, earning a Relatively Low rating. This Outer Banks location experiences typical American-level disaster exposure, though with distinct coastal hazards.

Very close to North Carolina's state average

At 66.44, Hyde ranks almost exactly at the state average of 66.72, placing it squarely in the middle of North Carolina's risk distribution. The county experiences balanced exposure to multiple regional hazard types.

Similar profile to other Outer Banks counties

Hyde (66.44) aligns closely with Dare and Beaufort counties in overall risk, reflecting shared coastal Outer Banks geography. Slight differences in hurricane and flood scores reflect varying barrier island and inlet exposure.

Hurricanes and flooding dominate coastal threats

Hyde faces hurricane risk of 94.58 and flood risk of 84.40—both exceptionally high due to low elevation and barrier island exposure. Wildfire risk (74.71) reflects vegetation vulnerability, while tornado and earthquake risks remain minimal at 21.72 and 19.02 respectively.

Coastal hurricane and flood insurance essential

With hurricane risk at 94.58 and flood risk at 84.40, comprehensive coastal coverage is non-negotiable; secure both separate flood insurance and robust wind/water damage coverage. Elevation, storm-resistant construction, and regular maintenance provide critical supplemental 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.