CountyScore

Iredell County

North Carolina · NC

#52 in North Carolina
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Iredell County, North Carolina

Iredell Scores 41% Above National Median

Iredell County's composite score of 70.6 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 41-point advantage reflects strong fundamentals across tax and housing affordability, positioning the county as a livable alternative to many parts of the country.

Slightly Below Average for North Carolina

Iredell ranks below the state average composite score of 72.7, placing it in the middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. While not among the state's top performers, the county still delivers solid livability across measured dimensions.

Tax Benefits and Reasonable Housing Costs

Iredell's 84.5 tax score reflects an effective tax rate of just 0.630%, among the lowest burdens in the state. Housing affordability scores at 69.2, with a median home value of $292,300 and median gross rent of $1,183/month, supporting the county's appeal to cost-conscious residents.

Income Growth Lags Behind Tax Advantages

With a median household income of $78,678 and income score of just 34.7, wage growth hasn't kept pace with the county's strong tax position. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remains limited, preventing a fuller livability picture.

Best for Tax-Conscious, Established Families

Iredell suits families and retirees seeking stable housing costs and low tax burdens on moderate-to-solid incomes. The county's profile suggests it works best for those prioritizing fiscal stability over rapid income growth or urban amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.5Cost69.2SafetyComing SoonHealth71.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.7Risk19.2WaterComing Soon
🏛84.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.2
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 Iredell County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Broomfield County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $121,025
Pueblo County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $62,250
Coffee County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $50,175
Wayne County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $49,562
Tippecanoe County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $58,622

Deep Dives

Iredell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Iredell County

via TaxByCounty

Iredell's tax rate ranks low nationally

At 0.630%, Iredell County's effective property tax rate falls well below the national median of 0.87%, placing the county in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,843 annually—less than the national median of $2,690—despite median home values nearly matching the national average of $281,900.

Iredell sits below North Carolina average

North Carolina's average effective tax rate stands at 0.701%, and Iredell County undercuts that by about 0.07 percentage points. Among the state's 100 counties, this places Iredell in the lower-tax tier, with homeowners paying roughly 29% less in annual property taxes than the state median of $1,433.

Iredell competes with nearby counties

Compared to regional peers, Iredell's 0.630% rate sits between Lincoln County (0.594%) and Johnston County (0.688%) in the Piedmont region. Iredell homeowners pay $1,843 annually, making it competitive with neighboring counties while maintaining moderate tax levels.

What Iredell homeowners actually pay

The median Iredell home valued at $292,300 generates an annual property tax bill of $1,843. With mortgage-related assessments, some homeowners may see bills climb to $2,124, though this varies by individual property circumstances and exemptions.

Iredell homeowners can appeal taxes

Research shows many homeowners across North Carolina are overassessed, and Iredell is no exception. If you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its market value, filing an appeal with the county tax assessor's office could reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Iredell County

via CostByCounty

Iredell's rent burden beats the nation

Iredell renters spend 18.0% of their income on housing, slightly below the national median of 18.6%, making it a relatively affordable market by U.S. standards. With a median household income of $78,678—above the national average of $74,755—residents here have more breathing room than most Americans when paying rent.

A bright spot among North Carolina counties

Iredell's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks near the middle of North Carolina's affordability spectrum, outperforming the state average of 18.6%. This balance reflects strong median incomes paired with relatively moderate rents of $1,183 per month—just 26% above the state median.

Iredell keeps pace with surrounding areas

Iredell's median rent of $1,183 sits between more rural, affordable neighbors like Catawba County and pricier areas closer to urban centers. The county's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% is competitive with Lincoln County (14.9%) while remaining more affordable than Lenoir County (21.8%).

Housing takes a balanced share of income

Renters in Iredell dedicate about $1,183 monthly to housing costs, while homeowners with mortgages pay $1,155—nearly equal burdens on a median income of $78,678. Together, these figures show housing claims roughly 18% of the typical household budget, leaving adequate income for other essentials.

Consider Iredell for balanced affordability

If you're weighing relocation options, Iredell offers solid income-to-housing ratios without the steep costs of metro areas—median home values of $292,300 remain accessible to households earning near $78,000 annually. Compare this stability to higher-burden counties and you'll see why Iredell attracts families seeking economic balance.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Iredell County

via IncomeByCounty

Iredell outpaces the nation on income

Iredell County's median household income of $78,678 runs $3,923 ahead of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the upper tier nationally. This 5% advantage signals strong earning power relative to American households overall.

Top-earning county in North Carolina

At $78,678, Iredell's median household income towers 29% above North Carolina's state average of $61,072, making it one of the state's most prosperous counties. Per capita income of $43,261 also exceeds the state average of $33,920 by nearly 28%.

Iredell leads regional income rankings

Iredell's $78,678 median income outshines nearby Lincoln County ($78,490) and Johnston County ($79,838), though Johnston edges it slightly. Compared to struggling neighbors like Lenoir County ($44,795), Iredell households earn 76% more, revealing sharp regional divides.

Rents stay manageable in Iredell

With a rent-to-income ratio of 18%, Iredell County exceeds the national affordability threshold of 30%, meaning renters spend a reasonable share of earnings on housing. Median home values of $292,300 align well with local incomes, supporting sustainable homeownership.

Build on Iredell's strong foundation

Iredell's above-average incomes create prime opportunity for wealth building through diversified investments, retirement savings, and property ownership. With median home values at $292,300 and stable earning power, residents should prioritize emergency funds and long-term financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Iredell County

via HealthByCounty

Living longer than most Americans

Iredell residents enjoy a life expectancy of 76.5 years, nearly two years above the U.S. average of 74.6 years. Only 16% of the county reports poor or fair health, a sign that most residents experience good health outcomes in their daily lives.

Outpacing North Carolina

At 76.5 years, Iredell's life expectancy tops the state average by 2.1 years. The county ranks among the healthier regions in North Carolina, reflecting stronger access to preventive care and lower rates of chronic disease.

Healthiest in the region

Iredell leads nearby counties with a life expectancy of 76.5 years, beating Lincoln County (76.2) and Jackson County (76.3). The county also maintains the lowest poor/fair health rate at 16% among its closest neighbors.

Good access to doctors and mental health

Only 9.9% of Iredell residents lack health insurance, better than the state average of 12.5%. The county supports 68 primary care providers and 262 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, ensuring most people can find a doctor when they need one.

Keep coverage strong

With nearly 1 in 10 Iredell residents uninsured, there's room to expand coverage. Explore your options on the Health Insurance Marketplace or contact local community health centers to find affordable plans.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Iredell County

via RiskByCounty

Iredell's risk sits above the U.S. average

Iredell County scores 80.79 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category but notably higher than the national average. This means residents face greater exposure to multiple natural hazards than the typical American county, driven primarily by flood and tornado threats.

A moderate hazard profile for North Carolina

Iredell ranks above the state average of 66.72, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk. The county's 80.79 score reflects above-average flood and tornado exposure relative to its peers across the state.

Iredell faces similar risks to nearby Lincoln

Iredell's composite score of 80.79 is closely aligned with Lincoln County (73.76), though Iredell carries noticeably higher flood risk at 86.64 versus Lincoln's 83.24. Both counties share elevated tornado risk, making them part of a cohesive regional hazard pattern in the Piedmont.

Floods and tornadoes dominate Iredell's hazards

Flood risk scores highest at 86.64, followed by tornado risk at 85.88—both well above the state average—making these dual threats the primary concern for residents. Earthquake risk registers at 79.77, while wildfire remains the lowest threat at 43.26, offering some regional relief in that category.

Prioritize flood and wind coverage now

Given Iredell's elevated flood and tornado exposure, comprehensive homeowners insurance that includes flood coverage and wind damage protection is essential. Review your policy's limits and deductibles annually, and consider bundling coverage to reduce premiums while maximizing protection.

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.