Johnston County's composite score of 70.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, signaling above-average livability across measured factors. This performance places Johnston in the favorable range compared to most U.S. counties.
2 / 5
Performing Close to State Average
Johnston's 70.9 score sits just slightly below the North Carolina state average of 72.7, keeping it in the middle tier among the state's 100 counties. The county represents solid, mainstream livability for the region.
3 / 5
Strong Incomes and Controlled Tax Burden
Johnston's income score of 35.5 supports a median household income of $79,838, placing residents in the upper-middle earning range. The tax score of 82.9 reflects an effective tax rate of 0.688%, offering reasonable fiscal relief without extreme cuts.
4 / 5
Housing Costs Moderate, Schools Unknown
While cost affordability at 70.7 is respectable, median rent of $1,007/month and home values of $267,600 push toward the higher end of the dataset. Critical data gaps on schools, safety, and health prevent fuller evaluation of family-oriented livability.
5 / 5
Sweet Spot for Working Families
Johnston best suits working families with moderate-to-good incomes seeking balanced taxes and steady housing markets. The county's middle-ground profile appeals to those wanting security and stability without extremes in affordability or wealth concentration.
Johnston County's composite score of 70.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, signaling above-average livability across measured factors. This performance places Johnston in the favorable range compared to most U.S. counties.
Performing Close to State Average
Johnston's 70.9 score sits just slightly below the North Carolina state average of 72.7, keeping it in the middle tier among the state's 100 counties. The county represents solid, mainstream livability for the region.
Strong Incomes and Controlled Tax Burden
Johnston's income score of 35.5 supports a median household income of $79,838, placing residents in the upper-middle earning range. The tax score of 82.9 reflects an effective tax rate of 0.688%, offering reasonable fiscal relief without extreme cuts.
Housing Costs Moderate, Schools Unknown
While cost affordability at 70.7 is respectable, median rent of $1,007/month and home values of $267,600 push toward the higher end of the dataset. Critical data gaps on schools, safety, and health prevent fuller evaluation of family-oriented livability.
Sweet Spot for Working Families
Johnston best suits working families with moderate-to-good incomes seeking balanced taxes and steady housing markets. The county's middle-ground profile appeals to those wanting security and stability without extremes in affordability or wealth concentration.
Score breakdown
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🏛82.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.688%, Johnston County's effective tax rate slightly exceeds the national median of 0.87% percentile-wise but falls below the top-tax states. Homeowners pay a median $1,840 annually—30% below the national median of $2,690—despite relatively affordable median home values of $267,600.
Johnston ranks in North Carolina's middle tier
Johnston's effective rate of 0.688% sits just below North Carolina's 0.701% average, placing the county near the state's midpoint. Annual property taxes average $1,840, exceeding the state median of $1,433 by about $407 per household.
Johnston moderately positioned regionally
Johnston's 0.688% rate falls between Iredell County (0.630%) and Lee County (0.798%) in the Piedmont, making it a moderate-tax choice. At $1,840 annually, Johnston homeowners pay more than Iredell neighbors but less than Lee County residents with comparable home values.
Johnston homeowners expect steady bills
The median Johnston home valued at $267,600 generates an annual property tax of $1,840. With mortgage considerations, some households face bills near $1,990, though exemptions and individual assessments can adjust this figure.
Johnston residents should challenge overvaluation
Many Johnston County homeowners likely overpay due to inflated assessed values. Submitting a tax appeal to the assessor's office with recent appraisals or comparable sales data could substantially lower your annual bill.
Johnston renters spend just 15.1% of income on housing—well below the national median of 18.6%—making it one of North Carolina's most affordable rental markets. Strong median incomes of $79,838 significantly exceed the national average of $74,755, giving residents substantial financial flexibility.
Johnston's affordability ranks among the best statewide
At 15.1%, Johnston's rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 18.6% by a meaningful margin, placing it in the upper tier of North Carolina's most affordable counties. This advantage stems from both reasonable rents of $1,007 and strong household incomes that outpace state norms.
Johnston outaffordability its regional peers significantly
Johnston's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio decisively beats Iredell County (18.0%) and Lee County (18.3%), and it towers over higher-burden counties like Jackson (19.2%). The combination of solid incomes and moderate rents gives Johnston residents the region's widest financial cushion.
Balanced income supports both renting and owning
Johnston renters allocate $1,007 monthly to housing while homeowners with mortgages pay $1,276, yet both remain manageable on a median income of $79,838. This flexibility—along with a median home value of $267,600—allows households to choose renting or buying without severe financial strain.
Johnston combines opportunity with financial ease
If affordability and income stability matter equally, Johnston delivers both: strong job markets, reasonable housing costs, and household incomes that leave breathing room after paying rent or mortgage. Relocating here means enjoying one of the state's best rent-to-income ratios while maintaining solid earning potential.
Johnston County's median household income of $79,838 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $5,083, placing it solidly in the upper-income quartile nationally. This 7% advantage reflects robust local economic activity and employment diversity.
Among North Carolina's highest-income counties
Johnston County's $79,838 median income rises 31% above North Carolina's state average of $61,072, positioning it among the state's most prosperous counties. Per capita income of $36,673 trails the state slightly but reflects strong household earnings relative to individual income.
Johnston edges out Iredell and Lincoln
Johnston County's $79,838 median income barely edges Iredell County ($78,678) and Lincoln County ($78,490), forming a high-income corridor across central and north-central North Carolina. Together, these three counties represent the state's strongest earnings base.
Excellent affordability metrics in Johnston
Johnston County's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's best, indicating strong housing affordability relative to local earnings. Median home values of $267,600 align well with household incomes, supporting both renter and owner stability.
Capitalize on Johnston's income advantage
Johnston County residents enjoy one of North Carolina's strongest income foundations, positioning them well for wealth accumulation through diversified investments and real estate appreciation. Tax-advantaged retirement accounts and property ownership should anchor long-term financial strategies.
Johnston County residents live to an average of 76.5 years, nearly two years longer than the U.S. average of 74.6 years. Yet 18% report poor or fair health, the highest rate among its peer group and a signal of gaps in preventive care.
Living longer, but not healthier
At 76.5 years, Johnston's life expectancy matches the state's top performers and exceeds North Carolina's average by 2.1 years. Still, the county's 18% poor/fair health rate ranks above the state median, pointing to chronic disease management challenges.
Longest life, poorest daily health
Johnston ties Iredell at 76.5 years of life expectancy but leads neighbors in poor/fair health reports at 18%. This paradox suggests that while residents live long lives, many experience significant health challenges during those years.
Uninsured rate near state average; limited providers
Johnston's uninsured rate of 12.7% sits just above the state average of 12.5%, affecting roughly 1 in 8 residents. The county has just 27 primary care providers per 100,000—well below the state standard—and only 114 mental health providers per 100,000, creating access bottlenecks.
Find care where it's scarce
With limited primary care capacity, Johnston residents should prioritize securing insurance coverage now. Use the Health Insurance Marketplace to compare plans, and ask about telehealth options to overcome geographic provider shortages.
Johnston County faces Relatively Moderate risk nationally
Johnston County's composite score of 85.56 places it in the Relatively Moderate category, well above both the national and state averages. This elevated exposure spans tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes, making Johnston one of North Carolina's higher-risk counties overall.
Johnston ranks among North Carolina's riskiest
At 85.56, Johnston's composite score significantly exceeds the state average of 66.72, positioning it as one of the highest-risk counties in North Carolina. The Relatively Moderate rating reflects serious multi-hazard exposure that demands proactive preparedness.
Johnston faces notably higher risks than surrounding counties
Johnston's 85.56 score substantially exceeds neighboring Lee County (67.49) and Lincoln County (73.76), making it the riskiest county in its immediate region. The gap is driven by Johnston's extreme tornado risk of 93.64 and elevated hurricane exposure at 86.32.
Tornadoes and hurricanes drive Johnston's high risk
Tornado risk reaches 93.64 in Johnston—the highest hazard score county-wide—while hurricane risk climbs to 86.32, both far exceeding state norms. Flood risk also ranks high at 87.09, creating a trio of water and wind threats that dominate the county's hazard profile.
Multi-hazard coverage is non-negotiable in Johnston
Johnston residents must carry comprehensive homeowners insurance that includes flood, wind, and hail protection to address the county's severe tornado and hurricane exposure. Review your coverage limits before storm season, identify a safe shelter space in your home, and maintain a current emergency action plan.