CountyScore

Jones County

North Carolina · NC

#43 in North Carolina
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Jones County, North Carolina

Jones Delivers Strong Value Over National Average

Jones County's composite score of 75.0 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 50%, reflecting solid livability across multiple dimensions. This performance places Jones among the more desirable counties nationally on measured factors.

Above Average for North Carolina

Jones ranks above the state average composite score of 72.7, positioning it in the upper half of North Carolina's 100 counties. The county demonstrates consistent strength in delivering livable conditions.

Unbeatable Affordability, Minimal Tax Burden

Jones offers extraordinary value with a cost score of 84.4: median rent of just $725/month and median home value of $122,600—the lowest in this dataset. Combined with an 81.0 tax score and 0.755% effective rate, Jones maximizes affordability for tight budgets.

Income Opportunities Remain Limited

Jones's income score of 19.7 reflects a median household income of $55,659, indicating modest earning potential. Missing data on schools, safety, and health adds uncertainty about whether income constraints reflect lack of opportunity or simply lower cost-of-living wages.

Perfect for Ultra-Budget-Conscious Residents

Jones County excels for retirees, part-time workers, and anyone prioritizing maximum affordability on limited means. The county's remarkably low housing costs and taxes make it an unmatched option for stretching modest paychecks or fixed incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81Cost84.4SafetyComing SoonHealth59.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.7Risk35.5WaterComing Soon
🏛81
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.5
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 Jones County with another county →

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Franklin County
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Deep Dives

Jones County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jones County

via TaxByCounty

Jones County has the state's highest rate

Jones County's effective tax rate of 0.755% exceeds the national median and ranks among the highest in North Carolina. Despite this elevated rate, the median property tax is only $926 annually because median home values are notably low at $122,600—58% below the national median.

Jones has North Carolina's steepest rates

At 0.755%, Jones County's effective tax rate stands 8% above the state average of 0.701%, ranking it among the top tier for tax burden in North Carolina. The median tax of $926 falls below state average due to lower property values, not lower rates.

Jones taxes exceed most regional peers

Jones County's 0.755% rate significantly outpaces neighbors Jackson (0.369%) and Lenoir County (0.884%), with only Lenoir taxing more heavily. Home values in Jones are the region's lowest, so the tax rate's true burden becomes clear when comparing similar-valued properties elsewhere.

Jones homeowners face high effective burden

A median Jones County home valued at $122,600 carries an annual property tax of $926. With mortgage-related assessments, bills can reach $1,109, representing a substantial rate burden even though the absolute dollar figure remains modest due to lower valuations.

Jones homeowners should contest assessments

Given Jones County's high effective rate, homeowners should carefully review their assessments for potential overvaluation. Filing an appeal with supporting documentation could yield meaningful relief, especially important in a county where rates are among the state's steepest.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jones County

via CostByCounty

Jones offers exceptional value on tight budgets

Jones County renters spend just 15.6% of income on housing—about 3 percentage points below the national median of 18.6%—thanks to some of the lowest rents in the state at $725 monthly. While median household income of $55,659 lags the national average, the ultra-low housing costs offset this income disadvantage.

Jones ranks among the state's most affordable counties

Jones's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio significantly beats the state average of 18.6%, placing it in North Carolina's affordability elite despite below-average incomes. The county's $725 median rent—the state's lowest—is the defining factor that makes housing costs manageable here.

Jones delivers the region's cheapest housing

Jones leads nearby counties with the lowest median rent of $725, beating Lenoir County ($814), Macon County ($791), and Jackson County ($855) by substantial margins. Even with lower incomes, this rent advantage gives Jones residents the region's easiest affordability picture.

Minimal housing costs stretch limited incomes

Jones renters pay just $725 monthly while homeowners pay $726, and with a median home value of only $122,600, housing is genuinely affordable across tenure types. On a median income of $55,659, these costs consume just 15.6% of income—among the lowest burdens in the state.

Jones maximizes affordability in rural North Carolina

If you're relocating on a modest budget or seeking maximum housing affordability, Jones County's $725 rents and $122,600 home values offer unmatched value. The tradeoff is rural character and potentially fewer job options, but for remote workers or retirees, the savings are substantial.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jones County

via IncomeByCounty

Jones County incomes fall significantly below national

Jones County's median household income of $55,659 trails the national median of $74,755 by $19,096, placing it in the bottom 25% nationally. This 26% shortfall reflects limited employment opportunities and a smaller tax base.

Among North Carolina's lower-income counties

Jones County's $55,659 median income runs 9% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072, indicating above-average economic stress. Per capita income of $28,699 falls 15% short of the state average, signaling limited wealth per resident.

Jones County struggles regionally

Jones County's $55,659 median income exceeds Lenoir County ($44,795) but falls well behind Jackson County ($53,479) and other surrounding areas. The gap to top earners like Johnston County ($79,838) exceeds $24,000, reflecting stark local disparities.

Affordable housing masks income challenges

Jones County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio appears strong, but the low denominator reflects modest household earnings, not abundant resources. Median home values of just $122,600 indicate limited equity-building potential compared to higher-income counties.

Every dollar counts in Jones County

Jones County residents must prioritize emergency savings and debt reduction before investing aggressively, given below-average incomes. Low-cost index funds and employer retirement matches offer accessible paths to long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jones County

via HealthByCounty

Serious health crisis in rural county

Jones County residents have a life expectancy of just 72.4 years—nearly 2.2 years below the U.S. average of 74.6 years. Nearly 22% report poor or fair health, more than double the national average, signaling a deep public health challenge.

Among state's worst health outcomes

At 72.4 years, Jones County's life expectancy trails North Carolina's 74.4-year average by two full years, placing it among the state's most vulnerable regions. With 21.8% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces compounding chronic disease burdens.

Struggling far worse than neighbors

Jones County's 72.4-year life expectancy lags every nearby county, including Lenoir (70.9 years) and Lee (73.8 years). At 21.8% poor/fair health, Jones faces the steepest health disparities in its region.

Sparse provider network; moderate coverage

Jones County's uninsured rate of 13.6% exceeds the state average, but the real crisis is provider access: only 43 mental health providers per 100,000—among the lowest statewide. Just 65 primary care providers per 100,000 serve a population struggling with serious chronic conditions.

Urgent: secure health coverage now

Jones County residents face a severe health crisis compounded by insurance gaps and scarce providers. Act now: visit Healthcare.gov, contact 2-1-1 for local navigation help, and ask rural health centers about sliding-scale services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jones County

via RiskByCounty

Jones County's risk is below the national norm

Jones County scores 64.50 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and below the national average. However, the county faces a concentrated hurricane threat that masks otherwise manageable risks in other hazard categories.

Jones ranks below the North Carolina average

At 64.50, Jones County's composite score falls slightly below the state average of 66.72, positioning it among North Carolina's lower-risk counties. This favorable profile is tempered by a singular, severe vulnerability to Atlantic hurricanes.

Jones is the safest county in its peer group

Jones County (64.50) ranks notably lower than neighboring Lenoir County (84.61) and Lee County (67.49), making it the relatively safest in the region. This advantage stems from dramatically lower flood, tornado, and earthquake risks, though hurricane exposure remains consistently high across all three.

Hurricanes dominate Jones County's hazard profile

Hurricane risk reaches 94.49 in Jones, towering above all other hazards and driving the county's overall exposure. By contrast, tornado risk sits at just 21.76, flood risk at 33.20, and earthquake risk at 32.03—all well below state and national averages.

Hurricane preparedness is your top priority

Jones residents should focus insurance and evacuation planning specifically on hurricane season, ensuring your policy covers wind damage and storm surge where applicable. Maintain a 30-day emergency kit, know your evacuation route, and stay informed through the National Hurricane Center during Atlantic storm season.

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.