Lee Scores Well Above National Livability Baseline
Lee County's composite score of 70.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 41%, indicating above-average livability. This performance reflects solid fundamentals across tax and housing dimensions compared to most U.S. counties.
2 / 5
Slightly Below North Carolina State Average
Lee's 70.7 score trails the state average of 72.7 by 2 points, placing it in the lower-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. The county delivers respectable livability though not among the state's top performers.
3 / 5
Reasonable Taxes and Moderate Housing Costs
Lee's tax score of 79.8 reflects a 0.798% effective tax rate, offering reasonable fiscal relief for residents. Cost affordability at 75.4 supports a median home value of $213,800 and median rent of $962/month, balancing accessibility with stability.
4 / 5
Income Growth Below State and County Averages
Lee's income score of just 24.6 corresponds to a median household income of $63,060, significantly trailing comparable counties in this dataset. Gaps in health, safety, school, and environmental data limit the complete livability picture.
5 / 5
Suited for Stable, Moderate-Income Residents
Lee County appeals to households seeking balanced affordability and moderate tax burdens on typical incomes. The county's profile works well for those prioritizing steady, predictable costs over rapid income growth or premium amenities.
Lee Scores Well Above National Livability Baseline
Lee County's composite score of 70.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 41%, indicating above-average livability. This performance reflects solid fundamentals across tax and housing dimensions compared to most U.S. counties.
Slightly Below North Carolina State Average
Lee's 70.7 score trails the state average of 72.7 by 2 points, placing it in the lower-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. The county delivers respectable livability though not among the state's top performers.
Reasonable Taxes and Moderate Housing Costs
Lee's tax score of 79.8 reflects a 0.798% effective tax rate, offering reasonable fiscal relief for residents. Cost affordability at 75.4 supports a median home value of $213,800 and median rent of $962/month, balancing accessibility with stability.
Income Growth Below State and County Averages
Lee's income score of just 24.6 corresponds to a median household income of $63,060, significantly trailing comparable counties in this dataset. Gaps in health, safety, school, and environmental data limit the complete livability picture.
Suited for Stable, Moderate-Income Residents
Lee County appeals to households seeking balanced affordability and moderate tax burdens on typical incomes. The county's profile works well for those prioritizing steady, predictable costs over rapid income growth or premium amenities.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Lee County's effective tax rate of 0.798% surpasses the national median and ranks in the upper tier for tax burden. Homeowners pay a median $1,707 annually, falling short of the national median of $2,690 only because median home values are significantly lower at $213,800.
Lee ranks among North Carolina's highest
At 0.798%, Lee County's effective rate exceeds the state average of 0.701% by about 0.1 percentage points, placing it in the upper fifth of North Carolina counties. Annual median taxes of $1,707 exceed the state median of $1,433 by roughly 19%.
Lee outpaces neighboring counties on taxes
Lee's 0.798% rate substantially exceeds regional peers including Jackson (0.369%) and Macon County (0.427%), making it the region's highest-taxing county. Lee homeowners pay $1,707 annually compared to Jackson's $938—an $769 difference on homes of similar value.
Lee homeowners carry significant tax burden
The median Lee County home valued at $213,800 generates an annual property tax of $1,707. With mortgage-related assessments, bills climb to $1,863, placing Lee County households among the state's highest tax payers on a rate basis.
Lee homeowners should prioritize appeals
Given Lee's elevated tax rate, careful assessment review is essential for homeowners seeking relief. If your home's assessed value appears high relative to recent sales or appraisals in your neighborhood, filing an appeal with the tax assessor could deliver substantial annual savings.
Lee County renters spend 18.3% of income on housing, nearly matching the national median of 18.6% despite a median household income of $63,060—below the national average of $74,755. This reflects a typical balance between modest local incomes and moderate regional rents.
Lee mirrors North Carolina's average affordability
Lee's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio aligns closely with the state average of 18.6%, making it a representative North Carolina county in terms of housing affordability. The $962 median rent sits slightly above state average, offset partially by slightly below-average incomes.
Lee falls in the middle of the regional pack
Lee's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio sits between more affordable neighbors like Johnston County (15.1%) and less affordable peers like Jackson County (19.2%). Its $962 median rent positions it as a moderate-cost option in the region.
Housing takes a typical share of Lee's budgets
Lee renters dedicate $962 monthly to housing while homeowners pay $1,027 on a median income of $63,060, with median home values of $213,800. Together, these figures show housing claims roughly 18% of the typical household budget—a fairly standard burden.
Lee offers middle-ground affordability and stability
If you're seeking a county with moderate housing costs and balanced affordability—neither the most expensive nor cheapest in North Carolina—Lee delivers steady, predictable economics. It's an ideal choice for families valuing stability over extreme affordability savings.
Lee County's median household income of $63,060 falls $11,695 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle quartile nationally. This 16% gap reflects moderate economic challenges within a mixed employment landscape.
Lee County hovers near state median income
Lee County's $63,060 median income sits 3% above North Carolina's state average of $61,072, indicating moderate earning power within the state. Per capita income of $31,394 slightly trails the state average of $33,920, suggesting some reliance on household-level earnings concentration.
Lee County ranks mid-pack regionally
Lee County's $63,060 median income sits between Jackson County ($53,479) and Iredell County ($78,678), reflecting middle-ground status in the state's income hierarchy. It outearn lower-tier counties but trails the state's top earners by over $15,000.
Moderate housing affordability in Lee County
Lee County's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the ideal threshold, indicating moderate housing stress relative to median earnings. Median home values of $213,800 remain accessible but require careful financial planning relative to local incomes.
Build stability through consistent saving
Lee County residents with moderate incomes benefit from disciplined saving regimens and employer-sponsored retirement plans to build wealth over time. Even small monthly contributions to diversified portfolios compound meaningfully across decades.
Lee County residents live to an average of 73.8 years, about 0.8 years below the U.S. average of 74.6 years. One in five residents (20.5%) report poor or fair health, indicating widespread chronic disease and health inequities.
Struggling below state averages
Lee's life expectancy of 73.8 years falls 0.6 years short of North Carolina's 74.4-year average. The county's 20.5% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's most concerning, suggesting serious gaps in disease prevention and management.
Healthier than Lenoir, worse than most
Lee County's 73.8-year life expectancy edges out Lenoir County (70.9) but trails Jackson, Johnston, and Iredell counties. At 20.5% reporting poor or fair health, Lee sits in the lower tier of regional health outcomes.
Above-average uninsured; stretched providers
Lee's uninsured rate of 13.8% exceeds the state average of 12.5%, affecting roughly 1 in 7 residents. The county operates with 52 primary care providers and 218 mental health providers per 100,000, offering moderate but not robust coverage.
Secure insurance to manage health
With high rates of poor health and above-average uninsured numbers, Lee County residents need accessible coverage. Explore marketplace plans, ask about Medicaid expansion eligibility, and connect with community health centers for affordable care.
Lee County's risk is slightly above the U.S. average
Lee County scores 67.49 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and marginally above the national average. The score reflects balanced exposure across tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods, without extreme concentration in any single hazard.
Lee ranks just above the North Carolina average
At 67.49, Lee County's composite score barely exceeds the state average of 66.72, positioning it as a fairly typical North Carolina county for natural disaster risk. This central positioning reflects mid-range exposure to multiple hazard types.
Lee sits between safer Jones and riskier Johnston
Lee County (67.49) falls between the lower-risk Jones County (64.50) and much higher-risk Johnston County (85.56), serving as a moderate benchmark for the region. Lee's tornado score of 81.49 and hurricane score of 84.77 are substantial but lower than Johnston's extremes.
Hurricanes and tornadoes are Lee's chief concerns
Hurricane risk reaches 84.77 and tornado risk climbs to 81.49, making wind-driven hazards the primary threat to Lee County residents. Flood risk also ranks notably at 71.69, while wildfire risk remains moderate at 54.33.
Wind and flood coverage should be your focus
Lee County residents need comprehensive homeowners insurance that explicitly covers wind damage and includes separate flood protection, given the county's elevated hurricane and tornado exposure. Review your policy before severe weather season and ensure your deductibles are manageable.