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Lenoir County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#74 in North Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
38.1
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 59.6Weather & Climate 57.2

County Report Card

About Lenoir County, North Carolina

Significant Gap Below National Median

Lenoir County’s composite score of 38.1 is well behind the national median of 50.0. This rating reflects a combination of economic and health challenges that impact the overall ranking.

Trailing the North Carolina Average

Lenoir County underperforms the state average of 44.7, posting a score of 38.1. It ranks lower than many of its Eastern North Carolina peers in the majority of categories.

Excellent Water and Low Entry Costs

The county’s standout feature is its water score of 86.0, indicating high quality and availability. Housing is also quite affordable with a cost score of 59.6 and a median home value of just $111,400.

Severe Economic and Health Hurdles

The income score is critically low at 7.1, with a median household income of $44,795. Health and school scores also lag significantly, coming in at 19.8 and 24.1 respectively.

Suitable for Low-Cost Living

Lenoir County is best for individuals prioritizing rock-bottom housing prices and high-quality water infrastructure. It is a viable option for those with outside income sources who want to minimize their cost of living.

Score breakdown

Tax46.2Cost59.6Safety37Health19.8Schools24.1Income7.1Risk15.4Water86Weather57.2
🏛46.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡37
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤19.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓24.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡15.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤57.2
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨26.7
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱24
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Lenoir County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lenoir County

via TaxByCounty

Lenoir County has the state's steepest taxes

Lenoir County's effective tax rate of 0.884% is the highest in North Carolina and significantly exceeds the national median. The median property tax is $985 annually, modest only because median home values are exceptionally low at $111,400—60% below the national average.

Lenoir leads the state in tax rates

At 0.884%, Lenoir County's effective rate stands 26% above the state average of 0.701%, making it unquestionably North Carolina's most heavily taxed county. The median annual tax of $985 falls below state median due to depressed property values rather than favorable rates.

Lenoir far exceeds neighboring tax burdens

Lenoir's 0.884% rate dramatically outpaces all regional neighbors, including Jones County (0.755%) and Jackson County (0.369%). On a rate basis, Lenoir residents bear the region's most substantial tax burden by a considerable margin.

Lenoir residents carry the heaviest burden

A median Lenoir County home valued at $111,400 carries an annual property tax of $985. With mortgage-related assessments, bills can exceed $1,179, representing the state's highest effective tax rate applied to already-modest property values.

Lenoir homeowners must challenge overassessment

Lenoir County residents should urgently review their property assessments given the county's extraordinarily high tax rate. Filing an appeal with the county assessor and providing market analysis could yield meaningful relief—essential action for households in the state's most heavily taxed county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lenoir County

via CostByCounty

Lenoir's affordability crisis far exceeds the nation

Lenoir County renters spend 21.8% of income on housing—substantially above the national median of 18.6%—creating a severe affordability crisis despite rents of just $814. With the state's lowest median household income at $44,795, residents here face the tightest housing squeeze across North Carolina.

Lenoir ranks as the state's least affordable county

Lenoir's 21.8% rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds the state average of 18.6%, making it North Carolina's most burdened county for renters. The combination of the lowest incomes statewide and above-average rents creates an affordability emergency here.

Lenoir struggles far more than surrounding counties

Lenoir's 21.8% rent-to-income ratio sharply exceeds nearby Jones County (15.6%), Jackson County (19.2%), and Macon County (17.8%), reflecting the county's income disadvantage. No nearby county faces comparable affordability pressure.

Low income pushes housing to crushing levels

Lenoir renters pay $814 monthly while homeowners pay $758, but the crisis emerges at the income level: with a median of just $44,795, these costs consume nearly 22% of household budgets. Even median home values of $111,400 feel unaffordable when local incomes lag so far behind regional norms.

Avoid Lenoir unless income is secure elsewhere

Lenoir's low housing costs mask a deeper affordability crisis: median incomes are too low to sustain comfortable living, even at cheap rents. Consider relocating here only if you bring remote work income or pension benefits—local job opportunities don't offer the wages needed to thrive.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lenoir County

via IncomeByCounty

Lenoir County faces significant income gap

Lenoir County's median household income of $44,795 trails the national median of $74,755 by $29,960, placing it in the nation's bottom 15%. This 40% shortfall reflects severe economic challenges and limited local employment opportunities.

Among North Carolina's poorest counties

Lenoir County's $44,795 median income runs 27% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072, marking it as one of the state's most economically vulnerable counties. Per capita income of $28,409 trails the state average of $33,920 by 16%, indicating concentrated poverty.

Lenoir County's income crisis stands out

Lenoir County's $44,795 median income falls behind all nearby counties, with the largest gap to Johnston County ($79,838) exceeding $35,000. Even lower-tier neighbors like Jones County ($55,659) earn $10,800 more per household.

Housing costs strain already-tight budgets

Lenoir County's 21.8% rent-to-income ratio represents the state's highest, indicating serious housing affordability stress for renters and homebuyers alike. Median home values of $111,400 provide minimal equity-building potential, trapping residents in a cycle of limited wealth accumulation.

Lenoir County: financial resilience first

Lenoir County residents must prioritize emergency funds and debt elimination before pursuing investments, given severe income constraints. Local nonprofits, government programs, and matched savings accounts offer essential resources for building foundational financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lenoir County

via CrimeByCounty

Lenoir County Secure Against National Trends

Lenoir County holds a safety score of 97.7, signaling a very high level of security for its population. Its total crime rate of 1,456.3 per 100,000 is nearly 40% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Outpacing North Carolina Safety Norms

Lenoir's safety score exceeds the North Carolina average of 96.8, positioning it as a safer alternative within the state. The total crime rate is nearly 30% lower than the state average of 2,050.0.

A Leader in Eastern North Carolina

Lenoir County performs better than many eastern North Carolina peers, reporting a violent crime rate of 259.7. This is significantly lower than the state average of 330.7 and the national average of 369.8.

Lower Than Average Incident Rates

Property crime accounts for 1,196.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is quite low compared to the national average of 2,015.7. This means property theft is the main issue but happens far less often than elsewhere.

Community Vigilance Keeps Lenoir Safe

High safety scores are best maintained through community vigilance and home security. Investing in a basic home alarm system can provide peace of mind and help keep local crime rates low.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Lenoir County

via HealthByCounty

County faces severe health crisis

Lenoir County residents have a life expectancy of just 70.9 years—nearly 3.7 years below the U.S. average of 74.6 years. A striking 23.3% report poor or fair health, one of the highest rates in the nation and evidence of deep-rooted public health failures.

Worst health outcomes in North Carolina

At 70.9 years, Lenoir County's life expectancy ranks among the lowest in North Carolina, trailing the state average of 74.4 years by 3.5 years. With nearly 1 in 4 residents reporting poor or fair health, the county faces a crisis comparable to some of the nation's most distressed regions.

Clear crisis compared to neighbors

Lenoir's 70.9-year life expectancy falls dramatically short of every neighboring county, including Lee (73.8) and Jones (72.4). At 23.3% poor/fair health, Lenoir faces health challenges more severe than any peer in the region.

Uninsured near state average; provider shortage

At 12.9% uninsured, Lenoir sits slightly above the state average, but provider access remains tight with just 57 primary care providers per 100,000. Mental health resources at 177 per 100,000 fall below regional medians, limiting treatment options for residents battling chronic conditions.

Emergency: get covered and get help

Lenoir County faces a public health emergency requiring immediate action on insurance and preventive care. Contact 2-1-1, visit Healthcare.gov, and seek out community health centers now—access to care can be life-changing in this county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Lenoir County

via SchoolsByCounty

Community-focused education in Lenoir County

Lenoir County operates 18 public schools, accommodating 8,489 students across two districts. The school levels are evenly distributed with 10 elementary, three middle, and four high schools. This structure provides a traditional educational path for students from early childhood through graduation.

Academic metrics near the national median

The graduation rate in Lenoir County stands at 85%, which is slightly lower than the state's 88% average. The county’s composite school score of 49.6 nearly reaches the national median of 50.0. Investment sits at $6,406 per pupil, reflecting a focus on core educational delivery within state funding constraints.

Public schools serve the vast majority

Lenoir County Public Schools is the dominant provider, managing 17 schools and 8,334 students. Children's Village Academy represents the county's single charter option, serving 155 students in a specialized setting. This centralized district model ensures that most students benefit from a consistent county-wide curriculum.

A split between town and country

The school landscape is perfectly split between nine town schools and nine rural schools. North Lenoir High is the largest institution with 975 students, contributing to an overall average school size of 472. This creates an environment where schools are large enough for variety but small enough for local familiarity.

A welcoming community for young students

For families looking for a balance of town life and rural quiet, Lenoir County offers varied school settings. The manageable school sizes and community-centric districts are key considerations for local homebuyers. Explore properties in Kinston or near the high schools to find your ideal neighborhood.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lenoir County

via RiskByCounty

Lenoir County faces Relatively Moderate national risk

Lenoir County's composite score of 84.61 places it in the Relatively Moderate category, well above the national average and among the highest-risk counties examined. The score is driven by extreme hurricane and tornado exposure that dominate the county's natural hazard profile.

Lenoir ranks among North Carolina's riskiest counties

At 84.61, Lenoir County's composite score substantially exceeds the state average of 66.72, placing it in the upper tier of North Carolina's most hazard-prone counties. Only Johnston County (85.56) surpasses it in overall risk within this dataset.

Lenoir far exceeds the risk of neighboring Lee

Lenoir (84.61) carries dramatically higher risk than adjacent Lee County (67.49), driven by Lenoir's hurricane score of 94.91 and tornado score of 86.45. The 17-point gap makes Lenoir one of the region's most hazard-exposed areas.

Hurricanes and tornadoes threaten Lenoir residents

Hurricane risk stands at an extreme 94.91, while tornado risk reaches 86.45, creating dual wind-driven threats that dominate Lenoir's hazard landscape. Flood risk adds further vulnerability at 79.13, though wildfire remains relatively low at 33.68.

Comprehensive wind and flood insurance is essential

Lenoir residents must secure homeowners insurance that covers both hurricane wind damage and flood risk, with adequate limits to protect your property. Establish a family emergency plan before hurricane season, identify your safe room, and keep critical documents in a waterproof, portable container.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lenoir County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm Southern Climate Profile

Lenoir County maintains a 62.4°F annual average temperature, placing it nearly ten degrees above the national median. This humid subtropical climate is characterized by significant warmth and abundant moisture year-round.

Warmer Than the State Average

The county's average temperature of 62.4°F sits well above the North Carolina state average of 59.3°F. It represents one of the warmer agricultural hubs in the coastal plain region.

Comparison with Eastern Neighbors

Lenoir is noticeably warmer than Martin County to its north, which averages 61.4°F. Both counties share high annual precipitation levels, with Lenoir receiving 52.9 inches compared to the state average of 51.5 inches.

Intense Summers and Mild Winters

Summer heat dominates the landscape with an average of 53 days reaching 90°F or higher. Conversely, winters are exceptionally mild with an average annual snowfall of only 0.7 inches.

Prepare for Humidity and Heat

Homeowners should invest in high-capacity HVAC systems to manage the 80.4°F July averages. The heavy 52.9 inches of annual rain also necessitates robust gutter systems and proper site drainage.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lenoir County

via SoilByCounty

Defined by Acidic Sand

Lenoir County features highly acidic soil with a pH of 4.78 and a dominant texture of sand. This pH level is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5, signaling a need for lime in most agricultural settings.

Loose, Rapid-Draining Sandy Earth

The soil is remarkably sandy at 68.8%, with clay making up less than 10% of the profile. This creates a very loose, workable earth that drains exceptionally fast but struggles to hold onto water and fertilizers.

Moderate Fertility and Water Store

Organic matter stands at 3.92%, which is respectable compared to the 2.0% national average but lower than the state's 5.12%. The available water capacity of 0.126 in/in is slightly below the state average of 0.134 in/in.

Natural Aeration for Deep Roots

While specific drainage class data is unavailable, the 68.8% sand content naturally promotes quick water movement. This prevents puddling but means plants may require supplemental water during dry spells.

Root Vegetables Love Zone 8a

Zone 8a is ideal for heat-loving crops like sweet potatoes and peppers. The sandy soil is particularly well-suited for root vegetables, which can expand easily in the loose, uncompacted ground.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lenoir County

via LawnByCounty

Steep Challenges for Lenoir Lawns

Lenoir County is a difficult place for a lush lawn, scoring only 24.0 on the ease scale compared to the national average of 50.0. The 8a zone here features intense summers that can quickly brown out unprepared turf.

Persistent Heat and High Demand

The county faces 53 days of extreme heat annually and has a massive 5,297 growing degree days. This high activity level for grass requires constant attention, even with 52.9 inches of annual precipitation to help cool things down.

Sandy Foundations and High Acidity

Local soil is classified as sand, with a 68.8% sand content that provides very little moisture retention. A pH of 4.78 is extremely acidic, meaning you must stay on top of lime applications to keep your grass from failing.

Battling a Year of Drought

Lenoir has endured 34 weeks of drought over the past year, and the entire county is currently under severe drought conditions. Using drought-tolerant species and reducing foot traffic during dry spells is essential for lawn survival.

Choose Resilient Centipedegrass

Centipedegrass is the best bet for Lenoir’s 4.78 pH soil, as it tolerates acidity better than most species. Wait until after the April 1 frost date to begin establishment, giving the lawn time to settle before the summer heat hits.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lenoir County's county score?
Lenoir County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 38.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Lenoir County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Lenoir County ranks #74 among all counties in North Carolina on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Lenoir County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Lenoir County is $985, with an effective tax rate of 0.88%. This earns Lenoir County a tax score of 46.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lenoir County?
The median household income in Lenoir County, North Carolina is $44,795 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lenoir County earns an income score of 7.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lenoir County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Lenoir County scores 38.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #74 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Lenoir County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Lenoir County with other counties side by side.

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.