CountyScore

Martin County

North Carolina · NC

#79 in North Carolina
64.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Martin County, North Carolina

Martin County Exceeds the National Livability Standard

Martin County achieves a composite score of 70.3, nearly 41% above the national median of 50.0. The score positions the county solidly in the upper range of livable U.S. communities despite some regional economic challenges.

Slightly Below North Carolina's County Average

Martin scores 70.3, just below the state average of 72.7, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of North Carolina's 100 counties. The modest gap reflects competitive performance in cost and tax dimensions that offset lower income levels.

Affordability and Tax Benefits Lead

Martin County offers exceptional affordability with median home values of just $109,900 and monthly rent at $729—among the state's lowest. A tax score of 72.2 and effective tax rate of 1.070% provide reasonable fiscal relief for households.

Income and Wage Growth Remain Limited

The county's income score of 13.9 reflects a median household income of $46,793, the lowest among these eight counties and notably below state norms. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable, preventing a comprehensive livability assessment.

A Value Play for Retirees and Remote Workers

Martin County appeals most to retirees on fixed incomes and remote workers seeking minimal cost of living without sacrificing reasonable livability. The ultra-low home prices and rents offset limited local wage opportunities, making it a refuge for those with independent income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.2Cost82.9SafetyComing SoonHealth58.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.9Risk34.6WaterComing Soon
🏛72.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.6
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 Martin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Highlands County
Florida
64.3
Median income: $55,581
Spalding County
Georgia
64.3
Median income: $60,217
Whitfield County
Georgia
64.3
Median income: $64,262
Comanche County
Kansas
64.3
Median income: $49,417
Harford County
Maryland
64.3
Median income: $111,317

Deep Dives

Martin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Martin County

via TaxByCounty

Martin County taxes rank among America's highest

Martin County's effective tax rate of 1.070% places it in the top 15% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Though the median property tax bill ($1,176) stays below the national median of $2,690, the effective rate tells a different story: Martin's homes are assessed at lower values.

Martin leads North Carolina in tax rates

At 1.070%, Martin County's effective rate is the highest in the state—53% above North Carolina's 0.701% average. This means Martin residents pay a steeper percentage of home value in taxes than virtually any other county in the state.

Martin stands apart in eastern NC

Martin's 1.070% rate dwarfs nearby Nash County (0.771%) and exceeds the statewide average by a wide margin. The difference reflects Martin's reliance on property tax revenue and distinct county fiscal priorities.

On Martin's median home, the annual tax

A $109,900 home—Martin's median value—generates $1,176 in annual property taxes at the current rate. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,361 when additional county fees are factored in.

Assessment appeals can yield real relief

Martin County homeowners facing the state's highest effective tax rate should review their assessments closely—errors and missed exemptions are prevalent. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and can uncover opportunities for reduction.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Martin County

via CostByCounty

Martin struggles with housing affordability nationally

Martin County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% slightly exceeds the national affordability strain point, and the burden falls on households earning just $46,793 annually. At $729 monthly rent, Martin residents spend a larger percentage of smaller paychecks on housing than the typical American household.

Martin ranks among North Carolina's most strained

With an 18.7% rent-to-income ratio, Martin County matches the state average of 18.6%, placing it at the edge of affordability stress for renters. The real squeeze comes from median household income ($46,793) that lags both the state and national figures, limiting housing options.

Eastern counties face similar pressures

Martin County's $729 rent mirrors nearby McDowell County's $741, but Martin's households earn significantly less ($46,793 vs. $55,527), creating sharper affordability pressure. Nash County to the west offers slightly higher incomes ($60,704) and similar rents ($924), suggesting a broader income challenge in the eastern region.

Income matters more than rent here

Martin County's median home value of just $109,900 offers affordable homeownership at $822 monthly, yet renters paying $729 still face strain on $46,793 annual income. The affordability challenge is fundamentally an income story: even modest rents consume nearly one-fifth of household earnings.

Martin County: lowest home values, tightest budgets

If you're relocating for rural living and low home prices, Martin's $109,900 median home value is unbeatable in the state. However, be realistic about income potential—you'll need stable, above-average earnings to avoid housing cost strain in this county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Martin County

via IncomeByCounty

Martin County significantly lags national income

Martin County's median household income of $46,793 ranks among the lowest in the nation, trailing the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $28,000 annually. This 37% income gap reflects the county's rural, economically challenged status within the broader American landscape.

Lowest earnings in North Carolina

Martin County ranks among the bottom counties in North Carolina by household income, earning $46,793 against the state average of $61,072—a shortfall of $14,279. The per capita income of $27,007 is also the lowest among the profiled counties, indicating widespread economic constraints.

Struggles most among peer counties

Martin County earns substantially less than every other county profiled, including McDowell County ($55,527) and Montgomery County ($55,849). The gap reflects deeper structural economic challenges in the county's labor market and job base.

Housing takes larger share of income

At an 18.7% rent-to-income ratio, Martin County still maintains reasonable housing affordability, though it's noticeably higher than wealthier counties. The median home value of $109,900 is the lowest among the eight counties, reflecting limited property appreciation and weaker overall wealth-building opportunities.

Prioritize income growth and skill-building

With median household income at $46,793, Martin County residents face tighter budgets and should prioritize career development and skill-building to increase earning potential. Even modest income improvements through education or job training can unlock significant savings capacity for emergency funds and long-term investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Martin County

via HealthByCounty

Martin County faces health gaps

Life expectancy in Martin County is 71.1 years, nearly 3.4 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years—a striking gap that reflects deeper health challenges. With 23.3% of residents in poor or fair health, the county sits above the national average of 21%, indicating widespread chronic illness and preventable disease.

Among lowest life expectancy in state

Martin County's 71.1-year life expectancy ranks it in the lower tier of North Carolina counties, trailing the state average by 3.3 years. This gap suggests that residents face compounding barriers—from healthcare access to economic opportunity—that impact how long people live.

Worst outcomes in this region

Martin County's 71.1-year life expectancy is notably lower than Nash County (73.5 years) and McDowell County (74.3 years), making it a health priority area. The county also struggles with primary care access at just 41 providers per 100K, the lowest ratio among its neighbors.

Underinsured and underserved

Martin County's 12.6% uninsured rate is near the state average, but the real challenge is provider scarcity: only 41 primary care doctors per 100K and 121 mental health providers per 100K leave many residents traveling far for care. This geographic and financial isolation makes routine treatment harder to access and affording it tougher without coverage.

Coverage can save your life

More than 1 in 8 Martin County residents lack health insurance, delaying care and driving up emergency room use. Check healthcare.gov or call your local health department to enroll in Medicaid or a marketplace plan—early detection prevents costly crises.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Martin County

via RiskByCounty

Martin County faces moderate coastal risks

Martin County scores 65.46 on the composite risk scale with a "Relatively Low" rating, tracking just below North Carolina's 66.72 state average. However, this modest score masks extreme vulnerability to hurricanes (92.41), which dominates the county's risk profile and reflects its exposed coastal location.

Mid-range risk within North Carolina

Martin County ranks in the middle tier of North Carolina's 100 counties by overall risk, but its hurricane vulnerability (92.41) places it among the state's most exposed coastal communities. The county's relatively balanced risk across other hazards keeps its composite score moderate, but hurricane preparedness remains critical.

Comparable to other eastern plains counties

Martin County's 65.46 composite risk aligns closely with Montgomery County (48.95) and other inland peers, but its hurricane score (92.41) far exceeds neighboring agricultural counties. This coastal-specific vulnerability makes Martin County distinct from its western and piedmont neighbors in terms of storm surge and wind exposure.

Hurricanes dominate; tornadoes secondary threat

Hurricane risk (92.41) is Martin County's overwhelming hazard, driven by Atlantic exposure and the county's low elevation and open terrain. Tornado risk (60.24) poses a secondary but meaningful threat, while flood risk (55.03) reflects both coastal storm surge potential and inland precipitation from tropical systems.

Hurricane insurance is non-negotiable here

Martin County residents must secure comprehensive hurricane and flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies typically exclude both wind and water damage from tropical storms. Retrofit your home with storm shutters, reinforce your roof, and maintain a 30-day emergency supply kit—hurricanes are not a matter of if, but when.

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.