CountyScore

McDowell County

North Carolina · NC

#21 in North Carolina
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About McDowell County, North Carolina

McDowell County Ranks Well Above the National Norm

McDowell County posts a composite score of 78.3, nearly 57% higher than the national median of 50.0. This strong performance ranks the county among America's more livable places, with particularly robust fundamentals in tax and cost dimensions.

Among North Carolina's Best on Affordability

McDowell scores 78.3, exceeding North Carolina's state average of 72.7 by more than 5 points. The county ranks among the state's top performers, driven by exceptional strength in housing costs and tax burden metrics.

Taxes and Housing Costs Stand Out

McDowell combines a tax score of 87.7 (effective rate 0.517%) with a cost score of 86.0, reflecting median home values of $168,300 and monthly rent at $741. These dual advantages make it one of the most financially accessible counties in the region.

Modest Incomes and Limited Comprehensive Data

The income score of 19.6 corresponds to a median household income of $55,527, constraining earning potential for career-focused residents. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data are not yet available, limiting deeper insight into quality of life.

Perfect for Cost-Conscious Newcomers

McDowell County suits families and individuals prioritizing maximum affordability and minimal tax burden over high wages and urban services. The strong composite score signals genuine livability, though prospective residents should investigate local employment, schools, and healthcare independently.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.7Cost86SafetyComing SoonHealth60SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk40.8WaterComing Soon
🏛87.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡40.8
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 McDowell County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Jones County
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70.6
Median income: $68,259
Jerome County
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70.6
Median income: $69,338
Jefferson County
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70.6
Median income: $59,987

Deep Dives

McDowell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McDowell County

via TaxByCounty

McDowell ranks among America's lowest-tax counties

McDowell County's effective tax rate of 0.517% places it in the lowest 25% nationally. The median property tax of $871 is one-third the national median of $2,690, offering substantial tax savings.

McDowell is among North Carolina's bargains

At 0.517%, McDowell's effective rate falls well below the state average of 0.701%, ranking it in the lowest-tax tier statewide. The median tax bill of $871 saves homeowners $562 compared to the state median of $1,433.

Mountain region keeps taxes consistently low

McDowell's 0.517% rate mirrors Madison County (0.496%) and Mitchell County (0.502%) in the western mountain corridor. This cluster represents some of North Carolina's most tax-affordable areas.

On a median McDowell home, here's the bill

A $168,300 home—McDowell's median value—costs approximately $871 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with a mortgage face $1,033 when county fees are included.

Even low-tax counties have savings opportunities

Assessment inaccuracy affects all counties, including those with lower rates. McDowell homeowners should verify their assessments and explore available exemptions—the assessor's office can guide the appeal process at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McDowell County

via CostByCounty

McDowell keeps housing costs manageable

McDowell County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% sits comfortably below the national affordability strain threshold, with median rents of $741 and incomes of $55,527. Housing costs remain reasonable relative to earnings, giving households financial flexibility beyond shelter.

Among North Carolina's affordably-housed counties

At 16.0%, McDowell County's rent-to-income ratio sits meaningfully below the state average of 18.6%, placing it among North Carolina's most affordable markets. This advantage persists despite incomes running below both state and national medians.

McDowell anchors the affordable mountain belt

McDowell's $741 rent and $55,527 income put it in the sweet spot alongside Madison ($764, $58,628) and Mitchell ($744, $58,089), forming a cluster of genuinely affordable mountain counties. Martin County to the east has similarly cheap rents but much lower incomes, making the affordability situation tighter there.

Ownership is cheaper than renting here

McDowell presents an unusual advantage: median monthly ownership costs ($605) run $136 cheaper than median rent ($741), with homes valued at just $168,300. For households making $55,527 annually, homeownership consumes roughly 13% of income while renting takes 16%.

McDowell: where buying beats renting

If you're ready to build equity, McDowell County rewards homebuyers with monthly costs lower than rents and home values under $170,000. Compare this to Mecklenburg County, where the same income gets stretched across $1,506 monthly ownership costs—making McDowell's math far more favorable for first-time buyers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McDowell County

via IncomeByCounty

McDowell trails national income benchmark

McDowell County's median household income of $55,527 falls significantly below the U.S. median of $74,755, a gap of $19,228 or 26%. This income deficit is typical of Appalachian coal-region counties navigating post-industrial economic transitions.

Among North Carolina's lower-income counties

McDowell County's $55,527 median household income ranks below North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by $5,545. The per capita income of $29,555 is also below state average, positioning the county in the lower third of North Carolina's income distribution.

Slightly outearns Martin County only

McDowell County earns more than Martin County ($46,793) but trails most other neighboring counties, including Mitchell County ($58,089) and Madison County ($58,628). The county's historical dependence on coal mining creates income volatility and limited diversification.

Housing costs remain manageable

McDowell County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio demonstrates solid housing affordability relative to income, staying well below the 30% sustainability threshold. The median home value of $168,300 remains modestly priced, offering stability for homeowners despite modest incomes.

Diversify income sources strategically

McDowell County households earning $55,527 should explore dual-income strategies, side businesses, or remote work to supplement primary earnings. Building an emergency fund first—targeting 3-6 months of expenses—creates the foundation for safer long-term wealth investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McDowell County

via HealthByCounty

McDowell County's health at crossroads

At 74.3 years, McDowell County's life expectancy is nearly a full year below the U.S. average of 74.5 years, though still respectable for an Appalachian mining county. However, 23.2% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national 21% rate—revealing high rates of chronic disease like diabetes and heart disease.

Slightly below state average

McDowell County trails North Carolina's 74.4-year state average by just 0.1 years, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's health distribution. The county's 23.2% poor/fair health rate, however, ranks among the higher shares statewide, indicating significant unmet health needs.

Mixed results against peers

McDowell County's 74.3-year life expectancy exceeds neighboring Martin County's 71.1 years but trails Mitchell County's 74.1 years and Madison County's 74.7 years. Provider access is tight across all neighbors, but McDowell ties Madison with 212 mental health providers per 100K, offering stronger psychiatric support than Martin or Mitchell counties.

High uninsured, sparse providers

McDowell County's 13.6% uninsured rate is above the state average, leaving roughly 1 in 7 residents vulnerable to medical bankruptcy and delayed care. At just 34 primary care providers per 100K, the county ranks among the lowest in the state, forcing residents to drive hours for routine check-ups.

Get insured before crisis hits

More than 1 in 7 McDowell County residents lack health insurance, risking financial ruin from a single illness. Enroll in Medicaid or a marketplace plan at healthcare.gov—having coverage means catching problems early and avoiding the emergency room trap.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McDowell County

via RiskByCounty

McDowell County faces diverse mountain hazards

McDowell County scores 59.22 on the composite risk scale with a "Relatively Low" rating, sitting just below North Carolina's 66.72 state average. However, the county experiences elevated risk across multiple hazard types, including floods (72.49), earthquakes (61.83), and wildfires (59.35), reflecting its mountainous terrain and exposure to diverse natural threats.

Above-average risk for a western mountain county

McDowell County ranks in the upper-middle tier of North Carolina counties, with flood risk (72.49) among the state's highest due to steep terrain and river systems. Despite being a smaller, rural county, its hazard profile is more complex than many larger piedmont counties.

Riskier than Madison and Mitchell counties

McDowell County's 59.22 score significantly exceeds nearby Madison County (27.35) and Mitchell County (23.95), making it noticeably more hazardous despite shared mountain geography. The difference reflects McDowell's higher flood vulnerability and more diverse hazard exposure across its valleys and ridge systems.

Floods and wildfires dominate the risk profile

Flooding is McDowell County's primary hazard at 72.49, driven by steep mountainous terrain, heavy precipitation, and river systems that swell rapidly during storms. Wildfire risk (59.35) and earthquake risk (61.83) round out the county's top three threats, creating a compound hazard environment that demands multi-layered preparedness.

Prioritize flood and wildfire preparedness

McDowell County homeowners should verify they have flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly if located in or near flood-prone valleys and stream corridors. Combine this with defensible space around structures, regular gutter cleaning, and a home emergency kit to address flood, wildfire, and earthquake risks simultaneously.

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.