countyscore

Mitchell County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#1 in North Carolina
69.4
County Score
Safety 94Property Tax 82.4Cost of Living 76.3

County Report Card

About Mitchell County, North Carolina

A Top-Performing County

Mitchell County boasts an impressive composite score of 70.9, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This makes it one of the most livable rural counties in the United States.

Surpassing the State Average

The county is a premier performer in North Carolina, easily surpassing the state average of 44.7. It offers an exceptionally balanced lifestyle profile compared to its Piedmont and coastal peers.

Near-Perfect Safety and Value

Safety is the county's crowning achievement with a near-perfect score of 94.0. Tax efficiency (85.6) and affordability (80.2) also drive the ranking, with a low effective tax rate of 0.502%.

Scaling Income and Health

Like many mountain areas, the county faces lower scores in income (33.0) and health (47.5). Median household income sits at $58,089, suggesting the economy is still transitioning toward higher-wage sectors.

Ideal for Secure Families

Mitchell is a premier choice for those prioritizing safety and financial predictability. It offers a rare combination of total security and high housing affordability.

2040608010082.476.39447.55426.976.150.960.6Tax82.4Cost76.3Safety94Health47.5Schools54Income26.9Risk76.1Water50.9Weather60.669.4/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 below average

Mitchell County DNA

C-overall

How Mitchell County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Mitchell County excels in 4 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Safety (94/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Income (26.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.4+30.400000000000006
Cost
76.3+28.299999999999997
Safety
94+39
Health
47.5
Schools
54
Income
26.9-24.1
Risk
76.1+29.099999999999994
Water
50.9
Weather
60.6
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Mitchell County

Whether buying or refinancing in Mitchell County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$220,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$813/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$220,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,602/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Mitchell County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mitchell County

via TaxByCounty

Mitchell County taxes are exceptionally low

Mitchell County's effective tax rate of 0.502% ranks in the lowest 25% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,014 is less than 40% of the national median of $2,690.

Mitchell ranks among North Carolina's lowest

At 0.502%, Mitchell's effective rate trails the state average of 0.701% by a meaningful margin, placing it firmly in the most tax-friendly tier. Homeowners save $419 on median taxes compared to the state median of $1,433.

Western mountains share Mitchell's low rates

Mitchell's 0.502% rate clusters with McDowell County (0.517%) and Madison County (0.496%), creating a consistent low-tax zone in North Carolina's mountains. This region offers among the state's most affordable property tax environments.

On a Mitchell median home, your annual bill

A $202,100 home—Mitchell's median value—generates approximately $1,014 in annual property taxes. Adding mortgage-related fees raises the total to $1,142.

Low rates don't mean assessments are perfect

Even in low-tax counties, property assessments can contain errors or miss available exemptions that homeowners deserve. Mitchell County residents should request an assessment review from the county assessor at no cost.

Income & Jobs in Mitchell County

via IncomeByCounty

Mitchell earns below national average

Mitchell County's median household income of $58,089 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $16,666, placing it in the lower income category nationally. Like many rural mountain counties, Mitchell relies on limited economic sectors and faces structural income challenges.

Middle-income county for North Carolina

Mitchell County's $58,089 median household income trails the North Carolina state average of $61,072 by about $3,000, ranking it near the median of the state's 100 counties. Per capita income of $32,713 is slightly below state average, indicating moderate individual earning power.

Slightly above other Appalachian peers

Mitchell County earns $58,089, modestly outpacing McDowell County ($55,527) and Montgomery County ($55,849) while closely matching Madison County ($58,628). The county's position reflects a band of similarly-challenged rural mountain communities across the region.

Housing remains very affordable

Mitchell County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio is among the most favorable of all profiled counties, well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $202,100 is modest relative to the county median income, creating strong housing security for homeowners.

Maximize savings through low housing costs

Mitchell County residents benefit from below-average housing expenses, freeing up income for savings and investments compared to residents of expensive urban markets. Taking advantage of employer retirement plans and building a dedicated investment strategy can compound wealth significantly over a career.

Safety in Mitchell County

via CrimeByCounty

Mitchell County is exceptionally safe

With a total crime rate of only 40.0 per 100,000, Mitchell County is one of the safest places in the entire United States. This rate is a tiny fraction of the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a nearly perfect safety score of 99.9.

A safety leader in the Tar Heel State

Mitchell County's safety score of 99.9 far exceeds the North Carolina average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 40.0 is roughly 50 times lower than the statewide average of 2,050.0. It sets the gold standard for public safety in North Carolina.

Remarkable security compared to all peers

Mitchell County reports far fewer incidents than even its most rural neighbors. Three reporting agencies manage a very low volume of calls, reflecting a tight-knit community with minimal criminal activity. This makes it a standout for safety in the Appalachian region.

Zero reported violent crimes in 2022

The violent crime rate is 0.0 per 100,000, an incredible statistic compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also extremely low at 40.0 per 100,000, vs the national 2,015.7. Crime is practically non-existent in the reported data for this period.

Maintaining a peaceful community

While crime is exceptionally rare, continuing basic safety habits ensures the county stays this way. Locking doors and looking out for neighbors helps maintain the 99.9 safety score. Residents enjoy a level of security that is rare in modern American life.

Soil Quality in Mitchell County

via SoilByCounty

High-Quality Mountain Soil in Mitchell

Mitchell County boasts a high soil score of 42.4, well above the state average of 29.4. Its pH of 4.97 is typical for Appalachian forests, though much more acidic than the national 6.5 benchmark.

Balanced Loamy Fractions for Diverse Use

The soil contains a balanced 48.7% sand, 28.0% silt, and 16.4% clay. This versatile mix provides enough clay for nutrient retention while maintaining enough sand for proper drainage.

Top-Tier Organic Matter and Water Storage

The county features an impressive 10.34% organic matter, more than double the North Carolina average. Paired with a high available water capacity of 0.148 in/in, this is some of the most productive soil in the state.

Superior Moisture Management for Farms

While specific drainage class data is missing, the high available water capacity indicates a soil that stores water efficiently for plant use. The balanced texture suggests that it remains stable and well-drained even on steeper slopes.

Hardiness Zone 7a Gardening

With such high organic matter, Mitchell County is a dream for growing berries and mountain vegetables. Grab your shovel and start a garden to take advantage of this high-performing soil.

Lawn Care in Mitchell County

via LawnByCounty

Unique High-Elevation Lawn Care

Mitchell County has a lawn difficulty score of 39.6, placing it just below the state average of 40.8. In Hardiness Zone 7a, the high elevation creates a climate that is vastly different from the rest of the Piedmont or Coastal Plain.

Extreme Rainfall and Cool Summers

At 72.7 inches, Mitchell County receives far more annual precipitation than the state average of 51.6. Heat stress is rare with only one day over 90°F per year, meaning the primary challenge is managing excessive moisture and potential drainage issues.

Managing pH in Wet Mountain Soil

The soil pH is 4.97, which is quite acidic and requires lime to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. While drainage data is limited, the high sand content of 48.7% helps move that heavy 72-inch rainfall through the soil profile.

Unexpected Drought in a Rainforest Climate

Despite high annual rainfall, Mitchell experienced 25 weeks of drought last year and is currently 100% in severe drought. Even in this wet region, homeowners should monitor soil moisture during rare dry spells to prevent turf dormancy.

Cool-Season Grasses for the High Peaks

The cool climate is perfect for Fine Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass, which love the lack of summer heat. Because frost dates vary significantly with elevation in Mitchell, wait for sustained warming before seeding in the spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mitchell County's county score?
Mitchell County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 69.4 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 Mitchell County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Mitchell County ranks #1 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 Mitchell County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Mitchell County is $1,141, with an effective tax rate of 0.52%. This earns Mitchell County a tax score of 82.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mitchell County?
The median household income in Mitchell County, North Carolina is $57,602 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mitchell County earns an income score of 26.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mitchell County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Mitchell County scores 69.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #1 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Mitchell 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 Mitchell County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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