CountyScore

Pamlico County

North Carolina · NC

#38 in North Carolina
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Pamlico County, North Carolina

Pamlico ranks among the nation's most livable

With a composite score of 75.0, Pamlico County significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0 and is the highest-scoring county among these eight, demonstrating true national competitiveness. This performance is driven by an unbeatable combination of low taxes (0.599% effective rate) and exceptional housing affordability.

Above North Carolina's state average

Pamlico's 75.0 score exceeds the state average of 72.7, ranking it in the upper tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. It's the only county in this group to surpass the state benchmark, signaling genuine livability strength.

Tax and housing affordability are exceptional

Pamlico's tax score of 85.4 and cost score of 80.0 are among the highest in the state, with median home values at $209,800 and rents just $909/month. This combination makes it one of North Carolina's best values for retirees and budget-conscious families.

Income growth remains constrained

The income score of 23.6 reflects median household earnings of $61,624, limiting opportunity for wealth-building and career advancement. Health, safety, school, and environmental data are not yet available, so the full livability picture remains incomplete.

Best-value haven for cost-conscious relocators

Pamlico is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum purchasing power with minimal tax burden. If you're relocating and want to stretch your nest egg as far as possible, Pamlico offers the strongest all-around value in this group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost80SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.6Risk27.6WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.6
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 Pamlico County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Rice County
Kansas
68.5
Median income: $63,947

Deep Dives

Pamlico County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pamlico County

via TaxByCounty

Pamlico below national tax average

Pamlico County's effective tax rate of 0.599% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.957%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,257 is less than half the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower home values of $209,800.

Among North Carolina's lowest rates

Pamlico's 0.599% effective rate ranks well below North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly counties. This favorable environment supports affordability for homeowners.

Competitive coastal tax position

Pamlico's 0.599% rate rivals New Hanover (0.587%) as one of the region's lowest, while remaining below Pender County (0.696%) and Onslow (0.652%). The county offers solid tax value among coastal alternatives.

About $1,257 on median home

On Pamlico's median home value of $209,800, the 0.599% rate translates to roughly $1,257 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay around $1,389, while those without pay approximately $1,149.

Don't assume assessments are correct

Even in favorable tax environments, property assessments can contain errors or overstate values. A periodic review of your assessment ensures you're not paying more than your fair share.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pamlico County

via CostByCounty

Pamlico punches above its weight on affordability

Pamlico County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average despite a median household income of $61,624—$13,131 below the national median—demonstrating that modest wages and genuinely low rents can create real housing relief. At $909 per month, Pamlico's median rent is one of the region's most accessible.

North Carolina's affordability sweet spot

Pamlico County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio sits below the state average of 18.6%, and its $909 median rent is nearly on par with the state median of $938, making it a genuinely affordable option statewide. This combination of below-average costs and below-state-average income ratios marks Pamlico as one of the region's safest bets for renters.

Moderate rents in a quiet eastern county

Pamlico's $909 median rent ranks second-most affordable after Northampton's $749, and it undercuts Perquimans ($1,061), Pasquotank ($1,146), and Onslow ($1,198) by meaningful margins. Unlike Northampton, Pamlico's median income of $61,624 sits higher than some peers, offering slightly more stability.

Renting and owning both reach affordably

Pamlico renters spend $909 monthly while homeowners pay $791—unusually favorable for buyers—on a median home value of $209,800, a smart opportunity for those seeking equity. Housing consumes roughly 18% of a $61,624 median income, leaving reasonable room for savings and other necessities.

Quiet county, strong housing value

Pamlico County delivers genuine affordability without the income sacrifice of Northampton, making it attractive for families seeking stability. If you work remotely or have portable income, Pamlico offers one of the region's best combinations of accessible rents and reasonable ownership costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pamlico County

via IncomeByCounty

Pamlico earns below national average

Pamlico County's median household income of $61,624 lags the national median of $74,755 by 17.5%, reflecting modest economic capacity. This positions Pamlico in the lower-middle income range nationally, typical of rural coastal counties.

Slightly edges North Carolina's average

Pamlico County's $61,624 median household income basically matches the state average of $61,072, placing it right at the median statewide. The county's economy relies heavily on fishing, agriculture, and small business, creating stable but limited income growth.

Middle of the pack among eastern peers

Pamlico's $61,624 income places it between Perquimans County ($61,224) and Pasquotank County ($63,912), making it representative of eastern North Carolina's coastal tier. New Hanover and Pender counties substantially outpace Pamlico, creating a clear coastal income gradient.

Housing among the most affordable in region

Pamlico County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio represents the region's best housing affordability, allowing households to dedicate minimal income to shelter. The median home value of $209,800 remains accessible for most working families, supporting homeownership.

Build stability through consistent saving habits

Pamlico households benefit from low housing costs, freeing up resources for emergency funds and retirement savings even at modest income levels. Small, regular contributions to savings accounts and employer retirement plans compound significantly over decades, creating long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pamlico County

via HealthByCounty

Pamlico's life expectancy lags both benchmarks

At 73.8 years, Pamlico County's life expectancy trails the national average by 2.6 years and falls 0.6 years below North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years. Nearly one in five residents (18.2%) report poor or fair health, above the national rate of 17.1%. These metrics place Pamlico among North Carolina's more challenged counties on health outcomes.

Pamlico ranks in the state's lower health tiers

Pamlico's life expectancy of 73.8 years sits below the North Carolina average, and its 18.2% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state median. The uninsured rate of 12.5% matches the state average exactly, suggesting that coverage gaps alone don't drive Pamlico's lower health outcomes. Access to and quality of healthcare services appear to be key limiting factors.

Rural isolation limits provider availability

With just 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Pamlico lacks the provider density to meet community health needs effectively. Mental health providers number only 121 per 100,000—among the state's lowest and one-sixth the capacity of leading counties like Orange (830 per 100K). Many residents must travel 45+ miles to access specialists or psychiatric care.

Rural healthcare desert creates daily barriers

Pamlico residents often wait weeks for primary care appointments and have virtually no local mental health services, forcing behavioral health needs to go unaddressed. The combination of limited providers and a health-challenged population creates a cycle where preventive care fails and acute care becomes the norm. Transportation to distant medical centers further complicates access.

Coverage is step one toward better health

If you're among Pamlico's 12.5% uninsured residents, health coverage is your first step toward accessing available care—and advocating for more. Visit ncdhhs.gov or call 211 to explore Medicaid or marketplace options. Covered residents can work with local health departments and federally qualified health centers to navigate the limited provider network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pamlico County

via RiskByCounty

Pamlico faces above-average disaster risk

Pamlico County's composite risk score of 72.36 and 'Relatively Low' rating sit above the national average, reflecting coastal exposure despite its small population. Hurricane vulnerability dominates the hazard profile.

Slightly above North Carolina average

Pamlico's 72.36 score edges above the state average of 66.72, placing it in the moderate-risk band for North Carolina counties. The county's coastal position creates hurricane exposure that outweighs lower wildfire and tornado threats.

Lower-risk than Pender, higher than Pasquotank

Pamlico County (72.36) sits between Pender County (86.93) to the south and Pasquotank County (58.68) to the north in overall risk ranking. Its unique hazard mix—high hurricane risk paired with substantial wildfire danger—sets it apart from neighbors.

Hurricanes and wildfire are key concerns

Pamlico's hurricane risk of 95.66 is among the highest in the state, with low-lying coastal areas facing storm surge and flooding. Wildfire risk of 77.96 creates secondary seasonal danger, particularly during drier months.

Secure flood and wind protection coverage

Pamlico residents should obtain flood insurance, especially those in flood-prone areas; standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Ensure wind/hail coverage with appropriate deductibles and maintain defensible space around structures to reduce wildfire risk.

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.