CountyScore

Pender County

North Carolina · NC

#71 in North Carolina
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Pender County, North Carolina

Pender outperforms national livability benchmarks

Pender County's composite score of 70.4 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, marking it as one of the more livable counties nationwide. The county balances low taxes (0.696% effective rate), reasonable housing, and higher-than-average incomes for the region.

Just below North Carolina's state average

At 70.4, Pender ranks slightly below the state average of 72.7, placing it in the upper-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. Strong income and cost scores compensate for a moderate tax burden.

Higher incomes with reasonable costs

Pender's income score of 33.5 and median household income of $76,838 are among the highest in this group, paired with a cost score of 70.4 and median home value of $267,100. This balance of earning power and affordability makes it attractive to working families seeking stability.

Tax burden slightly elevated

The tax score of 82.7 is solid but not exceptional, and the effective tax rate of 0.696% is higher than several peer counties. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment limits full assessment of livability beyond fiscal metrics.

Ideal for working families seeking balance

Pender suits employed families and couples who value reasonable incomes alongside manageable housing costs and taxes. If you want a mix of economic opportunity and affordability near coastal areas, Pender offers a well-rounded package.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.7Cost70.4SafetyComing SoonHealth67.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.5Risk13.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.1
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 Pender County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Montgomery County
Alabama
65
Median income: $58,153
Mohave County
Arizona
65
Median income: $55,799
Navajo County
Arizona
65
Median income: $52,752
Adams County
Illinois
65
Median income: $64,962
Massac County
Illinois
65
Median income: $62,584

Deep Dives

Pender County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pender County

via TaxByCounty

Pender below national tax median

Pender County's effective tax rate of 0.696% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.957%, landing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,858 represents about 31% below the national median of $2,690, despite home values of $267,100 being closer to the national average.

Slightly below state average

Pender's 0.696% effective rate is virtually aligned with North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it representative of statewide tax conditions. The rate offers reasonable value for property owners.

Moderate taxes among coastal counties

Pender's 0.696% rate sits comfortably between Onslow County (0.652%) and Pasquotank (0.693%), making it competitive within the coastal region. The county maintains a balanced position among its neighbors.

About $1,858 on median home

On Pender's median home value of $267,100, the 0.696% rate yields roughly $1,858 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay around $2,105, while those without pay approximately $1,395.

Challenge inflated assessments

Many Pender County homeowners may be overpaying due to outdated or inaccurate assessments, particularly if property values have declined. Filing an appeal costs nothing and could recover hundreds in annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pender County

via CostByCounty

Pender County delivers best regional affordability

Pender County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio beats both the national average and nearly every peer in the region, delivering genuine housing relief despite a median household income of $76,838—just above the national median. With median rents of $1,072, Pender offers a rare combination of strong income and modest housing burden.

Below state average, strong income profile

Pender County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio sits below North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, and its $1,072 median rent is only 14% above the state median of $938. The county's median income of $76,838 exceeds most state peers, making Pender one of the region's most balanced markets.

Best value between coastal premium and rural discount

Pender's $1,072 median rent undercuts Orange ($1,387) and New Hanover ($1,343) by double digits while exceeding only Northampton ($749) and Pamlico ($909) among eight surveyed counties. With a median income exceeding most peers, Pender offers superior value for those seeking coastal proximity without premium pricing.

Ownership edge in Pender's balanced market

Pender renters spend $1,072 monthly while homeowners pay $1,215 on a median home value of $267,100, making ownership a long-term investment that builds equity faster. Housing consumes approximately 17% of a $76,838 median income, leaving substantial room for savings and financial flexibility.

Pender: the region's sweet spot

Pender County delivers the region's best combination of affordable rents, strong median income, and reasonable ownership costs, making it ideal for families and remote workers. If you're weighing coastal living against affordability, Pender offers the most balanced option in this eight-county comparison.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pender County

via IncomeByCounty

Pender's income matches national standards

Pender County's median household income of $76,838 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 2.8%, placing it slightly above the American average. This positions Pender among the upper-middle tier of counties nationally.

Ranks among North Carolina's top earners

Pender County's $76,838 median household income surpasses the state average of $61,072 by 26%, making it one of North Carolina's stronger-earning counties. The county's proximity to Wilmington and growing suburban development drive above-average incomes.

Leads eastern counties outside Chapel Hill region

Pender County's $76,838 income edges out New Hanover County ($72,892) and substantially exceeds all other eastern NC peers tracked here. Only Orange County's research economy surpasses Pender's income levels in this regional comparison.

Housing remains affordable despite strong incomes

Pender County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio represents the region's best affordability-to-income balance, among the lowest in the eight-county comparison. The median home value of $267,100 remains accessible, allowing households to build homeownership equity.

Invest surplus income in long-term security

Pender County households enjoy both solid incomes and exceptional housing affordability, creating substantial opportunity for wealth building beyond basic needs. Consider expanding investment portfolios, pursuing homeownership, and maximizing retirement contributions to leverage this favorable economic position.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pender County

via HealthByCounty

Pender's life expectancy approaches national average

At 75.7 years, Pender County's life expectancy sits 0.7 years below the national average of 76.4 years, placing it near the national middle. About 17.7% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 17.1%. Pender shows mixed health performance relative to national benchmarks.

Pender slightly outperforms the state average

At 75.7 years, Pender's life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's state average by 1.3 years, though its 17.7% poor/fair health rate sits just above the state midpoint. The uninsured rate of 11.7% is better than the state average of 12.5%, indicating residents have reasonable coverage access. Pender ranks in the state's upper-middle tier on health outcomes.

Limited primary care constrains growth

Pender has 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, similar to other eastern North Carolina rural counties but far below strong performers like New Hanover (92 per 100K). Mental health capacity at 164 per 100,000 offers moderate access but lags state leaders. Many residents must travel to New Hanover or other regional centers for specialty care.

Coverage exists, but provider access limits impact

Pender's 11.7% uninsured rate leaves about 88% of residents with some form of coverage, yet 17.7% still report poor health—suggesting access to available providers may be constrained. Rural location and limited specialists require residents to plan ahead for non-emergency care. Strengthening primary care and mental health infrastructure would amplify the benefit of existing coverage.

Insurance access supports Pender's progress

If you're among Pender's 11.7% uninsured residents, coverage is accessible through Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer options. Visit ncdhhs.gov or call 211 to explore your eligibility and enroll. With coverage in place, work with local providers to establish preventive care and help lift Pender's health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pender County

via RiskByCounty

Pender County faces elevated disaster risk

Pender County's composite risk score of 86.93 and 'Relatively Moderate' rating indicate substantial natural disaster exposure above the national average. Coastal geography creates compounded hazards across multiple disaster types.

High-risk coastal county in North Carolina

Pender's 86.93 score exceeds the state average of 66.72 by 20 points, reflecting its position as one of North Carolina's most hazard-prone counties. Coastal and low-elevation locations amplify vulnerability to hurricanes, flooding, and wildfire.

Slightly lower risk than New Hanover and Onslow

Pender County (86.93) forms part of the coastal high-risk corridor with New Hanover (96.12) and Onslow (94.97), though it ranks slightly lower overall. All three counties share nearly identical hurricane exposure and similar flood and wildfire vulnerabilities.

Hurricanes and wildfires drive Pender's risk

Pender's hurricane risk of 97.16 is near maximum, with coastal storm surge and inland wind damage affecting properties throughout the county. Wildfire risk of 86.93 creates additional seasonal danger, especially during dry periods.

Ensure comprehensive multi-hazard insurance

Pender County homeowners should obtain both flood insurance and confirm that standard policies include hurricane wind coverage with appropriate deductibles. Reinforce roof attachments, consider impact-resistant windows, and maintain defensible space 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.