CountyScore

Perquimans County

North Carolina · NC

#27 in North Carolina
69.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Perquimans County, North Carolina

Perquimans exceeds national standards for livability

Perquimans County's composite score of 71.6 beats the national median of 50.0 by 43 percentage points, making it a strong performer among U.S. counties overall. Outstanding tax efficiency (0.622% effective rate) and reasonable housing costs drive this competitive advantage.

Nearly meets North Carolina's state average

At 71.6, Perquimans ranks just below the state average of 72.7, placing it in the upper tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. It's one of the strongest performers in this group, trailing only Pamlico.

Excellent tax and housing combination

Perquimans delivers a tax score of 84.8 (among the state's best) and cost score of 73.8, with an effective tax rate of 0.622% and median home value at $211,600. Rents at $1,061/month add to its affordability appeal for budget-conscious relocators.

Limited income growth opportunities

The income score of 23.4 reflects median household earnings of $61,224, the second-lowest in this group and indicating limited wealth-building potential. Health, safety, school, and environmental data gaps prevent full livability comparison.

Excellent for retirees and remote workers

Perquimans is perfect for retirees, remote employees, and anyone whose income doesn't depend on local job markets but who values low taxes and stable housing costs. If you have income from outside the county, this is one of the state's best fiscal bargains.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.8Cost73.8SafetyComing SoonHealth67SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk62.4WaterComing Soon
🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.4
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 Perquimans County with another county →

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Park County
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Franklin County
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Median income: $52,264

Deep Dives

Perquimans County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Perquimans County

via TaxByCounty

Perquimans taxes well below nation

Perquimans County's effective tax rate of 0.622% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.957%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,316 is less than half the national median of $2,690, reflecting more modest home values of $211,600.

Among North Carolina's lowest rates

Perquimans' 0.622% effective rate ranks well below North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it one of the state's most tax-efficient counties. This favorable position supports homeowner affordability.

Lowest taxes in the eight-county region

Perquimans' 0.622% rate edges out all nearby counties, including New Hanover (0.587%) and Pamlico (0.599%), making it among the region's most tax-friendly options. The county offers solid value for property owners.

About $1,316 on median home

On Perquimans' median home value of $211,600, the 0.622% rate translates to roughly $1,316 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay around $1,488, while outright owners pay approximately $945.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even low-tax counties can have assessment errors that disadvantage homeowners, particularly if values have shifted. A review of your assessment ensures you're not overpaying on what should be a fair evaluation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Perquimans County

via CostByCounty

Perquimans rent burden exceeds national norms

Perquimans County's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, indicating that renters here dedicate more earnings to housing than typical Americans. With a median household income of $61,224—$13,531 below the national median—the housing burden lands significantly harder than it does nationally.

Above state average but moderate rents

Perquimans County's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds North Carolina's state average of 18.6% by 2.2 percentage points, though its $1,061 median rent sits only 13% above the state median of $938. The affordability squeeze reflects a combination of moderate rents and below-average incomes.

Moderately priced rental in rural context

Perquimans's $1,061 median rent ranks among the lower tier, undercut only by Northampton ($749) and Pamlico ($909), positioning it favorably against Pasquotank ($1,146) and Onslow ($1,198). Despite rural character, Perquimans rents run measurably higher than other inland eastern counties.

Nearly balanced rent and ownership paths

Perquimans renters pay $1,061 monthly while homeowners face $1,004 on a median home value of $211,600, with ownership slightly cheaper—a rare inversion favoring buyers. Housing consumes roughly 21% of a $61,224 median income, leaving limited reserves for emergencies or major expenses.

Rural charm with above-average costs

Perquimans offers a quieter rural setting but with housing burdens exceeding state and national norms, making it best suited for those with stable income or remote work. Compare Perquimans against more affordable rural neighbors like Pamlico or Northampton if cost of living is your primary driver.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Perquimans County

via IncomeByCounty

Perquimans falls modestly below national income

Perquimans County's median household income of $61,224 lags the national median of $74,755 by 18%, reflecting typical rural county economics. This places Perquimans in the lower-middle income tier nationally, consistent with northeastern North Carolina.

Matches North Carolina's state average exactly

Perquimans County's $61,224 median household income essentially equals the state average of $61,072, positioning it right at the statewide median. The county's agricultural and small-business economy generates stable, unremarkable income growth.

Nearly indistinguishable from regional peers

Perquimans's $61,224 income clusters tightly with Pamlico County ($61,624) and Pasquotank County ($63,912), making all three eastern counties economically similar. The significant income gap widens dramatically when comparing to New Hanover and Pender counties.

Excellent housing affordability enhances financial stability

Perquimans County's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable, and the median home value of $211,600 remains well within reach for median-income households. Housing affordability in Perquimans ranks among the region's best, supporting both renters and homeowners.

Leverage low housing costs to build savings

Perquimans households benefit from some of the region's lowest housing cost burdens, making consistent savings contributions achievable even at modest income levels. Starting with small, automated retirement and savings contributions creates momentum toward financial security and generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Perquimans County

via HealthByCounty

Perquimans faces significant health outcome gaps

At 73.7 years, Perquimans County's life expectancy falls 2.7 years below the national average of 76.4 years and trails North Carolina's state average by 0.7 years. About 17.0% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly below the national rate of 17.1%. These metrics place Perquimans among the nation's lower-performing counties.

Perquimans ranks near the state's lower end

Perquimans' life expectancy of 73.7 years sits below North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years, indicating persistent health challenges. Its uninsured rate of 11.5% is slightly better than the state average of 12.5%, yet outcomes remain constrained. Provider access and care quality appear to be the binding constraints on Perquimans health.

Severe provider shortage exacerbates isolation

With just 15 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Perquimans has one of the state's lowest primary care densities—fewer than one-sixth of well-supplied counties like New Hanover (92 per 100K). Mental health providers number only 67 per 100,000, among the state's absolute lowest, leaving many residents without access to behavioral health support. Geographic isolation compounds these shortages.

Rural healthcare gaps drive poor outcomes

Perquimans residents often drive 60+ miles to reach basic specialty care and have virtually no mental health services locally, forcing behavioral health needs to go untreated. The shortage of primary care providers creates bottlenecks that delay diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions. Limited local capacity pushes residents toward emergency care as a default option.

Coverage is essential in Perquimans' system

With only 11.5% uninsured, most Perquimans residents have health plans—but limited local providers make coverage less impactful than in better-served areas. If you lack coverage, visit ncdhhs.gov or call 211 to explore Medicaid or marketplace options immediately. Covered residents should partner with local health departments and federally qualified health centers to navigate the limited provider network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Perquimans County

via RiskByCounty

Perquimans ranks among the nation's safest

Perquimans County's composite risk score of 37.66 and 'Very Low' rating rank it well below the national average for natural disaster hazard. Inland location in northeastern North Carolina provides substantial protection from multiple threat types.

North Carolina's lowest-risk county profiled

At 37.66, Perquimans County is the safest of this regional group, scoring 29 points below the state average of 66.72. Distance from mountains, coast, and major flood corridors creates a favorable natural hazard profile.

Safest in the northeastern cluster

Perquimans (37.66) is the lowest-risk county among its northeastern peers: Pasquotank (58.68) and Northampton (44.21). Its combination of very low wildfire, tornado, and earthquake risks distinguishes it as the region's safest community.

Hurricanes and flooding are the main hazards

Even in Perquimans, hurricane risk of 89.65 reflects exposure to Atlantic storms and tropical system remnants that reach inland areas. Flood risk of 52.20 reflects local creeks and streams that can overflow during heavy precipitation.

Standard precautions provide solid protection

Perquimans residents should maintain homeowners insurance with wind and hail coverage for tropical storms and spring thunderstorms. Keep trees trimmed, secure roof attachments, and store important documents safely—the county's low overall risk means comprehensive disaster insurance may not require specialized add-ons for most properties.

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.