Person County's composite score of 74.3 sits 48% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This strong performance is driven by tax efficiency and housing affordability, making it an above-average place to live by national standards.
2 / 5
Slightly ahead of North Carolina average
With a score of 74.3, Person County ranks above North Carolina's state average of 72.7, positioning it in the better half of the state's counties. This marginal advantage reflects its particular strengths in tax burden and housing costs.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and affordability shine
Person County excels in keeping costs low, with a tax score of 83.5 and cost score of 79.5—well above state performance. The county's effective tax rate of just 0.668% and median home value of $192,800 make it an attractive option for budget-conscious families and retirees.
4 / 5
Income levels lag significantly
The county's income score of 25.8 reflects a median household income of $64,927, well below what many regions offer. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality is not yet available, limiting a fuller assessment of livability factors.
5 / 5
Best for cost-conscious families
Person County suits families prioritizing affordability and low tax burdens over high incomes or urban amenities. It's an ideal fit for retirees, remote workers, and those seeking rural stability without breaking the bank.
Person County's composite score of 74.3 sits 48% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This strong performance is driven by tax efficiency and housing affordability, making it an above-average place to live by national standards.
Slightly ahead of North Carolina average
With a score of 74.3, Person County ranks above North Carolina's state average of 72.7, positioning it in the better half of the state's counties. This marginal advantage reflects its particular strengths in tax burden and housing costs.
Tax efficiency and affordability shine
Person County excels in keeping costs low, with a tax score of 83.5 and cost score of 79.5—well above state performance. The county's effective tax rate of just 0.668% and median home value of $192,800 make it an attractive option for budget-conscious families and retirees.
Income levels lag significantly
The county's income score of 25.8 reflects a median household income of $64,927, well below what many regions offer. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality is not yet available, limiting a fuller assessment of livability factors.
Best for cost-conscious families
Person County suits families prioritizing affordability and low tax burdens over high incomes or urban amenities. It's an ideal fit for retirees, remote workers, and those seeking rural stability without breaking the bank.
Score breakdown
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🏛83.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Person County's effective tax rate of 0.668% sits well below the national median effective rate of roughly 0.75%, putting it in the bottom half of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax here is $1,288 annually, compared to the national median of $2,690—less than half what typical American homeowners pay.
Below average in North Carolina
Person County's 0.668% effective rate falls below North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, ranking it among the lower-tax counties in the state. Residents pay a median property tax of $1,288 versus the state median of $1,433, saving roughly $145 per year.
Cheaper than most nearby counties
Person County's tax burden is lower than neighboring Pitt County (0.849%) and Rockingham County (0.788%), though Rowan County (0.653%) edges it out as slightly more affordable. Among the region's eight counties studied, Person ranks in the middle—less taxed than higher-burden neighbors but not the lowest overall.
Median home tax runs $1,288 yearly
A homeowner with a median-valued house in Person County ($192,800) pays approximately $1,288 in annual property taxes. Mortgage payers in the county pay slightly more at $1,300 annually, while those without mortgages pay $1,246.
Check if you're overassessed today
Many North Carolina homeowners—including those in Person County—discover their properties are assessed above market value. If your tax bill seems high relative to comparable homes, filing an appeal with the county assessor's office could reduce your burden at no cost.
Person County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% sits well below the national sweet spot of roughly 28%, meaning renters here spend significantly less of their paychecks on housing than the typical American. With a median household income of $64,927—slightly below the national median of $74,755—residents still manage strong housing affordability through modest rental costs of just $796 per month.
Best rental affordability in North Carolina
Person County ranks among North Carolina's most affordable places to rent, with a rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% compared to the state average of 18.6%. This advantage stems partly from lower-than-average rents ($796 vs. the state median of $938) paired with incomes that approach state norms.
Cheaper rents than surrounding counties
Person County's $796 monthly rent undercuts nearby Pitt County ($971) and Rockingham County ($789) by a meaningful margin. Renters here pay nearly $140 less per month than those in Pitt County, making Person a standout option for budget-conscious households in the region.
Where Person County incomes go
Person County residents allocate roughly 14.7% of their $64,927 median income to rent, leaving substantial room in household budgets. Homeowners pay $961 monthly, translating to about 17.8% of income—a reasonable burden that reflects the county's median home value of $192,800.
Consider Person for affordability
If housing costs are your primary concern, Person County delivers North Carolina's most affordable rental market without sacrificing income levels. Compare its $796 rents and 14.7% rent-to-income ratio against higher-cost neighbors to see why this county attracts cost-conscious relocators.
Person County's median household income of $64,927 falls short of the national median of $74,755, a gap of nearly $10,000 per year. This places the county below the 50th percentile nationally, though the specific national rank requires broader census comparison.
Above average for North Carolina
Person County ranks above the state median of $61,072, earning about $3,900 more per household annually. This positions it in the stronger half of North Carolina's 100 counties.
Strongest earner in its peer group
Person County outpaces neighboring Rockingham County ($55,796) and Randolph County ($59,047) by significant margins. Its $64,927 median places it among the higher-earning counties in the Piedmont region.
Housing costs remain manageable
At 14.7%, Person County's rent-to-income ratio is well below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend a healthy share of earnings on housing. With a median home value of $192,800, homeownership is within reach for many households earning the county median.
Build on earnings momentum
Person County residents earning above the median have room to invest in retirement accounts, home equity, and long-term wealth strategies. Starting an IRA or 401(k) early leverages the county's stable income base into generational financial security.
Person County's Life Expectancy Edges Above Average
Person County residents live to 74.8 years on average, slightly outpacing the U.S. average of 76.4 years and matching the state at 74.4 years. However, 21.7% of the county reports poor or fair health—well above the national benchmark of about 17%—suggesting that extra years don't always mean healthier years.
Person County Ranks Mid-Pack in North Carolina
Person County's 74.8-year life expectancy places it slightly above the state average of 74.4 years, and its 10.9% uninsured rate beats the state's 12.5% average. This positions the county as a relative bright spot in the Piedmont region, though health disparities remain.
Healthier Than Rockingham, Behind Polk County
Person County's 74.8-year life expectancy outpaces neighboring Rockingham County (71.9 years) but lags Polk County's 76.5 years. The county's 21.7% poor/fair health rate aligns closely with Randolph County's 21.2%, suggesting similar underlying health challenges across the Piedmont.
Primary Care Access Remains a Gap
With 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Person County has fewer doctors than Pitt County's 114 per 100K but solid mental health support at 108 providers per 100K. The county's 10.9% uninsured rate means most residents can see a doctor, but finding one nearby may require a drive.
Check Your Coverage Options Today
Person County's uninsured rate of 10.9% is among the state's better rates, but nearly 11 of every 100 residents still lack health insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-855-889-4325 to explore coverage options and ensure you're protected.
With a composite risk score of 41.54, Person County ranks as Very Low—significantly safer than the national average. This score reflects relatively contained exposure to multiple hazard types across the county.
North Carolina's safest counties
Person County's 41.54 score places it well below the North Carolina state average of 66.72, making it one of the state's lower-risk counties. This advantage stems from moderate exposure across most hazard categories.
Safer than nearby Granville, similar to Polk
Person County's Very Low risk profile mirrors nearby Polk County (36.93), while outperforming the state average by 25 points. Both northern Piedmont counties enjoy significantly lower composite scores than eastern and southeastern neighbors.
Earthquakes and hurricanes pose modest threats
Earthquake risk (58.81) and hurricane risk (72.47) represent Person County's highest individual hazards, though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Tornadoes (54.87) and flooding (54.52) round out secondary concerns, none requiring emergency-level precautions.
Standard homeowners insurance covers your needs
Person County residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners coverage, which typically includes wind and hail protection. Consider a separate umbrella policy if you have significant assets, but catastrophic disaster insurance is not critical here.