countyscore

Randolph County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#65 in North Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
40.2
County Score
Weather & Climate 70.7Property Tax 63.6Lawn Care 53.2

County Report Card

About Randolph County, North Carolina

Slightly Below National Performance

Randolph County earns a composite score of 39.8, which is about ten points below the national median of 50.0. The county faces typical regional challenges that suppress its overall ranking.

Searching for the State Average

At 39.8, Randolph County sits below the North Carolina state average of 44.7. It represents a more budget-focused tier of the state's inland counties.

Favorable Taxes and Affordable Housing

The county maintains a solid tax score of 60.7 and a cost score of 49.7. With a median rent of $857 and home values at $171,600, it remains an accessible entry point for North Carolina homeowners.

Environmental Risks and Health Outcomes

Environmental risk and health are significant areas for improvement, scoring 19.4 and 27.9 respectively. Lower income scores of 35.8 further impact the community's overall economic resilience.

Suited for Value-Seeking Commuters

Randolph County is best for families who need affordable housing and manageable taxes within the Piedmont region. It offers a practical lifestyle for those willing to trade some amenities for financial breathing room.

2040608010063.649.329.527.932.536.719.43870.7Tax63.6Cost49.3Safety29.5Health27.9Schools32.5Income36.7Risk19.4Water38Weather70.740.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Randolph County DNA

Foverall

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

Randolph County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Weather & Climate (70.7/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (19.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
63.6+11.600000000000001
Cost
49.3
Safety
29.5-25.5
Health
27.9-22.1
Schools
32.5-21.5
Income
36.7-14.299999999999997
Risk
19.4-27.6
Water
38-20
Weather
70.7+14.700000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Randolph County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$197,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$887/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$197,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,022/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.5

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Guilford County
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34.8
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38.6
Alamance County
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Montgomery County
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Chatham County
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Deep Dives

Randolph County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Randolph County

via TaxByCounty

Randolph County taxes near national average

Randolph County's effective tax rate of 0.720% sits very close to the national median of roughly 0.75%, placing it squarely in the middle of the U.S. tax distribution. The median property tax of $1,236 annually is 54% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values in the area.

Slightly above North Carolina average

Randolph County's effective rate of 0.720% edges slightly above North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it a moderate-tax county. Residents pay a median property tax of $1,236, which is $197 less than the state median of $1,433.

Middle of the pack locally

Randolph County's 0.720% rate falls between lower-tax Polk (0.579%) and higher-tax Pitt (0.849%), placing it in the middle of the examined region. It's notably cheaper than Rockingham (0.788%) and Richmond (0.929%), but more expensive than Person (0.668%).

Median home tax runs $1,236 yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued house in Randolph County ($171,600) pays roughly $1,236 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders pay $1,331 annually, while those without mortgages pay $1,087.

Review your assessment this year

Randolph County homeowners benefit from routine assessment checks, especially those with properties below median value who may be misassessed. Contacting the county assessor about a potential appeal costs nothing and could reduce your tax bill significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Randolph County

via IncomeByCounty

Randolph County income lags nationally

Randolph County's median household income of $59,047 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $15,700. This gap reflects regional economic challenges and lower wage structures in the county.

Below North Carolina average

Randolph County ranks below the state median of $61,072, falling short by roughly $2,000 per household. It sits in the lower-middle tier of North Carolina's 100 counties.

Lower earner among Piedmont counties

Randolph County's income trails Person County ($64,927) by about $5,900 and Rowan County ($63,196) by $4,100. It performs similarly to Rockingham County ($55,796) and Pitt County ($58,851).

Housing remains relatively affordable

At 17.4%, Randolph County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% threshold, and the median home value of $171,600 is accessible on the county median income. Housing affordability is one of the county's economic strengths.

Leverage housing affordability advantage

Randolph County residents can capitalize on low housing costs to build equity through homeownership while maintaining aggressive retirement savings. Using the savings from affordable housing to fund long-term investments accelerates wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Randolph County

via CrimeByCounty

Randolph County Beats National Averages

Randolph County earns a safety score of 97.3, indicating a high level of security for its residents. Its crime rate of 1,685.5 per 100,000 is well below the national average of 2,385.5.

A North Carolina Safety Standout

The county's safety score of 97.3 outperforms the state average of 96.8. Six different reporting agencies collaborate to keep the total crime rate significantly lower than the statewide mean.

Regional Safety Comparison

Randolph's total crime rate of 1,685.5 is lower than neighboring Rowan and Rockingham counties. This makes Randolph one of the safer options within the central Piedmont region.

Breaking Down the Crime Data

The violent crime rate of 180.7 is impressively low, coming in at less than half the national average. Property crime accounts for 1,504.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is also below national figures.

Home Security in Randolph County

Visible security cameras are an excellent way to deter the property crimes that do occur locally. Proper outdoor lighting and clear lines of sight around your home provide an added layer of defense.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Randolph County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Four-Season Piedmont Climate

Randolph County's 58.9°F annual average sits right near the national median. This central location offers a stable climate without the extreme heat of the coast or the heavy snow of the mountains.

A Drier Pocket Within North Carolina

The county is slightly cooler than the state average of 59.3°F and significantly drier. Its 46.0 inches of annual rain is over 5 inches below the state average of 51.5 inches.

Cooler and Drier Than Eastern Neighbors

Randolph is over three degrees cooler than Richmond and Robeson counties to the south. It also receives much less rain than Polk County, making it one of the more arid counties in the region.

Stable Summers and Light Winter Snowfall

July averages 78.1°F with 34 days of extreme heat annually. Winters are moderate, featuring a January average of 39.0°F and a yearly snowfall average of 4.6 inches.

Keep Winter Gear Ready for Moderate Snow

With 4.6 inches of snow and a cold January, residents should maintain reliable home heating and snow removal tools. The lower 46-inch rainfall average may require supplemental watering for sensitive landscaping.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Randolph County

via SoilByCounty

Randolph County's Mildly Acidic Ground

Randolph County soil has a pH of 5.50, which is less acidic than the state average of 5.14 but still well below the national 6.5 median. This mild acidity is a defining trait for local land management and plant selection.

Balanced Texture for Firm Structure

The soil contains 42.4% sand and 38.0% silt, creating a more balanced texture than many neighboring counties. With 17.8% clay added to the mix, the soil offers a firm structure that holds together well during tillage.

Excellent Water Capacity for Farming

Organic matter is relatively low at 1.21%, compared to the North Carolina average of 5.12%. However, the available water capacity of 0.147 in/in is excellent, significantly outperforming the state average of 0.134 in/in.

Moisture Retention in Silt-Rich Soil

Detailed drainage classifications are not currently available for this area, but the high silt and clay content indicates the soil holds onto moisture longer than sandy coastal soils. This makes it a reliable choice for crops that need a steady water supply.

Resilient Gardening in Zone 8a

Hardiness zone 8a allows for a wide variety of perennials and southern favorites like crape myrtles. The high water retention in Randolph means your garden will stay hydrated even during dry spells.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Randolph County

via LawnByCounty

Solid Lawn Potential in Randolph County

Randolph County enjoys a lawn difficulty score of 53.2, outperforming the state average of 40.8. This score places the county above the national median, suggesting a relatively favorable environment for residential turf. Gardeners in Zone 8a benefit from conditions that are easier to manage than many neighboring areas.

Consistent Rain and Manageable Heat

The county sees 46.0 inches of rain annually, which falls within the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy grass. With 34 days of extreme heat, it is slightly milder than the typical North Carolina county. This climate supports a steady growing season without the extreme stress seen in coastal regions.

Navigating Clay-Heavy Soils

The soil contains 17.8% clay and 42.4% sand, making it slightly heavier than its neighbors. A pH of 5.50 is below the 6.0-7.0 ideal, requiring core aeration and lime to prevent compaction and nutrient lockout. Proper soil prep is the most important step for long-term lawn health here.

Preparing for Periodic Dryness

Despite consistent annual rain, the county faced 23 weeks of drought last year and is currently 100% under D2 severe conditions. Establishing a drought-resistant lawn involves choosing varieties with deep root systems. Residents should monitor local water restrictions and water early in the morning to minimize evaporation.

Seeding for Success in Central NC

Tall Fescue and Bermuda grass are both excellent choices for the 4,405 growing degree days in Randolph. The safest planting window begins after April 5 and ends before the first frost on November 6. Start your lawn projects in early autumn to give seeds the best chance to take hold.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Randolph County's county score?
Randolph County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 40.2 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 Randolph County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Randolph County ranks #65 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 Randolph County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Randolph County is $1,324, with an effective tax rate of 0.67%. This earns Randolph County a tax score of 63.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Randolph County?
The median household income in Randolph County, North Carolina is $61,022 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Randolph County earns an income score of 36.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Randolph County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Randolph County scores 40.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #65 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Randolph 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 Randolph County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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