Richmond County exceeds national livability median
Richmond County's composite score of 72.1 is 44% above the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid overall livability despite challenges with income levels. It performs above average compared to typical U.S. counties.
2 / 5
Slightly below state average
Richmond County scores 72.1 against North Carolina's 72.7 state average, placing it just marginally below typical state performance. This near-parity masks significant income disadvantages offset by strong housing affordability.
3 / 5
Extreme housing affordability
Richmond County's cost score of 84.1 is exceptional, with the lowest median home value ($120,800) and lowest rent ($744/month) among these eight counties. This ultra-affordable housing market opens doors for those with the lowest incomes to achieve homeownership.
4 / 5
Significantly low household incomes
The county's income score of 11.9 and median household income of $43,626 are the lowest among these counties, reflecting substantial economic disadvantage. This income-affordability mismatch, combined with missing data on safety and health, raises concerns about economic opportunity.
5 / 5
Best for those with fixed incomes
Richmond County appeals to retirees, seniors living on Social Security, and others with modest fixed incomes seeking maximum housing affordability. It's less suitable for working-age families seeking career growth or higher wage opportunities.
Richmond County exceeds national livability median
Richmond County's composite score of 72.1 is 44% above the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid overall livability despite challenges with income levels. It performs above average compared to typical U.S. counties.
Slightly below state average
Richmond County scores 72.1 against North Carolina's 72.7 state average, placing it just marginally below typical state performance. This near-parity masks significant income disadvantages offset by strong housing affordability.
Extreme housing affordability
Richmond County's cost score of 84.1 is exceptional, with the lowest median home value ($120,800) and lowest rent ($744/month) among these eight counties. This ultra-affordable housing market opens doors for those with the lowest incomes to achieve homeownership.
Significantly low household incomes
The county's income score of 11.9 and median household income of $43,626 are the lowest among these counties, reflecting substantial economic disadvantage. This income-affordability mismatch, combined with missing data on safety and health, raises concerns about economic opportunity.
Best for those with fixed incomes
Richmond County appeals to retirees, seniors living on Social Security, and others with modest fixed incomes seeking maximum housing affordability. It's less suitable for working-age families seeking career growth or higher wage opportunities.
Score breakdown
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🏛76.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Richmond County's effective tax rate of 0.929% ranks among the highest in the nation, far exceeding the national median of roughly 0.75%. However, median home values are significantly lower at $120,800, resulting in a median property tax of $1,122—still 58% below the national median of $2,690.
Second-highest tax rate in state
Richmond County's effective rate of 0.929% ranks second-highest among the eight counties examined and well above North Carolina's state average of 0.701%. Residents here pay $1,122 in median property taxes, close to the state median of $1,433 despite much lower home values.
Only Robeson taxes higher in region
Richmond County's 0.929% rate is the second-highest in the examined region, behind only Robeson County (0.902%). It substantially exceeds Pitt (0.849%), Rockingham (0.788%), and all other neighbors, making it the region's second-heaviest tax burden.
Median home tax is $1,122 annually
A homeowner with a median-valued house in Richmond County ($120,800) pays approximately $1,122 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders pay $1,287 yearly, while those without mortgages pay $890.
High rates make appeals especially valuable
Richmond County's elevated effective rate means even small assessment errors compound significantly for homeowners. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and can yield meaningful savings on your annual tax bill.
Richmond County has lowest incomes, moderate rents
Richmond County's median household income of $43,626 ranks lowest among the eight counties and falls far below the national median of $74,755, creating affordability challenges despite relatively low rents of $744 per month. The rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% reflects the income squeeze facing residents.
Strained affordability despite low rents
Richmond County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% exceeds North Carolina's 18.6% state average, even though monthly rents of $744 fall below the state median of $938. The mismatch stems from incomes that fall significantly below state norms, making Richmond one of the state's least affordable counties despite cheap rents.
Cheapest rents, but lowest incomes too
Richmond County rents of $744 are the region's lowest, undercutting Person County ($796) by $52 monthly. However, this advantage vanishes when considering incomes: Richmond's $43,626 median income trails all neighboring counties, making the 20.5% rent-to-income burden feel heavier despite lower nominal rents.
Income crisis drives housing affordability gap
Richmond County households earning just $43,626 spend 20.5% of income on rent, consuming roughly $744 monthly. Homeownership offers modest cost relief at 19.9% of income ($723 monthly), but with median home values of only $120,800, ownership remains the better long-term path for residents.
Richmond County: consider income stability first
Richmond County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio reflects an income crisis rather than excessive housing costs. While rents are the region's cheapest at $744, relocating here requires securing employment that matches or exceeds the area's $43,626 median income to ensure genuine affordability.
Richmond County's median household income of $43,626 lags the national median of $74,755 by over $31,000 annually. This represents one of the steepest income gaps among North Carolina counties.
Well below North Carolina average
Richmond County ranks significantly below the state median of $61,072, trailing by $17,446 per household. It ranks among the lowest-earning counties in North Carolina.
Economic challenge among peer counties
Richmond County's $43,626 income falls behind all major regional neighbors, including Robeson County ($40,318), which has lower per-capita income. The county faces more severe income challenges than surrounding Piedmont and eastern NC regions.
Housing costs strain household finances
At 20.5%, Richmond County's rent-to-income ratio indicates housing consumes a fifth of median income, leaving limited resources for other essentials. The median home value of $120,800 requires households to stretch limited earnings.
Focus on income stability and skills
Richmond County residents should prioritize job training and skill development to increase earning potential and reduce economic vulnerability. Even modest income gains through education or career advancement compound significantly over time.
Richmond County residents live to just 68.8 years—7.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years and 5.6 years below North Carolina's average. With 21.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces one of the state's most severe health challenges.
Richmond County Ranks Among State's Worst
At 68.8 years, Richmond County has one of North Carolina's lowest life expectancies, and its 12.5% uninsured rate matches the state average. Yet the gap between coverage and health outcomes reveals deeper problems beyond insurance—poverty, access, and chronic disease dominate.
Hardest Hit in the Sandhills Region
Richmond County's 68.8-year life expectancy is the lowest in its peer group, trailing Robeson County (68.0 years is lower, but both are catastrophic) and all Piedmont neighbors. At 21.7% poor/fair health, the county ties Person County as the region's sickest community.
Severe Doctor Shortage Compounds Hardship
Richmond County has only 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest density in this county set—forcing residents to travel far for basic care. Though uninsured rates match the state, the dearth of providers means even insured residents struggle to find doctors.
Richmond County Needs Urgent Healthcare Action
Richmond County's 68.8-year life expectancy demands immediate intervention, starting with ensuring all residents have insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or call N.C. Medicaid at 1-888-453-4647 to check eligibility—coverage alone won't fix everything, but it's a critical first step.
Richmond County's composite risk score of 60.75 rates as Relatively Low but sits near the U.S. average. This score reflects a balanced exposure across multiple hazard types typical of south-central North Carolina.
Slightly below North Carolina's typical risk
At 60.75, Richmond County ranks just below the state average of 66.72, placing it in the safer half of North Carolina counties. Its location in the Sandhills region contributes to this moderate profile.
Lower risk than Robeson, higher than Polk
Richmond County (60.75) faces significantly lower composite risk than its southeastern neighbor Robeson County (91.09), while exceeding western counties like Polk (36.93). It occupies the middle ground of the Sandhills region.
Wildfire and tornado risks dominate
Wildfire risk (79.90) is unusually high for inland North Carolina and represents Richmond County's primary concern, followed by tornado risk (81.23). Hurricane risk (85.98) adds a distant but meaningful coastal threat.
Wildfire and wind coverage recommended
Richmond County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance with comprehensive wind and tornado coverage. If your property borders forests or rural areas, inquire about wildfire riders; flood insurance is also wise for properties in drainage areas.