countyscore

Rockingham County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#69 in North Carolina

Explore on ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
39.2
County Score
Weather & Climate 65.6Cost of Living 65.3Property Tax 55.5

County Report Card

About Rockingham County, North Carolina

Below Median National Standards

Rockingham County earns a 39.0 composite score, trailing the 50.0 national median. This indicates the county has significant room to improve across its core infrastructure and safety metrics.

Falling Short of State Averages

The county's score of 39.0 sits below the 44.7 North Carolina state average. It reflects a rural community that is still working to match the state's broader economic momentum.

Strong Affordability and Stable Taxes

Rockingham County is very affordable, scoring 65.3 for cost with a median rent of $789. Its tax score of 54.2 is supported by a median home value of $156,000, making it a budget-friendly destination.

Safety and Water Quality Gaps

The safety score of 16.8 and water score of 27.6 are the primary weights on the county's ranking. These scores highlight a need for investment in public security and environmental infrastructure.

Good for Budget-Driven Renters

Rockingham County is a solid fit for individuals seeking affordable rents and a low barrier to homeownership. It appeals to those who prioritize immediate financial savings over long-term infrastructure scores.

2040608010055.565.316.82833.32628.127.665.6Tax55.5Cost65.3Safety16.8Health28Schools33.3Income26Risk28.1Water27.6Weather65.639.2/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Rockingham County DNA

Foverall

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

Rockingham County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (65.3/100) but notably weak in Safety (16.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
55.5
Cost
65.3+17.299999999999997
Safety
16.8-38.2
Health
28-22
Schools
33.3-20.700000000000003
Income
26-25
Risk
28.1-18.9
Water
27.6-30.4
Weather
65.6+9.599999999999994
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Rockingham County?

Many homeowners in Rockingham County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$168,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$810/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$168,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,053/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.3

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Rockingham County with Richmond County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Richmond County
Georgia
Median income: $55,637
39.2
Wilkes County
Georgia
Median income: $52,043
39.2
Penobscot County
Maine
Median income: $66,356
39.2
Adams County
Nebraska
Median income: $68,365
39.2
Belknap County
New Hampshire
Median income: $92,783
39.2
Chemung County
New York
Median income: $63,716
39.2
Oneida County
New York
Median income: $70,154
39.2
Williamsburg County
South Carolina
Median income: $46,213
39.2

Nearby counties

Martinsville city
Virginia
44.1
Henry County
Virginia
51.6
Danville city
Virginia
37.7
Guilford County
North Carolina
34.8
Caswell County
North Carolina
58.9
Stokes County
North Carolina
63.2
Pittsylvania County
Virginia
54.5
Patrick County
Virginia
58.9

Deep Dives

Rockingham County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rockingham County

via TaxByCounty

Rockingham County exceeds national tax median

Rockingham County's effective tax rate of 0.788% exceeds the national median of roughly 0.75%, placing it in the higher half of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $1,230 annually is 54% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values typical of the region.

Above North Carolina state average

Rockingham County's effective rate of 0.788% ranks above North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, putting it in the higher-tax group. Residents pay a median property tax of $1,230, which is $203 less than the state median of $1,433.

Mid-tier tax burden in the region

Rockingham County's 0.788% rate exceeds Polk (0.579%), Person (0.668%), and Randolph (0.720%), but falls below Pitt (0.849%), Richmond (0.929%), and Robeson (0.902%). It occupies the middle ground in the eight-county comparison.

Median home tax runs $1,230 yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued house in Rockingham County ($156,000) pays approximately $1,230 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders pay $1,358 annually, while those without mortgages pay $1,071.

Challenge your assessment if warranted

Rockingham County homeowners should review their assessments, especially those with properties near or below median value. A free appeal to the county assessor could uncover overvaluations and deliver welcome annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rockingham County

via IncomeByCounty

Rockingham County income below US median

Rockingham County's median household income of $55,796 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by nearly $19,000. The gap reflects regional economic structures and wage levels typical of industrial Piedmont areas.

Below North Carolina state average

Rockingham County ranks below the state median of $61,072, trailing by approximately $5,276 per household. It sits in the lower portion of North Carolina's income distribution.

Lower income compared to strong peers

Rockingham County's $55,796 income trails Person County ($64,927) by over $9,000 and Rowan County ($63,196) by $7,400. It performs similarly to Pitt County ($58,851) and Randolph County ($59,047).

Housing costs remain manageable

At 17.0%, Rockingham County's rent-to-income ratio sits safely below the affordability threshold, and the median home value of $156,000 aligns well with median income. Housing affordability is a relative strength in this county.

Build savings with housing advantage

Rockingham County households benefit from affordable housing to redirect earnings toward emergency funds and retirement accounts. Maximizing employer 401(k) matches and opening supplemental IRAs creates meaningful long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Rockingham County

via CrimeByCounty

Rockingham County Safety Metrics

Rockingham County holds a safety score of 96.4, staying slightly below the national crime average. The total crime rate of 2,255.3 per 100,000 is lower than the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Rockingham vs State Safety Average

The safety score of 96.4 is just under the North Carolina average of 96.8. Eight reporting agencies work to manage crime levels that are slightly higher than the state's typical rate.

Regional Safety Rankings

Rockingham's crime rate of 2,255.3 is higher than nearby Person County but lower than Pitt County. It occupies a middle ground for safety within the northern Piedmont region.

Violent and Property Crime Trends

Property crime sits at 1,952.7 per 100,000, which is the vast majority of local incidents. Violent crime remains below national figures at 302.6, compared to the 369.8 national average.

Steps for a Safer Home

Securing valuables in home safes and ensuring all windows are locked can prevent common property crimes. Community alertness remains a key factor in keeping local neighborhoods safe.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Rockingham County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Annual Temperatures Than National Medians

Rockingham County averages 57.8°F annually, making it cooler than many counties across the United States. Its location along the Virginia border provides a distinct four-season experience.

A Cool and Drier Northern Tier County

At 57.8°F, Rockingham is cooler than the North Carolina state average of 59.3°F. It is also drier than the state average, receiving 47.4 inches of rain compared to the 51.5-inch norm.

Coolest and Snowiest in the Region

Rockingham is cooler than its southern neighbor Randolph and its eastern neighbor Person. It also experiences the most snowfall in the region, averaging 5.9 inches per year.

Cold Winters and Moderate Summer Heat

Winters are the coldest in the group with a January average of 38.1°F and nearly 6 inches of snow. Summers are manageable with a July average of 77.4°F and 35 days of extreme heat.

Prepare for Snow and Freezing Temperatures

With 5.9 inches of annual snow and 38°F January temperatures, winter tires and home heating reliability are top priorities. The moderate summer heat makes this an excellent climate for outdoor gardening.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Rockingham County

via SoilByCounty

Classic Piedmont Acidic Soil

Rockingham County features a soil pH of 5.48, which is slightly higher than the North Carolina average of 5.14 but still under the national median of 6.5. This moderately acidic profile supports a variety of traditional Piedmont agriculture.

Reliable Balance of Sand and Silt

The soil is composed of 56.6% sand, 24.9% silt, and 17.1% clay. This composition offers a good balance between workability and structural integrity for farm equipment.

Resilient Water Capacity for Summer

Organic matter levels sit at 1.27%, which is below the state average of 5.12% and the national 2.0% mark. However, the water capacity of 0.137 in/in is slightly better than the state average, helping plants survive during dry summer months.

Stable Foundation for Local Farming

No specific drainage class is listed for the county, but the clay and silt levels suggest it retains moisture better than the state's coastal soils. This makes the land less prone to drought but potentially slower to dry out after heavy rain.

Versatile Planting in Zone 7b

Hardiness zone 7b is great for growing cool-season vegetables like kale and cabbage alongside summer staples. The soil's ability to hold water makes it a reliable foundation for your backyard food plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Rockingham County

via LawnByCounty

Rockingham Hits the National Average

Rockingham County scores a 50.5 on the lawn difficulty scale, landing almost exactly on the national median. This makes it easier to manage than the North Carolina state average of 40.8. Its location in Hardiness Zone 7b offers a more temperate climate than the southern parts of the state.

Balanced Rain and Moderate Growing Days

The county receives 47.4 inches of rain, which is within the ideal 30-50 inch window for most grasses. With 35 extreme heat days, it stays slightly cooler than the 38-day state average. The 4,193 growing degree days provide enough warmth for growth without the extreme burnout seen elsewhere.

Correcting Acidity in Loamy Soil

A soil pH of 5.48 is below the 6.0-7.0 ideal range, so lime treatments are recommended to boost grass health. The soil is 56.6% sand and 17.1% clay, a blend that generally provides good drainage and root support. Focus on improving soil fertility to maximize the benefits of the county's moderate rainfall.

Resilience During Summer Dry Spells

The county faced 27 weeks of drought last year and is currently entirely under D2 severe drought conditions. To combat these dry periods, homeowners should allow their grass to grow longer, which shades the soil and reduces evaporation. Efficient watering during the early morning hours is critical to maintain turf during current dry spells.

Prime Planting for the Piedmont

Tall Fescue is the champion of Zone 7b, though warm-season Bermuda also performs well. Plan your seeding between the last spring frost on April 11 and the first fall frost on November 2. September is often the best time to aerate and overseed for a lush spring lawn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rockingham County's county score?
Rockingham County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 39.2 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 Rockingham County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Rockingham County ranks #69 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 Rockingham County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Rockingham County is $1,258, with an effective tax rate of 0.75%. This earns Rockingham County a tax score of 55.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Rockingham County?
The median household income in Rockingham County, North Carolina is $57,053 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rockingham County earns an income score of 26/100 on CountyScore.
Is Rockingham County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Rockingham County scores 39.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #69 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Rockingham 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 Rockingham 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.