Rockingham County's composite score of 74.1 is 48% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the stronger tier of U.S. counties for livability. This solid national position reflects balanced strengths in taxes and affordability.
2 / 5
Above average for North Carolina
Rockingham County scores 74.1 against the state average of 72.7, placing it among the better-performing counties in North Carolina. This advantage stems from disciplined tax management and housing accessibility.
3 / 5
Strong tax burden and housing affordability
Rockingham County combines a tax score of 80.1 with an effective rate of 0.788% and an exceptional cost score of 83.1, backed by median rent of just $789 per month. This one-two punch of low taxes and affordable housing maximizes household purchasing power.
4 / 5
Modest income levels limit growth
The county's income score of 19.8 and median household income of $55,796 suggest limited wage advancement or skilled job availability. Safety, health, school, and environmental quality data remains absent from the livability picture.
5 / 5
Perfect for frugal middle-class families
Rockingham County attracts working families and downsizers who value fiscal efficiency and low housing costs over climbing local wages. It suits those with stable remote income, pensions, or who commute to better-paying regional job markets.
Rockingham County's composite score of 74.1 is 48% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the stronger tier of U.S. counties for livability. This solid national position reflects balanced strengths in taxes and affordability.
Above average for North Carolina
Rockingham County scores 74.1 against the state average of 72.7, placing it among the better-performing counties in North Carolina. This advantage stems from disciplined tax management and housing accessibility.
Strong tax burden and housing affordability
Rockingham County combines a tax score of 80.1 with an effective rate of 0.788% and an exceptional cost score of 83.1, backed by median rent of just $789 per month. This one-two punch of low taxes and affordable housing maximizes household purchasing power.
Modest income levels limit growth
The county's income score of 19.8 and median household income of $55,796 suggest limited wage advancement or skilled job availability. Safety, health, school, and environmental quality data remains absent from the livability picture.
Perfect for frugal middle-class families
Rockingham County attracts working families and downsizers who value fiscal efficiency and low housing costs over climbing local wages. It suits those with stable remote income, pensions, or who commute to better-paying regional job markets.
Score breakdown
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🏛80.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Rockingham County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% comfortably beats the national stress threshold, with renters spending well below one-fifth of income on housing. The median household income of $55,796 falls below the national median of $74,755, yet modest rents of $789 per month create genuine affordability.
Best overall affordability in North Carolina
Rockingham County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% ranks among the best in North Carolina, beating the state average of 18.6% by a meaningful margin. With rents just $149 above the state median of $938, this county achieves rare affordability through a balance of modest housing costs and reasonable income levels.
Second-cheapest rents, solid incomes
Rockingham County's $789 monthly rent trails only Person County ($796) in the eight-county region, while median incomes of $55,796 exceed all counties except Person, Polk, and Rowan. This combination delivers the region's strongest affordability ratio at 17.0%.
Rents well below income targets
Rockingham County households earning $55,796 spend just 17.0% of income on rent, consuming roughly $789 monthly—nearly a full percentage point below even the national comfort zone. Homeowners pay $731 monthly (15.7% of income), with median home values of $156,000 offering solid entry points for ownership.
Rockingham: strong value in the region
Rockingham County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio and $789 monthly rents make it one of North Carolina's safest affordability bets outside of Person County. Compare its costs against higher-burden neighbors like Pitt ($971) and Polk ($1,089) to see why relocators seeking value choose Rockingham.
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.
Rockingham County residents live to 71.9 years on average—4.5 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years and 2.5 years below North Carolina's 74.4 years. With 20.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces above-average disease burden and early mortality.
Rockingham County Ranks Low in State Health
At 71.9 years, Rockingham County's life expectancy falls among North Carolina's worst counties, and its 12.5% uninsured rate matches the state average. The county's below-average health outcomes persist despite average insurance coverage, indicating structural healthcare and economic barriers.
Struggling in the Piedmont Core
Rockingham County's 71.9-year life expectancy trails Person County (74.8 years), Pitt County (74.9 years), and Polk County (76.5 years), placing it among the region's worst health performers. Its 20.7% poor/fair health rate aligns with peer distress in the Piedmont.
Tight Doctor Supply and Average Insurance
Rockingham County has only 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than one-third of Pitt County's capacity—forcing residents to wait longer for care. With 12.5% uninsured, the county's insurance gap matches the state, but provider scarcity compounds access challenges.
Rockingham County: Cover All Residents
Rockingham County's 71.9-year life expectancy demands action, starting with ensuring every resident has insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or call N.C. Medicaid at 1-888-453-4647 to explore coverage options and take the first step toward a healthier county.
Rockingham County's composite risk score of 71.88 rates as Relatively Low but slightly exceeds the national average. This score reflects moderate exposure to multiple hazards typical of North Carolina's northern Piedmont.
Above North Carolina's average risk level
At 71.88, Rockingham County ranks above the state average of 66.72, placing it in the moderate-risk tier. Its Piedmont location contributes to above-average flood and tornado exposure.
Moderate risk shared with central counties
Rockingham County (71.88) faces higher composite risk than western neighbors like Person County (41.54) and Polk County (36.93), but lower than Rowan County (82.92). It represents the typical risk profile for Piedmont transitional areas.
Flooding and hurricanes top concern list
Flood risk (82.95) and hurricane risk (78.68) are Rockingham County's highest individual hazards, while tornado risk (56.42) poses a secondary concern. Wildfire risk (23.76) remains notably low for the region.
Flood and wind coverage essential
Rockingham County residents should secure homeowners insurance with comprehensive wind and tornado protection. Flood insurance is strongly recommended, particularly for properties in the county's river valleys and low-lying areas.