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Stanly County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#46 in North Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
45.1
County Score
Property Tax 71.7Weather & Climate 70.4Cost of Living 51.8

County Report Card

About Stanly County, North Carolina

Competitive with the National Median

Stanly County earns a 45.1 composite score, positioning it just behind the national median of 50.0. It provides a standard of living that is fairly representative of suburbanizing rural America.

Surpassing the North Carolina Average

The county outpaces the North Carolina state average composite of 44.7. This performance makes Stanly a reliable mid-range option for residents looking for stability within the state.

High Incomes and Low Taxes

A tax score of 71.7 and an income score of 44.0 highlight a strong economic profile. Residents earn a median household income of $61,631 while paying a modest 0.623% effective tax rate.

Environmental and Safety Concerns

Water quality and safety remain areas for improvement with scores of 33.2 and 28.5 respectively. These metrics suggest that infrastructure and public services are still catching up to the county's economic growth.

Ideal for Regional Commuters

Stanly County is a great fit for workers who want higher wages and low taxes without living in a major city center. It offers a balanced, growth-oriented lifestyle with a reasonable cost of entry.

2040608010071.751.828.540.534.94441.233.270.4Tax71.7Cost51.8Safety28.5Health40.5Schools34.9Income44Risk41.2Water33.2Weather70.445.1/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Stanly County DNA

Foverall

How Stanly County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Stanly County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (71.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (28.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
71.7+19.700000000000003
Cost
51.8
Safety
28.5-26.5
Health
40.5-9.5
Schools
34.9-19.1
Income
44
Risk
41.2
Water
33.2-24.799999999999997
Weather
70.4+14.400000000000006
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$214,300

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$830/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$214,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,631/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

6.3

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

Montgomery County
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46.5
Anson County
North Carolina
34.8
Cabarrus County
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Union County
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Rowan County
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Richmond County
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Davidson County
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Mecklenburg County
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Deep Dives

Stanly County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Stanly County

via TaxByCounty

Stanly taxes sit comfortably below national

Stanly County's effective rate of 0.623% ranks well below the national median, and residents pay $1,334 annually—less than half the national median tax of $2,690. This positions Stanly as a relatively tax-friendly county nationally.

Stanly rates run below state average

At 0.623%, Stanly County falls below North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it a tax-advantaged county within the state. Median property taxes of $1,334 align with state-level expectations.

Stanly competitive with regional peers

Stanly's 0.623% rate mirrors nearby counties like Surry (0.621%) and Stokes (0.620%), though it trails tax-friendly Swain (0.402%) and undercuts high-rate Scotland (0.909%). The rate reflects typical piedmont county tax policy.

Your annual Stanly tax bill

On a median home valued at $214,300, Stanly homeowners pay approximately $1,334 annually—or about $111 per month. With a mortgage, that climbs to $1,451; without one, it's $1,179.

Stanly homeowners deserve fair assessments

Many North Carolina property owners pay taxes on inflated assessments without realizing they can appeal at no cost. If your Stanly home's assessed value seems high compared to recent comparable sales, file an appeal with your assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stanly County

via CostByCounty

Stanly rents are surprisingly reasonable

Despite being North Carolina's highest-valued housing market among these eight counties, Stanly's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% beats the state average of 18.6%. The county's $61,631 median household income provides substantial purchasing power relative to its $830 monthly rent.

Strong affordability despite higher prices

Stanly County ranks among North Carolina's most affordable markets by rent-to-income ratio at 16.2%, well below the state average. This reflects a healthy balance: above-average incomes ($61,631) paired with manageable housing costs relative to earnings.

Stanly offers best income-to-rent balance

Stanly's $830 rent is the region's highest, but its $61,631 median income is also among the strongest, yielding the best rent-to-income ratio (16.2%) among peer counties. The median home value of $214,300 is substantial but aligned with the county's earning power.

Strong incomes support higher rents

Stanly renters spend 16.2% of their $61,631 income on $830/month rent, a comfortable proportion. Homeowners pay $847/month while the median home value reaches $214,300—the highest here—reflecting a county where higher incomes sustain stronger property values.

Stanly: premium value with solid affordability

If you're relocating and can secure Stanly-level income, you'll find excellent affordability metrics despite higher absolute home prices. The county's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio and strong incomes make it ideal for professionals seeking stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stanly County

via IncomeByCounty

Stanly slightly below national average income

Stanly County's median household income of $61,631 trails the national median of $74,755 by $13,124, placing it roughly 18% below the U.S. average. However, Stanly ranks closer to the national median than most rural counties, positioning it in the middle-lower tier nationally. This reflects a more diversified local economy with manufacturing and service sectors offering moderate-wage employment.

Stanly edges above state average income

At $61,631, Stanly's median household income exceeds the North Carolina state average of $61,072 by a slim $559. This places Stanly in the upper-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. The narrow margin reflects Stanly's position as a solid, working-class county without the advantages of major metropolitan employment centers or significant higher-wage sectors.

Leads most rural peers in household income

Stanly's $61,631 median income exceeds all comparison counties except Transylvania ($64,523), including Stokes ($60,039) and Surry ($56,095). The $5,500 advantage over Rutherford and larger gap versus Scotland reflects Stanly's relatively stronger manufacturing and service sector employment. This positions Stanly as a more prosperous node in the piedmont's rural economic network.

Solid housing affordability with growth potential

Stanly's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% indicates healthy housing affordability for renters. The median home value of $214,300 requires household income of roughly $75,000–$85,000 at conventional lending standards, creating a real but surmountable homeownership barrier. Two-income households and those with modest savings can realistically access homeownership in Stanly's market.

Middle-income households can build real wealth

Stanly households at the $61,631 median can comfortably allocate 10–15% of income to retirement savings while maintaining living standards. Home equity builds automatically for the roughly 65% who own their homes, creating substantial long-term wealth accumulation. Employer pensions and 401(k) matching—common in Stanly's manufacturing sector—compound significantly over 30+ year careers.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Stanly County

via CrimeByCounty

Stanly County Ranks High for Safety

Stanly County boasts a strong safety score of 97.3, placing it well above the national safety baseline. Its crime rate of 1,726.7 per 100,000 is much lower than the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Exceeding North Carolina Safety Norms

With a score of 97.3, Stanly is safer than the North Carolina state average of 96.8. The county's crime rate of 1,726.7 is also lower than the state average of 2,050.0.

Leading the Way in Regional Safety

Stanly County is slightly safer than neighboring Surry County, which reports a crime rate of 1,730.4. It maintains a significant safety advantage over Scotland County’s much higher rates.

Low Violent Crime Across the County

Violent crime is impressively low at 231.2 per 100,000, far beating the national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 1,495.5, which represents the majority of police reports.

Maintaining Stanly’s Secure Environment

Residents should focus on deterring property crime through smart lighting and secure locks. Continued engagement with local law enforcement helps sustain these high safety scores.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Stanly County

via SchoolsByCounty

Broad Educational Infrastructure

Stanly County supports 9,394 students through a network of 24 public schools across two districts. The county features 11 elementary, four middle, and eight high schools, plus one additional specialized facility. This wide variety of schools ensures that families have diverse choices for their children's education.

Leading the State in Graduation Rates

Stanly County achieves a strong 90.1% graduation rate, surpassing the state average of 88.0%. This success comes despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $6,095, which is below the state average of $6,969. The county's school score of 51.6 remains competitive with the statewide average.

Traditional Schools and a Prominent Charter

Stanly County Schools is the primary district, educating 8,643 students across 23 schools. The county also hosts Gray Stone Day School, a high-performing charter school that serves 751 students. This charter option represents roughly 4% of the county's total school landscape.

Rural Schooling with Personal Scale

The county balances 15 rural schools with nine located in town settings, providing a mix of environments. With an average school size of 391 students, the campuses tend to be smaller and more intimate than the state average. West Stanly High is the largest traditional school, followed closely by the Gray Stone Day charter campus.

Make a Home Near Exceptional Schools

Families seeking high graduation rates and a variety of school sizes will find Stanly County highly attractive. Whether you prefer a rural setting near West Stanly or a town location closer to Central Elementary, the options are plentiful. Consider school performance a key asset as you evaluate real estate in this growing county.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stanly County

via RiskByCounty

Stanly County offers below-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 58.84, Stanly County ranks in the relatively low category, sitting notably below both the state average of 66.72 and most national peers. The county's chief vulnerability is flooding (69.91) rather than wind or seismic hazards.

Among North Carolina's safer counties

Stanly's 58.84 composite score positions it in the lower half of risk exposure statewide, well below the state average of 66.72. The county's unusually low wildfire risk (24.65) is a major contributor to its relatively safe profile.

Stanly is the safest county in this regional cluster

Stanly's 58.84 score is lower than all measured neighbors—Rutherford (72.68), Surry (73.57), and Transylvania (64.25)—making it the region's safest community. This advantage is largely driven by minimal wildfire exposure and below-average tornado risk.

Flooding poses Stanly's primary natural disaster threat

Flood risk (69.91) and hurricane risk (77.60) dominate Stanly's hazard profile, while wildfire (24.65) and tornado (65.11) risks remain well below state levels. The flood risk reflects the county's proximity to rivers and streams that can swell during heavy rainfall events.

Flood insurance is the priority for Stanly residents

Stanly County residents should prioritize flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially those in mapped flood zones or near rivers and creeks. With flood risk at 69.91 and overall composite risk at 58.84, targeted flood coverage is the most cost-effective protection for this county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Stanly County

via WaterByCounty

Stanly County Struggles With Grade F

With 26 health violations, the county's rate of 53.0 per 100,000 people is much higher than the state average of 31.7. This indicates significant recurring issues with Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Watershed Assessment Not Yet Performed

Stanly County's water bodies are not currently covered in federal §303(d) assessments. We cannot determine the percentage of impaired water bodies based on existing federal records.

Thirteen Sites Tracking Water Quality

Monitoring efforts resulted in 2,010 measurements over the last five years. Agencies primarily focus on physical properties, nutrients, and major inorganic substances.

Pee Dee River Flow Hits 8 Percent

The Pee Dee River at Norwood shows a current discharge of 508 cfs. This is a dramatic drop to just 8% of its typical long-term mean flow.

High Risk Requires Extra Filtration

The Grade F compliance rating and extreme low river flow present a heightened risk for consumers. Consider using certified filtration systems to protect against potential contaminants in the supply.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Stanly County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Sunny Piedmont

Stanly County maintains an average annual temperature of 60.3°F, placing it above the national median. The climate is consistently warm and humid throughout the summer months.

Above the State Average

The county is slightly warmer than the North Carolina average of 59.3°F. Its 48.3 inches of annual rainfall is just below the state average of 51.5 inches.

Less Snow Than Northern Peers

Stanly receives only 0.8 inches of snow, which is significantly less than neighbors like Rowan or Stokes. Its 39 extreme heat days are typical for the southern Piedmont region.

Balanced Seasons and Heat

Summers are hot with 39 days over 90°F and a summer average of 77.4°F. Winter remains mild with an average temperature of 43.0°F and almost no measurable snow.

Plan for Humid Summers

Air conditioning is a necessity for the 39 days of extreme heat experienced annually. Winter weather gear is rarely needed given the extremely low annual snowfall of under one inch.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Stanly County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Acidity in Stanly

At a pH of 5.28, the soil is less acidic than many neighboring counties but still below the national 6.5 median. Local taxonomic data is currently limited, though the soil score of 19.0 suggests some agricultural challenges.

Silty Texture and Firm Structure

The soil is remarkably silty at 46.5%, paired with 18.5% clay and 31.5% sand. This mix provides a smoother feel and better nutrient retention than the sandy soils found further east.

High Water Capacity, Low Matter

Organic matter is quite low at 1.34% compared to the 5.12% state average. Fortunately, the available water capacity is high at 0.139 in/in, helping plants withstand dry spells better than in sandier regions.

Slow and Steady Drainage

Specific drainage and hydrologic groups are not listed for Stanly County. The high silt and clay content generally indicates that the soil holds moisture longer, which is beneficial for thirsty garden crops.

Vibrant Gardening in Zone 8a

The warm 8a climate is ideal for tomatoes, peppers, and summer squash. With a little added compost to boost organic matter, your silty Stanly soil can become a powerhouse of production.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Stanly County

via LawnByCounty

Balancing Stanly's Unique Lawn Needs

Stanly County scores 38.4 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it slightly more difficult than the state average of 40.8. Homeowners in this zone 8a region must work harder than the typical American to maintain a healthy green space.

Predicting Mowing Needs by the Degrees

The county averages 48.3 inches of rain, slightly less than the ideal state benchmark of 51.6 inches. With 39 days of extreme heat and 4,762 growing degree days, the mowing season is consistent and requires regular attention from late March through October.

Amending Clay-Heavy and Acidic Soils

The soil features an 18.5% clay content and a 5.28 pH, which can lead to compaction and limited nutrient uptake. Aerating regularly and applying lime are the best ways to improve the 31.5% sand foundation for better root penetration.

Weathering Long Dry Spells in Stanly

Residents have faced 32 weeks of drought in the past year, and 100.0% of the county is currently under severe drought conditions. During these stretches, allow your grass to go dormant or water deeply once a week to maintain plant crowns.

Best Grasses for the Stanly Climate

Zoysia or Bermuda grass are excellent choices for zone 8a, providing durability against heat. Planting should occur after the final spring frost on March 29 to ensure establishment before the November 4 autumn frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stanly County's county score?
Stanly County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 45.1 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 Stanly County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Stanly County ranks #46 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 Stanly County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Stanly County is $1,334, with an effective tax rate of 0.62%. This earns Stanly County a tax score of 71.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Stanly County?
The median household income in Stanly County, North Carolina is $61,631 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Stanly County earns an income score of 44/100 on CountyScore.
Is Stanly County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Stanly County scores 45.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #46 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Stanly 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 Stanly County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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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.