CountyScore

Stanly County

North Carolina · NC

#28 in North Carolina
69.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Stanly County, North Carolina

Stanly delivers strong livability across the board

Stanly County scores 75.1 out of 100, beating the national median of 50.0 by a commanding 50% margin and establishing itself among the nation's more livable counties. This robust advantage reflects balanced strength across tax, cost, and income dimensions.

Well above the North Carolina state average

Stanly's 75.1 score exceeds the state average of 72.7 by more than two points, making it one of North Carolina's stronger performers. This above-average positioning signals that Stanly offers living conditions superior to most of its state peers.

Income and tax efficiency lead the way

Stanly boasts the dataset's second-highest income score at 23.6, with a median household income of $61,631 that significantly outpaces regional and national norms. A tax score of 84.8 and effective rate of 0.623% add to the appeal, creating strong household earning power paired with favorable tax treatment.

Housing costs rise with higher incomes

Stanly's cost score of 80.6 is respectable but notably lower than most peers, with median home values reaching $214,300—reflecting the reality that higher-income counties typically support higher property costs. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are not yet available and would help round out the livability assessment.

Excellent for families seeking strong incomes

Stanly County suits established families and professionals with solid incomes seeking a balanced quality of life with tax efficiency and reasonable home values. The higher median income combined with moderate housing costs creates an attractive platform for families seeking both earning potential and cost control.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax84.8Cost80.6SafetyComing SoonHealth65.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.6Risk41.2WaterComing Soon
🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Stanly County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake and Peninsula Borough
Alaska
69.7
Median income: $64,000
Chicot County
Arkansas
69.7
Median income: $39,683
Elbert County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $129,477
Park County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $95,450
Franklin County
Georgia
69.7
Median income: $52,264

Deep Dives

Stanly County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Health in Stanly County

via HealthByCounty

Stanly meets national health benchmarks

Residents live to 74.1 years on average—within 3 years of the U.S. average of 77.4 years. Just over one in five report poor or fair health, better than the national rate and lowest among several peers in this group.

Nearly aligned with North Carolina's health profile

At 74.1 years, Stanly's life expectancy is just 0.3 years below the state average of 74.4 years—essentially at parity. The county's uninsured rate of 12.6% marginally exceeds the state's 12.5%, a minor difference suggesting fairly equitable coverage.

Among the healthiest counties in the cohort

Stanly's 74.1-year life expectancy ranks in the upper half regionally, behind only Transylvania (79.1) but ahead of Rutherford (71.9), Sampson (72.7), and Scotland (69.5). Primary care availability at 38 per 100,000 is modest, though mental health support is strong at 221 per 100,000.

Mental health resources bolster community wellness

Stanly provides adequate primary care at 38 per 100,000 residents, with exceptional mental health coverage at 221 providers per 100,000—double the national average. This focus on behavioral health likely contributes to the county's relatively good health outcomes.

Maintain coverage for sustained health

With 12.6% uninsured, a small but meaningful share of Stanly residents lack coverage. Verify your health plan status annually—especially as life circumstances change—to ensure continuous access to the primary and mental health services the county offers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

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

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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