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Stokes County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#4 in North Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
63.2
County Score
Safety 94.8Property Tax 72.5Cost of Living 69.5

County Report Card

About Stokes County, North Carolina

Exceeding the National Benchmark

Stokes County achieves a high 62.4 composite score, easily surpassing the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the top tier of counties in the dataset for overall quality of life.

A Statewide Performance Leader

With a score far above the North Carolina average of 44.7, Stokes is a standout performer in the state. It offers a superior combination of safety and financial stability compared to most neighbors.

Elite Safety and Low Tax Burden

The county boasts an exceptional safety score of 94.8, one of the highest in the region. Combined with a tax score of 72.0 and an effective tax rate of 0.620%, it is both secure and affordable.

Room to Improve Education

Despite its overall success, the county's school score sits at 31.4, indicating a need for more investment in local education. The income score of 39.1 also shows room for higher-wage job development.

The Ultimate Safe Haven

Stokes County is the premier choice for families where personal safety and low taxes are the top priorities. It provides a peaceful, secure environment that is becoming increasingly rare in high-growth states.

2040608010072.569.594.843.931.442.760.353.966.8Tax72.5Cost69.5Safety94.8Health43.9Schools31.4Income42.7Risk60.3Water53.9Weather66.863.2/100
This county
National avg
5 above average1 below average

Stokes County DNA

D+overall

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

Stokes County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (94.8/100) but notably weak in Schools (31.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
72.5+20.5
Cost
69.5+21.5
Safety
94.8+39.8
Health
43.9
Schools
31.4-22.6
Income
42.7-8.299999999999997
Risk
60.3+13.299999999999997
Water
53.9
Weather
66.8+10.799999999999997
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$196,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$775/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$196,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,969/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.1

per 100K

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

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Nearby counties

Patrick County
Virginia
58.9
Henry County
Virginia
51.6
Forsyth County
North Carolina
34
Surry County
North Carolina
50.2
Rockingham County
North Carolina
39.2
Martinsville city
Virginia
44.1
Yadkin County
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50.6
Floyd County
Virginia
70

Deep Dives

Stokes County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stokes County

via TaxByCounty

Stokes homeowners pay well below nation

Stokes County's effective rate of 0.620% sits below the national median rate, with homeowners paying $1,158 annually versus the national median of $2,690. This tax advantage reflects both rate and home values in the region.

Stokes rates below North Carolina average

At 0.620%, Stokes County undercuts North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, placing it among the state's more tax-friendly counties. Median taxes of $1,158 reflect Stokes's moderate home values.

Stokes aligns with nearby county rates

Stokes's 0.620% rate closely matches Surry (0.621%) and Stanly (0.623%), positioning it squarely in the regional middle tier. Only Swain (0.402%) offers significantly lower rates nearby.

Your annual Stokes tax bill

On a median home valued at $186,800, Stokes homeowners pay approximately $1,158 annually—about $97 per month. With a mortgage, that reaches $1,252; without one, it's $1,038.

Stokes residents can appeal assessments

Across North Carolina, overassessment remains common, and Stokes homeowners can file free appeals if they believe valuations are inflated. Documenting recent comparable sales strengthens your case with the county assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stokes County

via IncomeByCounty

Stokes income trails national average slightly

Stokes County's median household income of $60,039 falls $14,716 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a roughly 20% gap. This places Stokes in the middle-lower tier nationally, ahead of most rural and struggling counties but behind prosperous suburban and metro regions. The county's economy shows moderate health relative to many rural North Carolina peers.

Stokes slightly below state average rank

At $60,039, Stokes's median household income edges below the North Carolina state average of $61,072 by about $1,000. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties, just shy of statewide parity. This near-average position reflects Stokes's character as a stable, working-class rural county without significant poverty concentrations.

Competitive with piedmont manufacturing belt

Stokes's $60,039 trails Stanly ($61,631) by a narrow $1,600 but exceeds Surry ($56,095) and Rutherford ($49,771) by substantial margins. Compared to Transylvania ($64,523), Stokes lags by $4,500, reflecting the latter's distinct mountain economy. Stokes's income position aligns it with stable, manufacturing-dependent piedmont counties.

Rents affordable, homeownership accessible

Stokes's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% ranks among the healthiest of all eight counties, signaling genuine housing affordability for renters. The median home value of $186,800 sits within reach for two-income households and those with modest down payments at conventional mortgage rates. This favorable housing ratio leaves meaningful room in household budgets for savings and investment.

Strong position for long-term wealth building

Stokes households earning $60,039 can comfortably save 10–12% of income annually—$6,000–$7,200—for retirement, college, and home equity. The favorable rent-to-income ratio means more households can pursue homeownership and benefit from automatic equity building. Manufacturing employment often includes pension access, further strengthening retirement security when combined with disciplined personal savings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Stokes County

via CrimeByCounty

Stokes County Achieves Perfect Safety Score

Stokes County reports a perfect 100.0 safety score according to 2022 data from two reporting agencies. Its total crime rate of just 4.5 per 100,000 is nearly non-existent compared to the national average of 2,385.5.

The Gold Standard for State Safety

Stokes far exceeds the North Carolina average safety score of 96.8. This minimal level of reported crime makes it one of the most secure counties in the entire state.

A Calm Alternative to Regional Neighbors

While neighboring Surry County reports a crime rate of 1,730.4, Stokes remains exceptionally quiet at 4.5. This low activity level provides a uniquely tranquil environment for residents.

Minimal Property Incidents and No Violent Crime

The county reported zero violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2022. The entire crime rate consists of a negligible 4.5 property crimes per 100,000 people.

Vigilance Even in Very Safe Areas

Low numbers are great, but maintaining them requires residents to stay aware and report unusual activity. Basic home security measures are still recommended to prevent opportunistic incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Stokes County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate Northern Piedmont Climate

Stokes County averages 57.8°F annually, which is closer to the national median than most of North Carolina. It features four distinct seasons with a noticeable winter presence.

Cooler Than the State Average

The county's average temperature is 1.5 degrees lower than the North Carolina average of 59.3°F. It receives 47.3 inches of precipitation, slightly less than the state average.

Snowier Than Southern Neighbors

Stokes receives 7.4 inches of snow annually, which is significantly higher than Rowan or Stanly. It also enjoys fewer extreme heat days than the counties to its south.

Colder Winters and Moderate Heat

Winter temperatures average 40.1°F, bringing more snow than much of the state. Summers are warm but moderated, with 34 days of extreme heat and a July average of 77.4°F.

Equip for Winter Snow

With over 7 inches of annual snow, residents should keep shovels and winter tires ready. The 34 days of extreme heat also require reliable indoor cooling during the peak of summer.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Stokes County

via SoilByCounty

Weathered Piedmont Ultisols

Stokes County features Ultisols with a pH of 5.29, which is slightly more alkaline than the state average of 5.14. These are old, weathered soils typical of the Piedmont region.

Channery Fine Sandy Loam

The dominant texture is a Channery fine sandy loam, composed of 60.6% sand and 16.8% clay. This provides a gritty yet structured soil that is easy to till while resisting heavy compaction.

Reliable Water for Plants

Organic matter is low at 1.55%, falling below the state benchmark of 5.12%. However, the available water capacity of 0.136 in/in is strong, providing a steady supply of moisture to roots.

Well Drained for Healthy Roots

The soil is classified as well drained and belongs to hydrologic group B. This means it has a moderate infiltration rate, making it excellent for farming and residential gardening without drainage issues.

Diverse Planting in Zone 7b

The 7b hardiness zone is perfect for everything from kale to berries. Take advantage of the well-drained loams in Stokes County and start your garden this season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Stokes County

via LawnByCounty

Stokes County Leads in Growing Ease

Stokes County earns a difficulty score of 51.7, making it easier to maintain a lawn here than in most of North Carolina. This score puts the county just above the national median, offering a more forgiving environment in hardiness zone 7b.

Cooler Summers Benefit Local Turf

With only 34 extreme heat days—below the state average of 38—lawns here suffer less summer burnout. Annual precipitation of 47.3 inches provides a solid foundation, though it is slightly lower than the state average of 51.6 inches.

Working with Well-Drained Sandy Loam

The soil is classified as a well-drained channery fine sandy loam with 60.6% sand. While the 5.29 pH is acidic, the good drainage prevents many root rot issues common in heavier clay soils found elsewhere in the state.

Moderate Drought Challenges for Stokes

The county spent 22 weeks in drought last year, with 70.7% of the area currently facing severe conditions. Because the soil is well-drained, lawns may show drought stress faster, necessitating proactive watering during dry weeks.

Timing Your Stokes County Planting

Tall Fescue thrives in zone 7b and benefits from the 4,161 growing degree days available here. Wait for the last frost on April 11 before major spring work, and prepare for the growing season to wind down by October 30.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stokes County's county score?
Stokes County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 63.2 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 Stokes County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Stokes County ranks #4 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 Stokes County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Stokes County is $1,179, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Stokes County a tax score of 72.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Stokes County?
The median household income in Stokes County, North Carolina is $62,969 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Stokes County earns an income score of 42.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Stokes County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Stokes County scores 63.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #4 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Stokes 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 Stokes 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.