CountyScore

Surry County

North Carolina · NC

#35 in North Carolina
68.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Surry County, North Carolina

Surry ranks among America's most livable counties

Surry County scores 76.7 out of 100, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by an impressive 53% and establishing itself among the top tier of U.S. counties for livability. This advantage reflects consistent strength in affordability, tax efficiency, and household wages.

A top-tier North Carolina county

Surry's 76.7 score exceeds the state average of 72.7 by 4 points, making it one of North Carolina's best-performing counties. This above-average standing indicates Surry delivers quality-of-life conditions notably superior to most state peers.

Low taxes and strong housing values

Surry combines a tax score of 84.8 with an exceptionally low 0.621% effective tax rate, while its cost score of 84.7 anchors median home values at $166,400 and rents at $741/month. These aligned strengths create a fiscally efficient and affordable living environment.

Income growth lags slightly behind cost advantages

Surry's income score of 20.0 reflects a median household income of $56,095—solid but not exceptional compared to the county's affordability gains. Important data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable but will help complete the livability picture.

Strong fit for budget-conscious middle-income families

Surry County appeals to families and individuals seeking low taxes, affordable housing, and stable middle-class incomes in a balanced package. The county's coordinated strength in cost and tax efficiency makes it particularly attractive to those prioritizing financial stability and homeownership accessibility.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.8Cost84.7SafetyComing SoonHealth61.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome20Risk26.4WaterComing Soon
🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.4
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 Surry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

La Plata County
Colorado
68.7
Median income: $85,296
Butts County
Georgia
68.7
Median income: $59,221
Adams County
Indiana
68.7
Median income: $63,128
Emmet County
Iowa
68.7
Median income: $65,181
Wichita County
Kansas
68.7
Median income: $71,282

Deep Dives

Surry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Surry County

via TaxByCounty

Surry taxes rank below national median

Surry County's effective rate of 0.621% sits well below the national median rate, with homeowners paying just $1,033 annually compared to the national median of $2,690. This favorable positioning reflects both tax policy and moderate home values.

Surry rates run below state average

At 0.621%, Surry County falls slightly below North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it a moderately tax-friendly county statewide. Median taxes of $1,033 align well with state patterns.

Surry competes well regionally

Surry's 0.621% rate closely tracks Stokes (0.620%) and Stanly (0.623%), positioning it in the region's middle tier. These three counties cluster together, all below state average and above only Swain.

Your annual Surry tax bill

On a median home valued at $166,400, Surry homeowners pay approximately $1,033 annually—about $86 per month. With a mortgage, that reaches $1,152; without one, it's $926.

Surry homeowners can challenge valuations

Property tax appeals are free and straightforward in North Carolina, and many Surry residents find their assessments overstate true home values. If your property feels overvalued, contact the county assessor about filing an appeal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Surry County

via CostByCounty

Surry keeps housing costs in check

Surry County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% comfortably beats North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, reflecting a balanced housing market. On a $56,095 median household income, the $741 monthly rent remains well within manageable territory.

Well-above-average affordability statewide

At 15.8%, Surry ranks among North Carolina's more affordable counties, with renters enjoying a rent burden 2.8 percentage points below the state average. The $741 median rent falls $197 below the statewide median of $938.

Surry rents are among the lowest

Surry's $741 rent is the second-lowest in this group (after Swain's $715) and notably cheaper than Stanly ($830) and Sampson ($811). The $687 monthly owner cost is also competitive, making both renting and buying accessible here.

Housing takes less than one-sixth

Surry renters spend 15.8% of their $56,095 median income on $741/month rent—a healthy proportion. Homeowners pay $687/month, and the median home value of $166,400 offers solid entry points for buyers seeking affordability without sacrificing county income levels.

Surry: quiet affordability on the Piedmont

Considering a move? Surry County offers rents $197 below the state average and a 15.8% rent-to-income ratio that ranks among North Carolina's best. The combination of low costs and moderate incomes makes it genuinely attractive for budget-conscious relocators.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Surry County

via IncomeByCounty

Surry earns 25% below national average

Surry County's median household income of $56,095 falls $18,660 short of the national median of $74,755. This 25% gap places Surry in the bottom 35% nationally for household earnings, though above the most economically distressed rural counties. The shortfall reflects limited access to knowledge-sector employment and reliance on aging manufacturing industries.

Surry ranks middle-lower in North Carolina

At $56,095, Surry's median household income trails the North Carolina state average of $61,072 by $4,977. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. This gap suggests economic challenges common to rural piedmont counties that depend on traditional manufacturing rather than diversified, knowledge-based industries.

Below statewide peers, above eastern counties

Surry's $56,095 median income exceeds Scotland ($43,500) and Rutherford ($49,771) but falls short of Stanly ($61,631) and Transylvania ($64,523) by $5,500–$8,500. Compared to near-peers Stokes ($60,039) and Swain ($55,429), Surry ranks in the middle. This reflects Surry's position as a working-class manufacturing county without significant poverty or prosperity advantages.

Good rental affordability, moderate home costs

Surry's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% indicates solid housing affordability for renters, with meaningful budget flexibility. The median home value of $166,400 remains within reach for dual-income households, requiring roughly $65,000 in annual household income at conventional lending standards. Working families can realistically achieve homeownership while maintaining other financial priorities.

Stable employment supports patient investing

Surry's manufacturing base, while challenged, still provides stable employment that supports consistent savings habits and retirement contributions. Households can realistically allocate 8–10% of the $56,095 median to long-term wealth building without sacrificing current living standards. Even modest regular investment in low-cost index funds generates meaningful wealth accumulation over 20–30 year careers.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Surry County

via HealthByCounty

Surry's life expectancy nears national average

Residents live to 73.7 years on average—3.7 years below the U.S. average of 77.4 years. About one in five report poor or fair health, a rate better than the national average and indicative of relatively stable community wellness.

Slight gap from North Carolina baseline

At 73.7 years, Surry falls 0.7 years short of the state's 74.4-year life expectancy. The county's uninsured rate of 13.4% marginally exceeds the state average of 12.5%, suggesting minor coverage access challenges.

Mid-range performer with strong provider access

Surry's 73.7-year life expectancy ties Stokes and exceeds Rutherford, Sampson, and Scotland, but trails Stanly and Transylvania. Primary care provision is strong at 56 per 100,000 residents, supporting the county's moderate health outcomes.

Good provider availability, modest coverage gaps

Surry offers 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and reasonable mental health support at 150 per 100,000. With 13.4% uninsured, a portion of residents still lack reliable care access despite provider availability.

Close your coverage gap today

One in seven Surry residents remains uninsured, missing access to the county's solid primary care network. Check your eligibility for Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer coverage—ensuring you're covered unlocks the healthcare providers the county offers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Surry County

via RiskByCounty

Surry County faces slightly elevated disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 73.57, Surry County sits in the relatively low category but above both the state average of 66.72 and many national peers. Flood risk (77.26) and earthquake risk (69.69) are the county's primary vulnerabilities.

Above-average risk among North Carolina counties

Surry's 73.57 composite score places it above the state average of 66.72, ranking it among the higher-risk counties in North Carolina. Notably, the county has extremely low wildfire risk (28.05), providing a significant offset to its flood and earthquake exposures.

Surry is riskier than Stokes, comparable to Rutherford

Surry's 73.57 score is substantially higher than neighboring Stokes (39.73) but similar to Rutherford (72.68) just to the south. Compared to Transylvania (64.25), Surry shoulders meaningfully greater disaster exposure across most hazard categories.

Floods and earthquakes dominate Surry's risk profile

Flood risk (77.26) and earthquake risk (69.69) represent Surry's two highest hazards, each scoring in the seventies. Hurricane risk (71.51) rounds out the top three, while wildfire (28.05) remains among the state's lowest, a notable geographic advantage.

Flood and earthquake insurance recommended for Surry

Surry County residents should secure flood insurance and consider earthquake riders, as standard homeowners policies exclude both hazards and Surry's exposure is substantial. With flood and earthquake scores both exceeding 69, dual coverage offers cost-effective protection against the county's primary threats.

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.