CountyScore

Swain County

North Carolina · NC

#22 in North Carolina
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Swain County, North Carolina

Swain achieves exceptional national livability ranking

Swain County's composite score of 80.9 shatters the national median of 50.0, delivering a stunning 62% advantage that places it in the elite tier of American counties. This outstanding performance reflects exceptional tax efficiency and housing affordability.

North Carolina's strongest livability county

At 80.9, Swain dramatically exceeds the state average of 72.7 by more than 8 points, making it the highest-scoring county in this dataset. This commanding lead establishes Swain as a premier livability destination within North Carolina.

Unmatched tax rates and rental affordability

Swain's tax score of 91.0 is the dataset's highest, reflecting a remarkable 0.402% effective tax rate—less than half the state average. Its cost score of 88.6 pairs with the lowest median gross rent at $715/month, creating extraordinary affordability despite moderate home values.

Income levels moderate the overall advantage

Swain's income score of 19.6 reflects median household income of $55,429, which while reasonable, is lower than some peer counties with strong composite scores. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are not yet available but would enrich understanding of the full livability profile.

Outstanding for cost-conscious families

Swain County is exceptional for retirees, remote workers, and families where minimizing living expenses is paramount—the combination of historically low taxes and rental costs is unmatched. The county's standout efficiency in cost and tax dimensions makes it one of North Carolina's most economically advantageous places to live.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91Cost88.6SafetyComing SoonHealth49.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk50.9WaterComing Soon
🏛91
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤49.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50.9
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 Swain County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fremont County
Colorado
70.6
Median income: $61,027
Chattahoochee County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $59,221
Jones County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $68,259
Jerome County
Idaho
70.6
Median income: $69,338
Jefferson County
Indiana
70.6
Median income: $59,987

Deep Dives

Swain County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Swain County

via TaxByCounty

Swain offers North Carolina's best rates

Swain County's effective rate of 0.402% ranks among the lowest in the nation, dramatically below the national median rate. Homeowners pay just $844 annually—roughly one-third the national median tax of $2,690.

Swain ranks lowest in North Carolina

At 0.402%, Swain County has North Carolina's lowest effective tax rate, well below the state average of 0.701%. This significant advantage makes Swain exceptionally tax-friendly within the state.

Swain leads region with lowest taxes

Swain's 0.402% rate substantially undercuts all nearby counties, including Transylvania (0.458%), Rutherford (0.582%), Stokes (0.620%), Surry (0.621%), Stanly (0.623%), Sampson (0.819%), and Scotland (0.909%). This exceptional advantage reflects Swain's unique tax structure.

Your annual Swain tax bill

On a median home valued at $209,800, Swain homeowners pay approximately $844 annually—just $70 per month. With a mortgage, that reaches $941; without one, it's $808.

Even Swain residents can appeal taxes

Despite Swain's already-low rates, homeowners who believe their assessments exceed fair market value can still file free appeals. Overassessment can occur anywhere, and verifying your valuation against recent sales protects your interests.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Swain County

via CostByCounty

Swain rents are North Carolina's lowest

Swain County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% sits comfortably below North Carolina's 18.6% average, and its median rent of $715/month is the lowest in this entire dataset. For renters earning $55,429 annually, Swain delivers genuine affordability.

Lowest rents in the state sample

At just $715/month, Swain's median rent is $223 below the North Carolina state average of $938, while the 15.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks well above the state average. This positions Swain as exceptionally affordable by state standards.

Swain dominates on rental affordability

Swain's $715 rent beats every comparable county—Stokes ($766), Surry ($741), Sampson ($811), and others by significant margins. The standout is the $464/month owner cost, the region's lowest, reflecting Swain's unique combination of ultra-affordable housing.

Mountain living at remarkably low cost

Swain renters dedicate just 15.5% of their $55,429 income to $715/month rent—excellent by any standard. Homeowners pay an astonishingly low $464/month, though the median home value of $209,800 suggests strong property appreciation potential.

Swain: mountain bargain you won't find elsewhere

Relocating to Swain County means claiming North Carolina's lowest rents ($715/month) and owner costs ($464/month). If mountain living and exceptional affordability appeal to you, Swain delivers both—though demand for this rare combination is rising.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Swain County

via IncomeByCounty

Swain trails national income by 26%

Swain County's median household income of $55,429 falls $19,326 short of the national median of $74,755. This 26% gap places Swain in the bottom 35% nationally, though ahead of the most economically distressed rural regions. The disparity reflects Swain's dependence on tourism, forestry, and limited higher-wage employment sectors.

Swain below average for North Carolina

At $55,429, Swain's median household income trails the North Carolina state average of $61,072 by $5,643. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. Swain's economy, centered on tourism and natural resources rather than diversified manufacturing or services, limits wage growth opportunities.

Comparable to rural piedmont counties

Swain's $55,429 median income sits between Surry ($56,095) and Rutherford ($49,771), placing it in the lower-middle range among these eight counties. Compared to Transylvania ($64,523), also in the mountains, Swain earns roughly $9,000 less annually. This income gap reflects differences in tourism market strength and proximity to higher-wage regional employment centers.

Affordable housing supports financial stability

Swain's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% ranks among the healthiest of all eight counties, enabling meaningful household savings capacity. The median home value of $209,800, while higher than Surry and Rutherford, reflects mountain real estate desirability and remains accessible for households with modest savings. This combination allows Swain families to pursue homeownership without excessive housing cost burden.

Seasonal income requires strategic planning

Swain's tourism-dependent economy often creates seasonal income fluctuations, making disciplined savings during peak seasons essential for year-round stability. Households should build emergency reserves covering 3–6 months of expenses before investing aggressively. Tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs allow even modest annual contributions to accumulate substantially, cushioning against seasonal employment volatility.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Swain County

via HealthByCounty

Swain faces severe life expectancy challenges

At 67.3 years, Swain's life expectancy is approximately 10 years below the U.S. average of 77.4 years—the lowest in this county group. More than one in five residents report poor or fair health, reflecting a health crisis within this small mountain community.

Deepest health burden below state average

Swain's 67.3-year life expectancy lags North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years by 7.1 years—a stark disparity. The county's uninsured rate of 19.4% more than doubles the state's 12.5%, the highest in the entire cohort.

Struggling most despite exceptional provider access

Swain's 67.3-year life expectancy is the lowest regionally—10+ years below Transylvania (79.1) and significantly worse than peers like Rutherford (71.9) and Stanly (74.1). Yet the county offers the most robust provider networks: 64 primary care and 417 mental health providers per 100,000—exceptional resources that suggest barriers beyond simple supply.

Abundant providers, massive coverage crisis

Swain leads all counties with 417 mental health providers per 100,000 residents and 64 primary care providers—remarkable capacity that should deliver excellent care. Yet nearly one in five Swain residents lack any health insurance, preventing them from accessing these available resources.

Insurance access is urgent in Swain County

Nearly one in five Swain residents (19.4%) are uninsured—a crisis rate far above state and regional averages. Despite exceptional provider availability, uninsured residents cannot access care; apply for Medicaid or marketplace coverage immediately to connect with the county's abundant health resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Swain County

via RiskByCounty

Swain County enjoys low natural disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 49.11, Swain County sits well below both the state average of 66.72 and most national peers, earning a relatively low risk rating. The county's mountainous terrain and interior location provide natural protection against coastal and wind-driven hazards.

Below-average risk among North Carolina counties

Swain's 49.11 score places it among North Carolina's safest communities, sitting substantially below the state average of 66.72. The county's low tornado risk (35.43) is particularly notable, reflecting the protective effects of Appalachian geography.

Swain is safer than most regional neighbors

Swain's 49.11 score is lower than Transylvania (64.25), Rutherford (72.68), and all other measured counties in the region. The county's mountain location provides advantages that translate directly into reduced disaster vulnerability.

Floods represent Swain's primary natural disaster risk

Flood risk (62.50) is Swain's highest hazard score, likely reflecting the county's mountain streams and elevation changes. Wildfire (60.31) and earthquake (63.39) risks are moderate, while tornado (35.43) and hurricane (54.15) risks remain well below state averages.

Flood insurance is Swain's main coverage priority

Swain County residents should focus on flood insurance for stream and flash flood protection, particularly those in mountain valleys or near watercourses. With overall composite risk at 49.11 and flood risk at 62.50, targeted flood coverage provides the most critical protection for this mountain community.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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