countyscore

Swain County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#23 in North Carolina

Explore on ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
51.6
County Score
Property Tax 92.2Cost of Living 89Weather & Climate 72.2

County Report Card

About Swain County, North Carolina

Outpacing the National Median

Swain County earns a composite score of 52.6, placing it above the national median of 50.0. Its unique mountain profile offers a lifestyle that exceeds many standard national metrics.

A Western North Carolina Leader

The county performs significantly better than the North Carolina state average of 44.7. It serves as a model for high livability in the state's more rural, scenic regions.

Top-Tier Tax and Cost Benefits

Swain dominates in affordability with a tax score of 93.8 and a cost score of 90.3. A remarkably low 0.402% effective tax rate and $715 median rent provide immense financial relief.

Healthcare and Income Gaps

The county struggles with a low health score of 11.2, suggesting limited access to medical facilities. An income score of 26.2 also highlights the need for more diverse local employment.

Paradise for Remote Workers

Swain is a perfect match for those with outside income who want to live in a low-tax, high-beauty environment. It offers an incredible cost-of-living advantage for anyone who doesn't rely on the local job market.

2040608010092.28933.211.234.81650.947.972.2Tax92.2Cost89Safety33.2Health11.2Schools34.8Income16Risk50.9Water47.9Weather72.251.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Swain County DNA

Foverall

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

Swain County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (89/100) but notably weak in Health (11.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
92.2+40.2
Cost
89+41
Safety
33.2-21.799999999999997
Health
11.2-38.8
Schools
34.8-19.200000000000003
Income
16-35
Risk
50.9
Water
47.9-10.100000000000001
Weather
72.2+16.200000000000003
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Swain County

Whether buying or refinancing in Swain County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$207,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$742/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$207,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,349/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

241.7

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Swain County with Lee County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Lee County
Illinois
Median income: $70,292
51.6
Warren County
Illinois
Median income: $67,385
51.6
Montgomery County
Indiana
Median income: $71,479
51.6
Gray County
Kansas
Median income: $79,122
51.6
Hamilton County
Kansas
Median income: $70,250
51.6
Hopkins County
Kentucky
Median income: $56,815
51.6
Clinton County
New York
Median income: $71,224
51.6
Livingston County
New York
Median income: $74,001
51.6

Nearby counties

Sevier County
Tennessee
46.5
Macon County
North Carolina
56.4
Graham County
North Carolina
54
Jackson County
North Carolina
55.6
Blount County
Tennessee
53.7
Haywood County
North Carolina
44
Cocke County
Tennessee
45.2
Clay County
North Carolina
56.3

Deep Dives

Swain County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Swain County

via CrimeByCounty

High Safety Scores in Swain County

Swain County provides a safe environment with a high safety score of 97.5. Its crime rate of 1,564.0 per 100,000 is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Swain Leads State Safety Benchmarks

The county’s safety score of 97.5 beats the North Carolina average of 96.8. Residents benefit from a crime rate that is nearly 500 points lower than the state average of 2,050.0.

Safer than Most Regional Peers

Swain’s crime rate of 1,564.0 is lower than both Stanly and Surry counties. It represents one of the safer regions in this part of North Carolina.

Violent Crime Aligns with State Averages

Violent crime sits at 332.6 per 100,000, which is nearly identical to the state average of 330.7. Property crime remains the most frequent issue at a rate of 1,231.4.

Securing Your Home Against Property Crime

Property crime accounts for the majority of local incidents, so securing doors and windows is essential. Simple deterrents like alarm stickers and cameras can effectively protect your property.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Swain County

via WeatherByCounty

Cool and Rainy Mountain Climate

Swain County's 55.2°F average temperature reflects its high-elevation mountain environment. It is much cooler than the rest of the state and receives high annual rainfall.

North Carolina's Cooler Peak

Swain is over 4 degrees cooler than the North Carolina state average of 59.3°F. It is also much wetter, receiving 56.7 inches of precipitation compared to the state's 51.5 inches.

A Rainy Regional Outlier

With 56.7 inches of rain, Swain is one of the wettest counties in the region. It records only 12 extreme heat days, which is vastly lower than any of its eastern neighbors.

Mild Summers and Snowy Winters

Extreme heat is rare here with only 12 days above 90°F and a summer average of 71.3°F. Winters are snowy, averaging 6.5 inches with a January mean of 36.4°F.

Focus on Rain and Snow

Reliable waterproof gear and winter vehicle prep are essential for the high precipitation and 6.5 inches of snow. Heavy cooling is rarely needed as extreme heat is infrequent.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Swain County

via SoilByCounty

Mountain Soil Identity

Specific pH and taxonomic data are currently unavailable for Swain County in the regional records. The diverse mountain topography often leads to a complex variety of soil types across the county.

Variable Mountain Texture

Data for sand, silt, and clay percentages is currently not listed for this area. Gardeners in this region typically find a mix of rocky and loamy soils that vary significantly by elevation.

Natural Mountain Fertility

Official organic matter and water capacity metrics are currently unavailable. Despite the lack of data, the region is known for rich forest soils that support thick natural vegetation.

Watershed and Slope Drainage

Drainage class and hydrologic group data are not recorded in the current dataset. In this mountainous terrain, drainage is usually determined by the slope and proximity to local rivers.

Gardening in Zone 7b

Swain County sits in hardiness zone 7b, which is excellent for cool-weather crops like cabbage and broccoli. Start exploring your local soil and see what your unique microclimate can produce.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Swain County

via LawnByCounty

Excellent Growing Conditions in Swain

Swain County is a standout with a lawn difficulty score of 66.6, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. Its zone 7b mountain climate provides some of the best natural conditions for turf in North Carolina.

Ample Rain and Very Few Heat Days

With a high annual precipitation of 56.7 inches and only 12 extreme heat days, lawn stress is remarkably low. The 3,430 growing degree days mean grass grows at a manageable pace, requiring less frequent mowing than in the hotter eastern counties.

Working with Natural Mountain Soil

Specific soil data for pH and texture is currently unavailable for this area, but regional mountain soils tend to be acidic. Homeowners should conduct a local soil test to determine the exact lime and nutrient needs for their specific property.

Navigating Periodic Severe Dry Spells

Despite high rainfall, 100.0% of the county is currently in severe drought after 17 dry weeks this past year. Use mulch-mowing to return clippings to the lawn, which helps retain soil moisture during these unexpected dry periods.

Thriving in the Blue Ridge Climate

Kentucky Bluegrass or Fescue blends are perfect for the cool zone 7b summers in Swain. Begin your lawn care routine after the April 17 frost and expect the primary growing window to close around October 21.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swain County's county score?
Swain County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 51.6 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 Swain County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Swain County ranks #23 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 Swain County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Swain County is $859, with an effective tax rate of 0.41%. This earns Swain County a tax score of 92.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Swain County?
The median household income in Swain County, North Carolina is $52,349 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Swain County earns an income score of 16/100 on CountyScore.
Is Swain County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Swain County scores 51.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #23 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Swain 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 Swain 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.