CountyScore

Transylvania County

North Carolina · NC

#12 in North Carolina
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Transylvania County, North Carolina

Transylvania scores decisively above national norm

Transylvania County's composite score of 76.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 53%, placing it among America's most livable counties. This strong performance reflects balanced advantages in tax efficiency, affordability, and household income.

A leader among North Carolina counties

At 76.6, Transylvania exceeds the state average of 72.7 by nearly 4 points, establishing it as one of North Carolina's top-performing counties for overall livability. This above-average standing signals quality-of-life conditions noticeably superior to most state peers.

Highest income and favorable tax treatment

Transylvania's income score of 25.5 is the dataset's highest, backed by a median household income of $64,523 that reflects strong earning capacity. A tax score of 89.4 and effective rate of 0.458% add tax efficiency, creating a powerful combination for household financial health.

Higher property costs reflect affluent character

Transylvania's cost score of 79.7 is the dataset's lowest, with median home values at $336,100 and rents at $909/month—the direct result of the county's higher incomes and desirable character. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are not yet available but are important for comprehensive evaluation.

Ideal for affluent families valuing quality living

Transylvania County suits established, higher-income families and professionals seeking strong earning potential paired with excellent tax efficiency and scenic quality of life. The county's profile—highest incomes combined with favorable tax policy despite premium housing costs—makes it attractive to those who can afford the real estate premium in exchange for lifestyle and financial advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.4Cost79.7SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk35.8WaterComing Soon
🏛89.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.8
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 Transylvania County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723

Deep Dives

Transylvania County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Transylvania County

via TaxByCounty

Transylvania taxes below national average

Transylvania County's effective rate of 0.458% sits well below the national median, with homeowners paying $1,539 annually versus the national median of $2,690. The higher median tax reflects Transylvania's significantly higher median home values.

Transylvania ranks among state's lowest

At 0.458%, Transylvania County ranks well below North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it one of the state's most tax-advantaged counties. This favorable rate reflects both tax policy and the county's high-value property base.

Transylvania offers competitive tax rates

Transylvania's 0.458% rate ranks second-lowest regionally, behind only Swain (0.402%) and well below all other nearby counties. Combined with higher home values, this creates distinct pricing dynamics within the region.

Your annual Transylvania tax bill

On a median home valued at $336,100, Transylvania homeowners pay approximately $1,539 annually—about $128 per month. With a mortgage, that reaches $1,622; without one, it's $1,468.

Transylvania homeowners can verify fairness

Even in tax-friendly counties, homeowners benefit from verifying their assessments reflect current market values. If your Transylvania home's valuation seems high relative to recent comparable sales, file a free appeal with the assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Transylvania County

via CostByCounty

Transylvania: luxury housing, solid affordability

Transylvania County has the region's highest median home value at $336,100, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% remains better than North Carolina's 18.6% average. The county's $64,523 median income supports these premium property values comfortably.

Pricey homes, but affordable ratios

Transylvania's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average, demonstrating that higher home values here align with proportionally higher incomes. At $909/month median rent, the cost is higher than most peers, yet the earnings support it well.

Premium properties on premium incomes

Transylvania's $909 rent is the region's highest, reflecting its status as a desirable mountain destination with strong income support ($64,523). The median home value of $336,100 dramatically exceeds Sampson ($128,400) or Scotland ($109,900), positioning it as the region's luxury market.

Higher costs, but higher earning power

Transylvania renters spend 16.9% of their $64,523 income on $909/month rent—a higher cost balanced by higher incomes. Homeowners pay $808/month, and the $336,100 median home value reflects Transylvania's status as the region's most expensive and desirable county.

Transylvania for those seeking premium

If you're relocating with above-average income and seek mountain living with higher-end properties, Transylvania's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio shows the market is actually quite sustainable. Compare your income to the $64,523 median: if you exceed it, Transylvania's premium becomes genuine value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Transylvania County

via IncomeByCounty

Transylvania earns 14% below national median

Transylvania County's median household income of $64,523 trails the national median of $74,755 by $10,232, representing a 14% gap. This positions Transylvania as the highest-earning county among these eight and places it squarely in the middle tier nationally. The county's mountain location and strong tourism economy support above-average household earnings for rural North Carolina.

Transylvania above state average income

At $64,523, Transylvania's median household income exceeds the North Carolina state average of $61,072 by $3,451. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. Transylvania's position reflects its distinct character as a prosperous mountain tourism destination with higher property values and professional employment.

Highest-earning among all peer counties

Transylvania's $64,523 median income significantly exceeds all comparison counties, leading Stanly ($61,631) by $2,892 and surpassing Stokes ($60,039) by $4,484. The gap grows to $9,000+ versus Surry, Swain, and Rutherford. This clear income leadership reflects Transylvania's mountain tourism appeal and higher concentration of professional and service workers earning above-average wages.

Strong income, but steep home prices

Transylvania's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% indicates solid housing affordability for renters with meaningful budget flexibility. However, the median home value of $336,100—the highest among these eight counties—creates real homeownership barriers requiring household incomes well above the county median. This reflects Transylvania's attractive mountain real estate market driving property appreciation.

Highest earners position for aggressive wealth building

Transylvania households at the $64,523 median can comfortably allocate 12–15% of income to retirement savings while maintaining robust living standards. The county's higher per-capita income of $38,899—the strongest among all eight counties—suggests multiple earners and professional occupations with pension and 401(k) access. Combined with home equity appreciation in a desirable market, Transylvania households build generational wealth most effectively.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Transylvania County

via HealthByCounty

Transylvania's health outcomes exceed national average

Residents live to 79.1 years on average—nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 77.4 years. Only one in seven report poor or fair health, well below national rates and the healthiest profile in this county cohort.

Outpacing North Carolina's health benchmarks

At 79.1 years, Transylvania's life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years by 4.7 years—a substantial advantage. The county's uninsured rate of 13.6% slightly exceeds the state's 12.5%, a minor gap that hasn't hindered strong health outcomes.

Healthiest county in the entire region

Transylvania's 79.1-year life expectancy surpasses all peers by 4+ years, with the next nearest being Stanly (74.1 years). The county provides the highest primary care density at 66 per 100,000 and exceptional mental health coverage at 334 per 100,000.

Excellence in provider access and community health

Transylvania delivers 66 primary care and 334 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the richest healthcare resources in North Carolina. This provider abundance, paired with strong health outcomes, reflects a community deeply invested in wellness and accessible care.

Maintain coverage to sustain excellent health

With 13.6% uninsured, Transylvania still has coverage gaps despite exceptional health outcomes. Keep your insurance active—you're in a county with outstanding healthcare resources, and continuous coverage ensures you fully leverage them for a long, healthy life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Transylvania County

via RiskByCounty

Transylvania County carries moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 64.25, Transylvania County sits near the state average of 66.72 in the relatively low risk category. The county faces balanced exposure across multiple hazards, with no single threat dominating the overall profile.

Risk mirrors North Carolina state average profile

Transylvania's 64.25 composite score sits just below the state average of 66.72, positioning it near the middle of North Carolina's risk distribution. The county's mountain location provides some protection against tornadoes (52.61) while maintaining vulnerability to floods (67.11) and hurricanes (59.95).

Transylvania sits between safe and risky neighbors

Transylvania's 64.25 score places it between safer Swain (49.11) and riskier counties like Rutherford (72.68) and Surry (73.57). The county is slightly riskier than Stokes (39.73) but offers meaningfully better risk profile than Sampson (90.20).

Floods and earthquakes pose top threats to Transylvania

Flood risk (67.11) and earthquake risk (61.64) are Transylvania's two highest hazards, each scoring in the sixties. Hurricane risk (59.95) and tornado risk (52.61) remain moderate, while wildfire (43.96) risk is relatively low, reflecting the county's mountain forests and moisture levels.

Flood insurance recommended for Transylvania residents

Transylvania residents should secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly those near mountain streams and in flood-prone valleys. With composite risk at 64.25 and flood risk at 67.11, targeted flood coverage is the single most important protection for this mountain community.

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.