CountyScore

Vance County

North Carolina · NC

#51 in North Carolina
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Vance County, North Carolina

Vance scores 44 points above nation

Vance County's composite score of 72.4 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, establishing it as a highly livable U.S. county. This advantage is powered by exceptional affordability and reasonable tax burdens.

Right at North Carolina's average

Vance ties nearly perfectly with the state average at 72.4 versus 72.7, ranking it second among the eight counties profiled. This consistency indicates a county that mirrors the state's overall livability profile.

Cost and tax efficiency shine

Vance excels with a cost score of 81.6, offering a median home value of $146,300 and rent at just $860/month. The county's tax score of 79.6 and effective rate of 0.806% reinforce its affordability advantage.

Income growth remains limited

The income score of 14.0 reflects a median household income of $46,943, significantly below regional peers. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and water quality is not yet available.

Perfect for cost-conscious working families

Vance County suits working families seeking affordable housing and low taxes without requiring high incomes. If you earn a modest income and prioritize financial stability over maximum earning potential, Vance delivers reliable livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.6Cost81.6SafetyComing SoonHealth57.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome14Risk51.6WaterComing Soon
🏛79.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.6
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 Vance County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Vance County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Vance County

via TaxByCounty

Vance's tax rate tops national median

Vance County's effective tax rate of 0.806% exceeds the national median of 0.712% by roughly 13%, placing it in the higher-tax tier nationwide. The median annual property tax of $1,179 remains well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's more modest home values of $146,300.

Vance ranks above North Carolina average

At 0.806%, Vance's effective rate surpasses North Carolina's state average of 0.701% by 15%, positioning it among the higher-taxed counties in the state. The median property tax of $1,179 falls notably below the state median of $1,433 due to lower home valuations.

Vance taxes exceed most regional peers

Vance's 0.806% rate runs higher than Union (0.614%), Wake (0.715%), and Watauga (0.415%), but remains lower than Tyrrell (0.891%) and Washington (1.123%). Among central North Carolina counties, Vance carries a above-average tax burden on homeowners.

A $146,300 home costs $1,179 yearly

The typical Vance homeowner with a median-valued home of $146,300 pays approximately $1,179 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.806% rate. Those with mortgages pay an estimated $1,240 per year, while owners without mortgages pay around $1,113.

Overassessments may be correctable

Vance County homeowners facing higher-than-expected tax bills should check whether their property assessment aligns with recent sales of comparable homes. Filing an appeal with your assessor's office could result in a lower valuation and meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Vance County

via CostByCounty

Vance Renters Face Above-Average Burden

At 22.0%, Vance County's rent-to-income ratio sits 3.4 percentage points above North Carolina's average and significantly above national norms. With median household income of $46,943—37% below the national average—residents here stretch limited earnings toward median rent of $860.

Vance Struggles With Affordability Gap

Vance County ranks among North Carolina's least affordable areas for renters, with a 22.0% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds the state average of 18.6%. The combination of below-average wages and above-average rents creates a significant affordability squeeze.

Pricier Than Rural Counties, Lower Wages

Vance's $860 rent sits between Tyrrell ($612) and Washington County ($829), yet the county's $46,943 median income underperforms both neighbors. This mismatch creates above-average rent burden despite modest absolute housing costs.

One-Fifth of Income Goes to Rent

Renters in Vance spend $860 monthly (22.0% of income) while homeowners pay $742 (15.8% of income), showing a notable rental disadvantage. The disparity suggests more affordable homeownership but highlights risks for renters facing wage stagnation.

Vance Offers Value, But Wages Matter Most

Vance County's $860 median rent is reasonable in isolation, but the 22.0% rent-to-income ratio signals tight budgets for local wage earners. Consider this county only if you can secure employment significantly above the area median or have external income sources.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Vance County

via IncomeByCounty

Vance income trails national average

Vance County's median household income of $46,943 is 37% below the national median of $74,755. Like other rural North Carolina counties, Vance faces economic headwinds from limited high-wage employment sectors.

Below-average income for North Carolina

Vance ranks in the lower quartile of North Carolina counties at $46,943, earning 23% less than the state average of $61,072. The county's economy relies on agriculture, manufacturing, and smaller service industries.

Mixed fortunes among neighbors

Vance's $46,943 edges above Warren County ($45,279) but lags Wayne County ($58,082) and the state average. Its per capita income of $27,223 reflects income inequality challenges across the county.

Housing costs strain some households

Vance's rent-to-income ratio of 22% indicates housing consumes a notable but still manageable portion of earnings, above the county median for North Carolina. A median home value of $146,300 remains within reach for households near the county median income.

Start small, think long-term

Even modest incomes support wealth building through automatic savings and low-cost investment accounts. Community banks and credit unions in Vance offer financial literacy programs and affordable tools to help households build emergency reserves and retirement savings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Vance County

via HealthByCounty

Vance faces severe health challenges

Vance County residents live just 70.1 years, nearly 3.3 years below the U.S. average of 73.4 and 4.3 years below North Carolina's 74.4 years. Nearly one in four (23.1%) report poor or fair health, reflecting a county struggling with chronic disease, preventable illness, and early mortality. These statistics demand urgent community and healthcare attention.

NC's lowest life expectancy county

Vance's 70.1-year life expectancy ranks at the bottom of North Carolina, trailing the state average by 4.3 years. Its 23.1% poor/fair health rate is the highest among the eight profiled counties and signals widespread health distress. Vance faces compounding challenges: premature mortality, chronic disease burden, and limited healthcare access.

Isolated by geography and health

Vance's 70.1 years is dramatically lower than nearby Watauga (79.4 years) and Warren (73.0 years), reflecting regional disparities in health outcomes. However, Vance has invested in mental health: 298 providers per 100,000 residents is the second-highest among the eight counties. Primary care coverage lags at just 38 providers per 100,000, creating a mental health surplus without adequate primary care foundation.

Uninsured and under-resourced

Vance's 13.1% uninsured rate tops North Carolina's average of 12.5%, meaning roughly 2,200 residents lack coverage. With only 38 primary care providers per 100,000—less than half the Union County rate—residents face significant barriers to preventive care and early disease detection. The combination of uninsured status and sparse primary care access fuels the county's poor health outcomes.

Coverage is your first step forward

With 13.1% uninsured and limited primary care access, getting covered through Medicaid or Marketplace plans is critical for Vance residents. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore coverage options tailored to your income. Insurance is your gateway to the preventive care and routine screenings that can add years to your life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Vance County

via RiskByCounty

Vance ranks below-average on disaster risk

Vance County's composite risk score of 48.38 qualifies as Relatively Low, placing it well below the national average. The county enjoys a safer overall profile compared to most U.S. counties when it comes to natural hazard exposure.

Among North Carolina's safest counties

At 48.38, Vance scores substantially below North Carolina's average of 66.72, ranking among the state's lower-risk counties. This protective position reflects the county's location away from major tornado and coastal hazard zones.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Vance County (48.38) compares favorably to Warren County (50.76) and significantly outpaces Union County's dangerous 89.06. Its position in the North Carolina Piedmont keeps it away from coastal surge and extreme windstorm corridors.

Tornados and hurricanes present primary hazards

Tornado risk reaches 63.93 in Vance, while hurricane risk scores 79.06—both well above other hazard exposures in the county. Flood risk remains moderate at 55.22, reflecting typical Piedmont drainage patterns.

Prepare for severe convection and wind

Vance residents should invest in a safe room or sturdy shelter for tornado protection and secure roof reinforcement against severe winds. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind and hail damage, but verify coverage limits for high winds.

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.