CountyScore

Yancey County

North Carolina · NC

#5 in North Carolina
73.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Yancey County, North Carolina

Yancey Ranks Among America's Most Livable Counties

Yancey County's composite score of 78.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 56%, ranking it among the top-performing counties nationally on livability measures. This exceptional score is driven primarily by outstanding tax advantages and strong cost affordability.

Yancey Leads North Carolina on Livability Index

At 78.0, Yancey County significantly outpaces the North Carolina state average of 72.7, establishing it as the highest-ranked among these four regional counties. This leadership position reflects the county's particular mastery of tax efficiency and housing affordability.

Lowest Taxes in the Region; Highly Affordable

Yancey County boasts the region's lowest effective tax rate at 0.476%, earning it an exceptional tax score of 88.9—the highest among all four counties. A cost score of 84.5 and median home value of $222,300 provide flexibility for buyers seeking both affordability and some room for property investment.

Income Potential and Service Data Remain Gaps

An income score of 19.3 with median household income of $54,961 suggests moderate earnings relative to housing costs and regional alternatives. Safety, health, school, risk, and water quality data are unavailable, leaving gaps in understanding the county's full livability profile.

Perfect for Tax-Conscious Homeowners and Retirees

Yancey County is ideal for residents prioritizing tax minimization and affordable homeownership, particularly retirees on fixed incomes or those with flexible remote work arrangements. Its combination of the region's lowest taxes and strong affordability make it the standout choice for fiscal conservatism.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.9Cost84.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.3Risk57.8WaterComing Soon
🏛88.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57.8
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 Yancey County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Caldwell County
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Clinton County
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Cumberland County
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Median income: $39,662

Deep Dives

Yancey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Yancey County

via TaxByCounty

Yancey offers the lowest national tax rate

Yancey County's effective tax rate of 0.476% ranks among the lowest in the nation, far below the national median property tax of $2,690 on a $281,900 home. Residents here pay roughly 60% less in annual property taxes than the typical American homeowner.

North Carolina's friendliest tax rate

Yancey County's 0.476% effective rate is significantly lower than North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it one of the most tax-favorable counties in the state. The median tax bill of $1,058 undercuts the state median by $375, offering substantial savings.

Yancey leads regional affordability

Yancey County's 0.476% rate is the lowest among nearby northwestern North Carolina counties, beating Wilkes County's 0.621%, Yadkin County's 0.686%, and Wilson County's 0.831%. This makes Yancey a notable tax haven regionally.

Your annual Yancey tax bill

On Yancey County's median home value of $222,300, property owners pay approximately $1,058 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay around $1,192, while those without mortgages pay roughly $943.

Still worth checking your assessment

Despite Yancey's low overall tax rate, individual homeowners may still be overassessed compared to market value. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor is a simple way to confirm your property is valued fairly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Yancey County

via CostByCounty

Yancey holds its own nationally

Yancey County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% sits solidly below the national average, offering renters reasonable housing costs relative to earnings. With median household income of $54,961 against median rent of $807/month, Yancey delivers affordability that aligns with national standards.

Below-average housing burden in NC

At 17.6%, Yancey County's rent-to-income ratio undercuts the North Carolina state average of 18.6%, positioning it among the state's more affordable counties for renters. This advantage holds even as Yancey maintains the region's highest median home value at $222,300.

Yancey offers affordable homes with value

Yancey County renters enjoy the second-best rent-to-income ratio (17.6%) in this comparison, while homeowners benefit from a median home value of $222,300—the highest among these four counties. This suggests strong property appreciation potential alongside current affordability.

Modest rent, reasonable owner costs

Yancey County households allocate $807 monthly for rent or $618 for mortgage payments against a $54,961 annual median income ($4,580/month). Renters spend 17.6% of income on housing while homeowners commit just 13.5%, leaving substantial resources for other needs.

Yancey: affordability with equity growth

Relocating to Yancey County means accessing affordable rent and mortgages while positioning yourself in a housing market with strong appreciation potential—the region's highest median home values signal investor confidence. Compare Yancey's mountain lifestyle and job market to neighboring Wilkes and Yadkin, knowing your housing dollars stretch farther here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yancey County

via IncomeByCounty

Yancey income trails U.S. median

Yancey County's median household income of $54,961 falls $19,794 below the national median of $74,755, a 26% shortfall that reflects limited high-wage employment. Despite this gap, Yancey performs better than Wilkes and Wilson, suggesting a more diversified mountain economy.

Below state average but competitive

Yancey's $54,961 median sits $6,111 below North Carolina's state median of $61,072, placing the county in the lower half statewide. However, the modest gap suggests Yancey has stronger economic fundamentals than many rural counties, likely bolstered by tourism and mountain-related industries.

Mid-range earner in this group

Yancey earns more than Wilkes ($50,438) and Wilson ($51,381) but less than Yadkin ($60,321), positioning it as the third-strongest county among these four. This ranking reflects Yancey's mountain location and seasonal economy, which creates both opportunities and income volatility.

Moderate rent costs, high home prices

Yancey's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% is manageable, but the median home value of $222,300 is the highest among these four counties—a steep price relative to household income. This gap signals that homeownership may be financially challenging for typical Yancey households despite strong mountain property appeal.

Plan before buying mountain property

Yancey's booming home values create wealth for current owners but can trap renters in a high-cost housing market relative to income. Before purchasing, households should ensure a solid down payment fund (20% minimum) and stable income to avoid stretching budgets to the breaking point.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Yancey County

via HealthByCounty

Yancey County outpaces national averages

Yancey County residents live an average of 76.0 years, nearly 3 years longer than the U.S. average of 79.2 years and the longest lifespan among these four counties. Only 16.8% of adults report being in poor or fair health, the lowest rate in this cohort and well below the national average of 18%, suggesting a healthier, more resilient population.

Among North Carolina's healthiest counties

Yancey County's life expectancy of 76.0 years exceeds North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years by 1.6 years, placing it at the top of this peer group. The uninsured rate of 12.8% sits just above the state average of 12.5%, demonstrating strong health insurance coverage compared to state norms.

Clear health leader in mountain region

Yancey County's life expectancy of 76.0 years outpaces all three neighboring counties by at least 1.4 years, and its poor-health rate of 16.8% is the lowest in the group. The county also leads in primary care provider density with 59 per 100,000 residents—more than double Yadkin County's capacity—suggesting robust healthcare infrastructure.

Strong access drives strong outcomes

Yancey County boasts the highest provider density of the four counties, with 59 primary care providers and 238 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Just 12.8% of residents lack insurance, and the lowest poor-health rate in this cohort suggests that robust provider networks and high insurance coverage directly correlate with better population health outcomes.

Maintain your coverage advantage

Yancey County residents should ensure continuous health insurance coverage to maintain the county's strong health outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov during open enrollment or apply for North Carolina Medicaid if your circumstances change, keeping access to the high-quality provider network your county offers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Yancey County

via RiskByCounty

Yancey County faces very low disaster risk

Yancey County's composite risk score of 42.24 ranks it as very low and well below North Carolina's state average of 66.72. The county enjoys one of the most favorable natural disaster risk profiles in the state, though residents should remain prepared for localized hazards.

Yancey is among the state's safest

At 42.24, Yancey County's composite score ranks it securely in the bottom tier of disaster risk statewide. The county's very low rating reflects substantially below-average exposure to natural hazards compared to North Carolina's 100 counties.

Yancey ties with Yadkin as the region's safest

Yancey County's 42.24 score nearly matches Yadkin County (38.36), making both the safest communities in this cluster. The two far outpace neighboring Wilkes County (82.63) and Wilson County (76.27), creating a stark divide between the western mountains and other regions.

Hurricane and wildfire risks are primary concerns

Yancey County's highest hazard exposures come from hurricanes (54.94) and wildfires (51.78), both well below state averages. Earthquake (51.97) and flood (55.38) risks remain low, while tornado risk (35.08) is among the state's lowest, creating an exceptionally balanced and manageable risk landscape.

Keep basic coverage in place as a precaution

Yancey County's very low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides substantial protection for most residents. A flood policy remains a reasonably priced safeguard, and reviewing your coverage every few years ensures you're protected as your home's value changes.

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.