Best counties to live in North Carolina based on a variety of useful data including median home prices for home purchase affordability
More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.
Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.
Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.
Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in North Carolina using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
You may also like: These 10 car insurers have the highest market share in North Carolina
#30. Brunswick County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 518
– Population: 139,721
– Median household income: $71,193
– Median home value: $284,100 (84% own)
– Median rent: $1,187 (16% rent)
– Top public schools: Brunswick County Early College High School (grade A), Classical Charter Schools of Leland (grade A), Union Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Southport Christian School (grade unavailable), The Academy of Coastal Carolina (grade unavailable), Southeastern Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: St. James (grade A), Belville (grade A minus), Oak Island (grade B+)
#29. Madison County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 488
– Population: 21,414
– Median household income: $56,664
– Median home value: $236,300 (77% own)
– Median rent: $760 (23% rent)
– Top public schools: Madison Early College High School (grade A minus), Hot Springs Elementary School (grade A minus), Brush Creek Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Woodson Branch Nature School (grade A+), Wolf Creek Academy (grade unavailable), Little Ivy Baptist Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Mars Hill (grade A), South Marshall Township (grade A minus), Mars Hill Township (grade A minus)
Mortgage Calculator
=> How much house can you afford - use our calculator
#28. Pender County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 472
– Population: 61,592
– Median household income: $74,538
– Median home value: $240,800 (82% own)
– Median rent: $1,039 (18% rent)
– Top public schools: Pender Early College High School (grade A), Surf City Elementary (grade A minus), Topsail Middle School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Penderlea Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Hampstead (grade A minus), Surf City (grade A minus), Burgaw (grade B)
#27. Davie County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 448
– Population: 43,030
– Median household income: $69,105
– Median home value: $219,400 (82% own)
– Median rent: $838 (18% rent)
– Top public schools: Davie County Early College High School (grade A), Shady Grove Elementary School (grade A minus), North Davie Middle School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Trinity Baptist Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Advance (grade A minus), Mocksville (grade B+), Bermuda Run (grade B+)
#26. Lincoln County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 423
– Population: 87,933
– Median household income: $75,672
– Median home value: $241,200 (79% own)
– Median rent: $928 (21% rent)
– Top public schools: Catawba Springs Elementary School (grade A), St. James Elementary School (grade A), Rock Springs Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Combine Academy (grade unavailable), Long Shoals Wesleyan Academy (grade unavailable), Pursuit Preparatory Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Westport (grade A minus), Denver (grade A minus), Lowesville (grade B)
You may also like: Counties where the most opioids are dispensed in North Carolina
#25. Swain County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 412
– Population: 14,130
– Median household income: $52,818
– Median home value: $178,900 (73% own)
– Median rent: $690 (27% rent)
– Top public schools: Mountain Discovery Charter School (grade B+), Swain County West Elementary School (grade B), Swain County High School (grade B)
– Top private schools: New Kituwah Academy (grade unavailable), Grace Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Charleston Township (grade A minus), Cherokee (grade B+), Bryson City (grade B+)
#24. Craven County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 397
– Population: 101,098
– Median household income: $61,676
– Median home value: $194,100 (68% own)
– Median rent: $1,056 (32% rent)
– Top public schools: Craven Early College High School (grade A), Early College East High School (grade A minus), W. Jesse Gurganus Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Epiphany School of Global Studies (grade A minus), New Bern Christian Academy (grade C minus), Saint Paul Catholic School (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Trent Woods (grade A), River Bend (grade A minus), James City (grade A minus)
#23. Jackson County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 393
– Population: 42,388
– Median household income: $51,482
– Median home value: $240,500 (62% own)
– Median rent: $804 (38% rent)
– Top public schools: Catamount School (grade A), Jackson County Early College (grade A minus), Fairview Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Victory Christian School (grade unavailable), Heritage Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Sylva (grade A minus), Forest Hills (grade A+), Dillsboro (grade A)
#22. Cumberland County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 374
– Population: 335,207
– Median household income: $55,551
– Median home value: $166,600 (53% own)
– Median rent: $1,098 (47% rent)
– Top public schools: Cross Creek Early College High School (grade A), Massey Hill Classical High School (grade A), Cumberland International Early Colleges (grade A)
– Top private schools: Fayetteville Academy (grade A+), Fayetteville Christian School (grade A), Riverside Christian Academy (grade A)
– Top places: Spring Lake (grade B+), Hope Mills (grade B+), Fayetteville (grade B+)
#21. Dare County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 348
– Population: 37,160
– Median household income: $79,742
– Median home value: $386,600 (78% own)
– Median rent: $1,259 (22% rent)
– Top public schools: Kitty Hawk Elementary School (grade B+), First Flight Middle School (grade B+), Manteo Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Wanchese Christian Academy (grade B minus), Heron Pond Montessori School (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Nags Head (grade A), Manteo (grade A minus), Kill Devil Hills (grade A minus)
You may also like: Best-performing North Carolina stocks last week
#20. Henderson County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 325
– Population: 116,469
– Median household income: $65,508
– Median home value: $291,500 (74% own)
– Median rent: $1,032 (26% rent)
– Top public schools: Henderson County Early College High School (grade A), Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School (grade A), Hendersonville Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Veritas Christian Academy (grade A), Fletcher Academy (grade A minus), Captain Gilmer Christian School (grade A+)
– Top places: Balfour (grade A), Flat Rock (grade A), Laurel Park (grade A)
#19. Transylvania County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 297
– Population: 33,131
– Median household income: $62,056
– Median home value: $298,600 (76% own)
– Median rent: $861 (24% rent)
– Top public schools: Brevard Academy (grade A), Brevard Middle School (grade A minus), Brevard High School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Mountain Sun Community School (grade unavailable), Bethany Christian School (grade unavailable), The Outdoor Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Brevard (grade B+), Little River Township (grade A minus), Eastatoe Township (grade A minus)
#18. Carteret County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 287
– Population: 68,353
– Median household income: $66,965
– Median home value: $277,400 (73% own)
– Median rent: $1,009 (27% rent)
– Top public schools: Tiller School (grade A), Atlantic Elementary School (grade A), Bogue Sound Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Gramercy Christian School (grade C), St. Egbert Catholic School (grade unavailable), Grace Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Pine Knoll Shores (grade A minus), Emerald Isle (grade A minus), Cedar Point (grade A minus)
#17. Polk County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 274
– Population: 19,538
– Median household income: $60,465
– Median home value: $255,000 (77% own)
– Median rent: $984 (23% rent)
– Top public schools: Tryon Elementary School (grade A), Saluda Elementary School (grade A), Polk Central School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Tryon Seventh-day Adventist School (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Tryon (grade A), Saluda Township (grade A), Columbus (grade A minus)
#16. Pitt County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 225
– Population: 171,196
– Median household income: $54,915
– Median home value: $178,700 (51% own)
– Median rent: $911 (49% rent)
– Top public schools: Innovation Early College High (grade A), Early College High School (grade A), Hope Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Oakwood School (grade A+), John Paul II Catholic High School (grade A), Greenville Christian Academy (grade B+)
– Top places: Winterville (grade A), Greenville (grade A minus), Ayden (grade B+)
You may also like: Best amusement parks in North Carolina
#15. Watauga County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 223
– Population: 54,540
– Median household income: $50,034
– Median home value: $283,000 (61% own)
– Median rent: $1,067 (39% rent)
– Top public schools: Blowing Rock Elementary School (grade A), Parkway Elementary School (grade A), Two Rivers Community School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Grace Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Boone (grade A minus), Blowing Rock Township (grade A), Blue Ridge Township (grade A)
#14. Catawba County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 202
– Population: 161,011
– Median household income: $62,070
– Median home value: $194,000 (71% own)
– Median rent: $866 (29% rent)
– Top public schools: Challenger Early College High School (grade A), Discovery High School (grade A), Shuford Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: University Christian High School (grade A), Hickory Christian Academy (grade B), Tabernacle Christian School (grade B)
– Top places: Hickory (grade A minus), St. Stephens (grade A minus), Newton (grade A minus)
#13. Iredell County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 196
– Population: 187,839
– Median household income: $73,103
– Median home value: $261,200 (72% own)
– Median rent: $1,105 (28% rent)
– Top public schools: Collaborative College for Technology & Leadership (CCTL) (grade A), Pine Lake Preparatory School (grade A), Rocky River Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Woodlawn School (grade A), Liberty Preparatory Christian Academy (grade B+), Southview Christian School (grade B)
– Top places: Mooresville (grade A), Troutman (grade A minus), Statesville (grade B+)
#12. Union County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 158
– Population: 240,109
– Median household income: $95,533
– Median home value: $336,600 (83% own)
– Median rent: $1,274 (17% rent)
– Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (grade A+), Weddington High School (grade A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Metrolina Christian Academy (grade B+), Arborbrook Christian Academy (grade B+), Shining Light Baptist Academy (grade B+)
– Top places: Marvin (grade A+), Weddington (grade A+), Waxhaw (grade A)
#11. Buncombe County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 117
– Population: 269,449
– Median household income: $66,531
– Median home value: $328,900 (64% own)
– Median rent: $1,209 (36% rent)
– Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (grade A), Evergreen Community Charter School (grade A), Buncombe County Early College (grade A)
– Top private schools: Christ School (grade A+), Asheville School (grade A+), Carolina Day School (grade A)
– Top places: Royal Pines (grade A), Biltmore Forest (grade A), Black Mountain (grade A)
You may also like: Counties with the highest rates of high blood pressure in North Carolina
#10. New Hanover County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 104
– Population: 228,134
– Median household income: $67,515
– Median home value: $320,000 (60% own)
– Median rent: $1,249 (40% rent)
– Top public schools: Isaac M. Bear High School (grade A+), Wilmington Early College High School (grade A), Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (grade A)
– Top private schools: Cape Fear Academy (grade A+), Coastal Christian High School (grade B), Wilmington Christian Academy (grade B minus)
– Top places: Ogden (grade A), Wrightsville Beach (grade A), Murraysville (grade A minus)
#9. Guilford County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 94
– Population: 539,557
– Median household income: $62,880
– Median home value: $215,700 (60% own)
– Median rent: $1,049 (40% rent)
– Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (grade A+), Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology (grade A+), Summerfield Charter Academy (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Greensboro Day School (grade A+), Caldwell Academy (grade A), Oak Ridge Military Academy (grade A)
– Top places: Summerfield (grade A+), Stokesdale (grade A), Jamestown (grade A)
#8. Moore County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 88
– Population: 100,759
– Median household income: $77,981
– Median home value: $284,000 (77% own)
– Median rent: $1,084 (23% rent)
– Top public schools: The Academy of Moore County (grade A+), West End Elementary School (grade A), McDeeds Creek Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: The O’Neal School (grade A+), Sandhills Classical Christian School (grade A minus), Saint John Paul II Catholic School (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Pinehurst (grade A+), Southern Pines (grade A), Aberdeen (grade A)
#7. Forsyth County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 78
– Population: 383,739
– Median household income: $61,229
– Median home value: $205,700 (62% own)
– Median rent: $969 (38% rent)
– Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (grade A+), Atkins Academic & Technology High School (grade A), Ronald W. Reagan High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Salem Academy (grade A+), Forsyth Country Day School (grade A+), Calvary Day School (grade A+)
– Top places: Lewisville (grade A), Clemmons (grade A), Winston-Salem (grade A)
#6. Cabarrus County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 69
– Population: 226,396
– Median household income: $83,828
– Median home value: $281,600 (73% own)
– Median rent: $1,185 (27% rent)
– Top public schools: Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School (grade A), Cox Mill Elementary School (grade A), Harris Road Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Cannon School (grade A), HOPE Academy (grade A), Christ the King Catholic High School (grade A minus)
– Top places: Harrisburg (grade A+), Concord (grade A), Kannapolis (grade B+)
You may also like: Best private high schools in North Carolina
#5. Chatham County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 66
– Population: 76,754
– Median household income: $84,222
– Median home value: $373,300 (80% own)
– Median rent: $995 (20% rent)
– Top public schools: Woods Charter School (grade A+), Willow Oak Montessori (grade A), Chatham Grove Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Thales Academy Pittsboro Pre-K-8 (grade unavailable), Haw River Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Holy Youth Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Fearrington Village (grade A), Pittsboro (grade A minus), Siler City (grade B)
#4. Durham County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 49
– Population: 325,101
– Median household income: $74,927
– Median home value: $311,300 (55% own)
– Median rent: $1,301 (45% rent)
– Top public schools: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), Research Triangle High School (grade A), Middle College High School at DTCC (grade A)
– Top private schools: Durham Academy (grade A+), Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill (grade A+), Camelot Academy (grade A+)
– Top places: Durham (grade A), Gorman (grade C+), Triangle Township (grade A+)
#3. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 39
– Population: 1,115,403
– Median household income: $79,265
– Median home value: $334,700 (56% own)
– Median rent: $1,413 (44% rent)
– Top public schools: Ardrey Kell High School (grade A+), Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
– Top places: Davidson (grade A+), Dilworth (grade A+), Ballantyne East (grade A+)
#2. Orange County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 25
– Population: 145,919
– Median household income: $85,785
– Median home value: $395,600 (65% own)
– Median rent: $1,316 (35% rent)
– Top public schools: The Expedition School (grade A+), Chapel Hill High School (grade A), Glenwood Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Carolina Friends School (grade A+), Emerson Waldorf School (grade A+), St. Thomas More Catholic School (grade unavailable)
– Top places: Chapel Hill (grade A+), Carrboro (grade A+), Hillsborough (grade A)
#1. Wake County, North Carolina
– Overall Rank: 3
– Population: 1,132,103
– Median household income: $96,734
– Median home value: $385,700 (64% own)
– Median rent: $1,412 (36% rent)
– Top public schools: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Cary Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+), Saint Mary’s School (grade A+)
– Top places: Cary (grade A+), Morrisville (grade A+), Apex (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
You may also like: Highest-rated wineries in North Carolina, according to Yelp
By Stacker
hey, so like dare county got a spot but what makes it cool to live there? dont get the fancy stats, just wanna know if its chill or not. lol Jon Dykstra, got any simple deets?
dare county? it’s all about the beaches and waves man, super cool spot if you love the water. Def worth the hype.
I must say, ranking Wake County as the best to live in NC seems a bit biased. What metrics were used in this decision, Jon Dykstra? The concrete jungle is not for everyone.
Interesting to see Mecklenburg County at #3. Given its tech industry growth, it makes sense, but what about the cost of living adjustments? Housing prices alone don’t paint the full picture.
all these counties are overrated, nothing but traffic and noise nowadays, miss the good old days when it was quiet and affordable…
Super excited to see my home county, Buncombe, at #11! Asheville is such a vibrant city! Love it!
Henderson at #20 is intriguing. Demographics and cultural offerings must’ve played a role, which I find quite reflective of broader societal trends.
Imagine if cats picked where we lived. I bet Chatham County would still make the top 5 because of all its lovely trees and birds. Wonder what the cat-to-human ratio is there. 😺
So wonderful to see Durham County at #4! It’s a testament to the sense of community and the booming local business scene. Great for foodies too!
Back in my day, living in NC was all about the simple things. Now, it’s all ‘median home prices’ this and ‘data’ that. Guess we forgot about the value of good neighbors and community spirit.
anyone knows if these counties got good sports programs for kids? looking for a move but the kids soccer is key, ya know.
Have you ever thought about how remote work changes the game for homebuyers in these booming counties? I find it exciting to think about the investment potential in up-and-coming neighborhoods too. North Carolina seems to have some great options for anyone looking to buy a home!
Thinking about moving to North Carolina? The communities and amenities here really enhance life!