Alexander
North Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Alexander County: the share working from home is in the bottom 13% of American counties (4%) and homeownership is in the top 13% of American counties (81%). Within North Carolina it ranks 8th of 100 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Alexander County, North Carolina. 36,505 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +308).

North Carolina has a flat income tax that is being cut each year, 3.99% for 2026 after 4.25% in 2025, with 3.49% scheduled for 2027 if revenue triggers are met, and it does not tax Social Security. Property taxes are moderate and reassessments happen every four to eight years by county. The Research Triangle and Charlotte have driven a decade of in-migration; the mountains and the Outer Banks are second-home markets with hurricane and flood exposure on the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $62,764 a year, higher than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,164. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 58% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,504 a year.

Home

The median home costs $268K, pricier than 61% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $732 a month. Property tax is 0.69% of home value, roughly $1,165 a year on that median home, lower than 67% of American counties. 81% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 67% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 19 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.6 years, shorter than 64% of American counties. There are 10 active physicians in the county, about 2.7 per 10,000 people. 10.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.11 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 63% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 58 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Carolina law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 58°F, highs near 70 and lows near 47, warmer than 62% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 35 out of 100, safer than 65% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 181 Mbps down, slower than 58% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.