Buncombe
North Carolina

What stands out

Against every county in America, Buncombe County is unusual in three ways: the share working from home is in the top 8% of American counties (14%), the median home price is in the top 9% of American counties ($457K), and the home price against local income is in the top 9% of American counties (3.9 years of income). Within North Carolina it ranks 8th of 100 counties for the share working from home.

Where you are

You live in Buncombe County, North Carolina. 269,449 people live here with you. The population grew 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,051).

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 $66,531 a year, higher than 66% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,785. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 66% of American counties. 14% of workers work from home.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,655 a year.

Home

The median home costs $457K, pricier than 91% of American counties, about 3.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,225 a month. Property tax is 0.61% of home value, roughly $2,012 a year on that median home, lower than 75% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 84% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 34 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.8 years, longer than 73% of American counties. There are 1,592 active physicians in the county, about 59.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 11.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.27 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 75% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 21 points. 79% 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 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 44, colder than 53% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 81 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 247 Mbps down, faster than 73% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 26 breweries, 10 museums, 1 National Park Service site.