Carteret
North Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Carteret County apart from the other 3,142 counties: natural-hazard risk is in the top 3% of American counties (97 of 100), the restaurant count per person is in the top 6% of American counties (1.5 per 1,000), and the median home price is in the top 8% of American counties ($476K). Within North Carolina it ranks 3rd of 100 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Carteret County, North Carolina. 68,353 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +762).

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 $66,965 a year, higher than 68% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,708. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 52% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,672 a year.

Home

The median home costs $476K, pricier than 92% of American counties, about 3.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $958 a month. Property tax is 0.48% of home value, roughly $1,324 a year on that median home, lower than 90% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 83% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 22 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.7 years, longer than 60% of American counties. There are 172 active physicians in the county, about 25.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 9.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.31 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 85% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 42 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 76% 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 63°F, highs near 71 and lows near 54, warmer than 75% of American counties. About 50 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 97 out of 100, riskier than 97% of American counties; the county has had 30 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 259 Mbps down, faster than 79% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 3 museums, 1 National Park Service site.