Gates
North Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Gates County: the average commute is among the longest in America (37 minutes), the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000), and the share working from home is in the bottom 11% of American counties (3%). Within North Carolina it ranks 1st of 37 counties for the average commute.

Where you are

You live in Gates County, North Carolina. 10,509 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +51).

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 $55,750 a year, lower than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,429. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 52% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 37 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,224 a year.

Home

The median home costs $251K, pricier than 56% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $860 a month. Property tax is 0.76% of home value, roughly $1,162 a year on that median home, lower than 59% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.2 years, shorter than 58% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 1.0 per 10,000 people. 8.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.93 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 59% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 14 points. 65% 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 61°F, highs near 71 and lows near 50, warmer than 70% of American counties. About 46 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 30 out of 100, safer than 70% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 184 Mbps down, slower than 57% of American counties. There are 0 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.