Graham
North Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Graham County: the share working from home is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2%), unemployment is in the top 7% of American counties (5.4%), and home internet speed is in the bottom 8% of American counties (82 Mbps). Within North Carolina it ranks 1st of 100 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Graham County, North Carolina. 8,047 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +31).

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 $46,010 a year, lower than 87% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,748. Unemployment runs 5.4%, higher than 93% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 24 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,836 a year.

Home

The median home costs $226K, cheaper than 53% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $608 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $850 a year on that median home, lower than 73% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 57% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.8 years, shorter than 62% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 3.7 per 10,000 people. 12.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.16 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 67% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 71% 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 43, colder than 55% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 9 out of 100, safer than 91% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 82 Mbps down, slower than 92% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.