Hertford
North Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Hertford County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median home price is in the bottom 6% of American counties ($119K), unemployment is in the top 10% of American counties (5.1%), and population growth is in the bottom 11% of American counties (-0.9% a year). Within North Carolina it ranks 5th of 100 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hertford County, North Carolina. 21,633 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -101).

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 $46,196 a year, lower than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,251. Unemployment runs 5.1%, higher than 90% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,843 a year.

Home

The median home costs $119K, cheaper than 94% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $807 a month. Property tax is 1.01% of home value, roughly $1,052 a year on that median home, higher than 61% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 58% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.3 years, shorter than 77% of American counties. There are 37 active physicians in the county, about 17.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 10.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.02 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 55% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 34 points. 57% 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 45 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 81 out of 100, riskier than 81% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 246 Mbps down, faster than 72% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.