Lee
North Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Lee County apart from the other 3,142 counties: population growth is in the top 5% of American counties (+2.3% a year) and the overdose death rate is in the top 9% of American counties (36 per 100,000). Within North Carolina it ranks 7th of 100 counties for population growth.

Where you are

You live in Lee County, North Carolina. 63,560 people live here with you. The population grew 2.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,250).

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 $60,941 a year, higher than 51% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,075. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 75% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,432 a year.

Home

The median home costs $293K, pricier than 68% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $926 a month. Property tax is 0.88% of home value, roughly $1,637 a year on that median home, higher than 51% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 61% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 36 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 95 active physicians in the county, about 14.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 13.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.98 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 55% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 15 points. 68% 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 62°F, highs near 73 and lows near 51, warmer than 73% of American counties. About 45 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 73 out of 100, riskier than 73% of American counties; the county has had 23 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: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.