Martin
North Carolina

What stands out

Against every county in America, Martin County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is in the bottom 9% of American counties ($129K), the median household income is in the bottom 11% of American counties ($44,799), and high-school completion is in the bottom 13% of American counties (82%). Within North Carolina it ranks 6th of 100 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Martin County, North Carolina. 21,992 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +146).

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 $44,799 a year, lower than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $38,562. Unemployment runs 4.4%, higher than 80% of American counties. 7% 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 $1,787 a year.

Home

The median home costs $129K, cheaper than 91% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $751 a month. Property tax is 1.15% of home value, roughly $1,136 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 66% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 26 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 72.4 years, shorter than 84% of American counties. There are 14 active physicians in the county, about 6.4 per 10,000 people. 10.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.74 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 75% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 5 points. 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 61°F, highs near 72 and lows near 51, warmer than 72% of American counties. About 45 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 82 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 168 Mbps down, slower than 64% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.