Orange
North Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Orange County: the share working from home is among the highest in America (22%), life expectancy is in the top 3% of American counties (81.6 years), and violent crime is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.9 per 1,000). Within North Carolina it ranks 2nd of 100 counties for the share working from home.

Where you are

You live in Orange County, North Carolina. 145,919 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -522).

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 $85,785 a year, higher than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $79,229. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 64% of American counties. 22% of workers work from home.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,423 a year.

Home

The median home costs $513K, pricier than 94% of American counties, about 3.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,331 a month. Property tax is 1.00% of home value, roughly $3,944 a year on that median home, higher than 60% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 96% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.6 years, longer than 97% of American counties. There are 2,855 active physicians in the county, about 195.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 8.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.36 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 84% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 51 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 78% 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 60°F, highs near 71 and lows near 48, warmer than 67% of American counties. About 49 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 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 269 Mbps down, faster than 83% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 6 museums.