Swain
North Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Swain County apart from the other 3,142 counties: life expectancy is in the bottom 3% of American counties (69.3 years), home internet speed is in the bottom 4% of American counties (63 Mbps), and the overdose death rate is in the top 7% of American counties (39 per 100,000). Within North Carolina it ranks 1st of 100 counties for life expectancy, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Swain County, North Carolina. 14,130 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +42).

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 $52,818 a year, lower than 72% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,512. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 57% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,107 a year.

Home

The median home costs $328K, pricier than 75% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $683 a month. Property tax is 0.47% of home value, roughly $848 a year on that median home, lower than 90% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 71% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 39 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 69.3 years, shorter than 97% of American counties. There are 18 active physicians in the county, about 12.7 per 10,000 people. 11.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.96 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 61% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 20 points. 65% 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 53°F, highs near 63 and lows near 42, colder than 63% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 26 out of 100, safer than 74% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 63 Mbps down, slower than 96% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 3 museums.