Watauga
North Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Watauga County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median home price is in the top 6% of American counties ($514K), the restaurant count per person is in the top 6% of American counties (1.5 per 1,000), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 7% of American counties (0.43%). Within North Carolina it ranks 4th of 100 counties for the median home price.

Where you are

You live in Watauga County, North Carolina. 54,540 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -161).

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 $50,034 a year, lower than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,024. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 56% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 18 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,996 a year.

Home

The median home costs $514K, pricier than 94% of American counties, about 3.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,055 a month. Property tax is 0.43% of home value, roughly $1,220 a year on that median home, lower than 93% of American counties. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.7 years, longer than 90% of American counties. There are 157 active physicians in the county, about 28.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 10.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.39 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 85% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 8 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 52°F, highs near 62 and lows near 42, colder than 68% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 58 out of 100, riskier than 58% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 215 Mbps down, faster than 57% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries.