Best counties to live in North Carolina

- Overall Rank: 518
- Population: 139,721
- Median household income: $71,193
- Median home value: $284,100 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,187 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Brunswick County Early College High School (grade A), Classical Charter Schools of Leland (grade A), Union Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Southport Christian School (grade unavailable), The Academy of Coastal Carolina (grade unavailable), Southeastern Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: St. James (grade A), Belville (grade A minus), Oak Island (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 488
- Population: 21,414
- Median household income: $56,664
- Median home value: $236,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $760 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Madison Early College High School (grade A minus), Hot Springs Elementary School (grade A minus), Brush Creek Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Woodson Branch Nature School (grade A+), Wolf Creek Academy (grade unavailable), Little Ivy Baptist Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Mars Hill (grade A), South Marshall Township (grade A minus), Mars Hill Township (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 472
- Population: 61,592
- Median household income: $74,538
- Median home value: $240,800 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,039 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Pender Early College High School (grade A), Surf City Elementary (grade A minus), Topsail Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Penderlea Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Hampstead (grade A minus), Surf City (grade A minus), Burgaw (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 448
- Population: 43,030
- Median household income: $69,105
- Median home value: $219,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $838 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Davie County Early College High School (grade A), Shady Grove Elementary School (grade A minus), North Davie Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Trinity Baptist Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Advance (grade A minus), Mocksville (grade B+), Bermuda Run (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 423
- Population: 87,933
- Median household income: $75,672
- Median home value: $241,200 (79% own)
- Median rent: $928 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Catawba Springs Elementary School (grade A), St. James Elementary School (grade A), Rock Springs Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Combine Academy (grade unavailable), Long Shoals Wesleyan Academy (grade unavailable), Pursuit Preparatory Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Westport (grade A minus), Denver (grade A minus), Lowesville (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 412
- Population: 14,130
- Median household income: $52,818
- Median home value: $178,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $690 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Mountain Discovery Charter School (grade B+), Swain County West Elementary School (grade B), Swain County High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: New Kituwah Academy (grade unavailable), Grace Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Charleston Township (grade A minus), Cherokee (grade B+), Bryson City (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 397
- Population: 101,098
- Median household income: $61,676
- Median home value: $194,100 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,056 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Craven Early College High School (grade A), Early College East High School (grade A minus), W. Jesse Gurganus Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Epiphany School of Global Studies (grade A minus), New Bern Christian Academy (grade C minus), Saint Paul Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Trent Woods (grade A), River Bend (grade A minus), James City (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 393
- Population: 42,388
- Median household income: $51,482
- Median home value: $240,500 (62% own)
- Median rent: $804 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Catamount School (grade A), Jackson County Early College (grade A minus), Fairview Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Victory Christian School (grade unavailable), Heritage Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Sylva (grade A minus), Forest Hills (grade A+), Dillsboro (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 374
- Population: 335,207
- Median household income: $55,551
- Median home value: $166,600 (53% own)
- Median rent: $1,098 (47% rent)
- Top public schools: Cross Creek Early College High School (grade A), Massey Hill Classical High School (grade A), Cumberland International Early Colleges (grade A)
- Top private schools: Fayetteville Academy (grade A+), Fayetteville Christian School (grade A), Riverside Christian Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Spring Lake (grade B+), Hope Mills (grade B+), Fayetteville (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 348
- Population: 37,160
- Median household income: $79,742
- Median home value: $386,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,259 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Kitty Hawk Elementary School (grade B+), First Flight Middle School (grade B+), Manteo Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Wanchese Christian Academy (grade B minus), Heron Pond Montessori School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Nags Head (grade A), Manteo (grade A minus), Kill Devil Hills (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 325
- Population: 116,469
- Median household income: $65,508
- Median home value: $291,500 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,032 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Henderson County Early College High School (grade A), Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School (grade A), Hendersonville Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Veritas Christian Academy (grade A), Fletcher Academy (grade A minus), Captain Gilmer Christian School (grade A+)
- Top places: Balfour (grade A), Flat Rock (grade A), Laurel Park (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 297
- Population: 33,131
- Median household income: $62,056
- Median home value: $298,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $861 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Brevard Academy (grade A), Brevard Middle School (grade A minus), Brevard High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Mountain Sun Community School (grade unavailable), Bethany Christian School (grade unavailable), The Outdoor Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Brevard (grade B+), Little River Township (grade A minus), Eastatoe Township (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 287
- Population: 68,353
- Median household income: $66,965
- Median home value: $277,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,009 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Tiller School (grade A), Atlantic Elementary School (grade A), Bogue Sound Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Gramercy Christian School (grade C), St. Egbert Catholic School (grade unavailable), Grace Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Pine Knoll Shores (grade A minus), Emerald Isle (grade A minus), Cedar Point (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 274
- Population: 19,538
- Median household income: $60,465
- Median home value: $255,000 (77% own)
- Median rent: $984 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Tryon Elementary School (grade A), Saluda Elementary School (grade A), Polk Central School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Tryon Seventh-day Adventist School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Tryon (grade A), Saluda Township (grade A), Columbus (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 225
- Population: 171,196
- Median household income: $54,915
- Median home value: $178,700 (51% own)
- Median rent: $911 (49% rent)
- Top public schools: Innovation Early College High (grade A), Early College High School (grade A), Hope Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Oakwood School (grade A+), John Paul II Catholic High School (grade A), Greenville Christian Academy (grade B+)
- Top places: Winterville (grade A), Greenville (grade A minus), Ayden (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 223
- Population: 54,540
- Median household income: $50,034
- Median home value: $283,000 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,067 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Blowing Rock Elementary School (grade A), Parkway Elementary School (grade A), Two Rivers Community School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Grace Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Boone (grade A minus), Blowing Rock Township (grade A), Blue Ridge Township (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 202
- Population: 161,011
- Median household income: $62,070
- Median home value: $194,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $866 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Challenger Early College High School (grade A), Discovery High School (grade A), Shuford Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University Christian High School (grade A), Hickory Christian Academy (grade B), Tabernacle Christian School (grade B)
- Top places: Hickory (grade A minus), St. Stephens (grade A minus), Newton (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 196
- Population: 187,839
- Median household income: $73,103
- Median home value: $261,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,105 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Collaborative College for Technology & Leadership (CCTL) (grade A), Pine Lake Preparatory School (grade A), Rocky River Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Woodlawn School (grade A), Liberty Preparatory Christian Academy (grade B+), Southview Christian School (grade B)
- Top places: Mooresville (grade A), Troutman (grade A minus), Statesville (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 158
- Population: 240,109
- Median household income: $95,533
- Median home value: $336,600 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,274 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (grade A+), Weddington High School (grade A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Metrolina Christian Academy (grade B+), Arborbrook Christian Academy (grade B+), Shining Light Baptist Academy (grade B+)
- Top places: Marvin (grade A+), Weddington (grade A+), Waxhaw (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 117
- Population: 269,449
- Median household income: $66,531
- Median home value: $328,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,209 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (grade A), Evergreen Community Charter School (grade A), Buncombe County Early College (grade A)
- Top private schools: Christ School (grade A+), Asheville School (grade A+), Carolina Day School (grade A)
- Top places: Royal Pines (grade A), Biltmore Forest (grade A), Black Mountain (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 104
- Population: 228,134
- Median household income: $67,515
- Median home value: $320,000 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,249 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Isaac M. Bear High School (grade A+), Wilmington Early College High School (grade A), Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cape Fear Academy (grade A+), Coastal Christian High School (grade B), Wilmington Christian Academy (grade B minus)
- Top places: Ogden (grade A), Wrightsville Beach (grade A), Murraysville (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 94
- Population: 539,557
- Median household income: $62,880
- Median home value: $215,700 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,049 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (grade A+), Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology (grade A+), Summerfield Charter Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greensboro Day School (grade A+), Caldwell Academy (grade A), Oak Ridge Military Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Summerfield (grade A+), Stokesdale (grade A), Jamestown (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 88
- Population: 100,759
- Median household income: $77,981
- Median home value: $284,000 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,084 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: The Academy of Moore County (grade A+), West End Elementary School (grade A), McDeeds Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The O'Neal School (grade A+), Sandhills Classical Christian School (grade A minus), Saint John Paul II Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Pinehurst (grade A+), Southern Pines (grade A), Aberdeen (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 78
- Population: 383,739
- Median household income: $61,229
- Median home value: $205,700 (62% own)
- Median rent: $969 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (grade A+), Atkins Academic & Technology High School (grade A), Ronald W. Reagan High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Salem Academy (grade A+), Forsyth Country Day School (grade A+), Calvary Day School (grade A+)
- Top places: Lewisville (grade A), Clemmons (grade A), Winston-Salem (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 69
- Population: 226,396
- Median household income: $83,828
- Median home value: $281,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,185 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School (grade A), Cox Mill Elementary School (grade A), Harris Road Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Cannon School (grade A), HOPE Academy (grade A), Christ the King Catholic High School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Harrisburg (grade A+), Concord (grade A), Kannapolis (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 66
- Population: 76,754
- Median household income: $84,222
- Median home value: $373,300 (80% own)
- Median rent: $995 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Woods Charter School (grade A+), Willow Oak Montessori (grade A), Chatham Grove Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Thales Academy Pittsboro Pre-K-8 (grade unavailable), Haw River Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Holy Youth Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Fearrington Village (grade A), Pittsboro (grade A minus), Siler City (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 49
- Population: 325,101
- Median household income: $74,927
- Median home value: $311,300 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,301 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), Research Triangle High School (grade A), Middle College High School at DTCC (grade A)
- Top private schools: Durham Academy (grade A+), Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill (grade A+), Camelot Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Durham (grade A), Gorman (grade C+), Triangle Township (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 39
- Population: 1,115,403
- Median household income: $79,265
- Median home value: $334,700 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,413 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Ardrey Kell High School (grade A+), Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
- Top places: Davidson (grade A+), Dilworth (grade A+), Ballantyne East (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 25
- Population: 145,919
- Median household income: $85,785
- Median home value: $395,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,316 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: The Expedition School (grade A+), Chapel Hill High School (grade A), Glenwood Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Carolina Friends School (grade A+), Emerson Waldorf School (grade A+), St. Thomas More Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Chapel Hill (grade A+), Carrboro (grade A+), Hillsborough (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 3
- Population: 1,132,103
- Median household income: $96,734
- Median home value: $385,700 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,412 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cary Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+)
- Top places: Cary (grade A+), Morrisville (grade A+), Apex (grade A+)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.