County Economic Snapshots 2020

The Budget & Tax Center’s Economic Snapshot is an annual publication that lists key economic and social indicators at the county level in North Carolina, providing an overall picture of how well-being varies through the state. This data profile includes indicators on employment, poverty and income, affordable housing, health, education, and supports for working families — all of which come from a variety of credible sources.

Click on your county to download a PDF of your Snapshot, or scroll through the list on this page and click on your county.

Note: This County Snapshot provides a pre-COVID-19 economic picture of counties throughout North Carolina.

Data Sources

Population Changes

NC Office of State Budget and Management, Population Estimates, July 2010 (actual) and 2020 (projected).

Poverty and Economic Hardship

US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2014-2018.
US Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2018.

Jobs and Ability to Afford the Basics

NC Budget and Tax Center, Living Income Standard, 2019.
NC Department of Commerce, Occupational Employment Statistics, Dec 2007, Dec 2018, Dec 2019
NCWorks Online, Advertised Job Data and Local Area Unemployment Statistics (not seasonally adjusted) Feb 2020.
US Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2018.

Access to Affordable Housing

National Low Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach, 2019.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2014-2018.

Healthy Lives and Communities

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2019.
NC State Center for Health Statistics, 2016-2018.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2014-2018.
NC Department of Health and Human Services, FNS Case Data, 2019 & NC Office of State Budget and Management, Population Estimates, July 2020.

Educational Attainment

NC Department of Public Instruction, 4-Year Cohort 2018-2019.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2014-2018.