1st Advantage MortgageThe median Greene County household earns $53,244, and 21% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's North Carolina license first.
On this page
- Greene County at a glance
- Household income in Greene County
- How Greene County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Greene County
- The communities that make up Greene County
- Greene County and the counties next door
- What a median Greene County budget can carry
- Who lives in Greene County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Greene County
- Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
- A Greene County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Greene County at a glance
With an estimated 20,486 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Greene County ranks 79th of 100 in North Carolina for population. Land area is 267 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 77 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Greene County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (3 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Snow Hill, with about 2,438 residents, or 12% of the county.
Household income in Greene County
Half of Greene County households take in less than $53,244 a year and half take in more, 26% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
| Band | Greene County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.7% | +6.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 52.8% | +11.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.0% | -9.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.5% | -8.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 17% of Greene County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 21.0%, 8 points higher than the state's 13.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.392 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $53,244 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Greene County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Greene County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 19% of workers, followed by manufacturing (15%). Compared with North Carolina, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (7% against 1%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.8% of the total (5.3% statewide).
| Where residents work | Greene County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.0% | -3.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.3% | +3.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.2% | +1.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.1% | +6.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Greene County
A typical Greene County rental runs $853 a month including utilities, which is 31% below North Carolina. By the Census definition, 41% of Greene County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $117,400, or 2.2 years of median income. 67% of Greene County households own their home and 33% rent.
| Housing | Greene County | North Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $853/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $117,400 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 13% | n/a |
The communities that make up Greene County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Greene County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 4,663 residents, leaving about 77% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Rent is cheapest in Snow Hill ($696) and steepest in Maury ($934). Live in one of these Greene County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Hill | town | 2,438 | $31,629 | $696 | 2 mi |
| Maury | CDP | 1,339 | n/a | $934 | 5 mi |
| Hookerton | town | 573 | $34,500 | $717 | 7 mi |
| Walstonburg | town | 313 | $42,500 | n/a | 8 mi |
Greene County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Greene County's, from 17 to 36 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Greene County; Wayne County is highest at $59,733 and Lenoir County lowest at $45,143.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greene County | - | $53,244 | $853/mo | 67% |
| Lenoir County, NC | 17 mi | $45,143 | $861/mo | 59% |
| Pitt County, NC | 19 mi | $58,188 | $993/mo | 51% |
| Wilson County, NC | 20 mi | $56,423 | $953/mo | 60% |
| Wayne County, NC | 20 mi | $59,733 | $965/mo | 61% |
| Edgecombe County, NC | 30 mi | $51,265 | $858/mo | 61% |
| Jones County, NC | 36 mi | $59,641 | $747/mo | 79% |
What a median Greene County budget can carry
Here is the Greene County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $53,244 a year is $4,437 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $853 uses 19%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $700 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,144 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $853, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Greene County, in numbers
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 16.6%, against 9.9% for North Carolina.
| People and households | Greene County | North Carolina | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.2% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 21.0% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 16.6% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.9% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.0% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Greene County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
Local borrowing considerations for Greene County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Greene County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Greene County. For the 17% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 37% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Assistance before credit. With a 21% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Greene County loan.
Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
Greene County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: North Carolina guide.
A Greene County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Greene County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Carolina.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Greene County?
$53,244 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,388 for North Carolina. It ranks 76th of 100 in the state.
Is Greene County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $853 against $1,228 statewide, and 41% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Greene County?
By population: Snow Hill, Maury, Hookerton, Walstonburg. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Does living in Greene County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Greene County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Greene County?
Start with the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.