Hunt & Live

Wayne County, NC

117,286 residents · 554 sq mi · 211.7/sq mi · 54% rural

Climate
61.5°F
50.7" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.63
Hardiness
Zone 9a
Winter low ~22.3°F

About Wayne County

Wayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 117,333. Its county seat is Goldsboro, and it is home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

14
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #2993 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a humid subtropical climate with an annual mean temperature of 61.5°F and an average of 50.7 inches of rainfall per year. The growing season is relatively long, typical for USDA zone 9a, allowing for a variety of crops. The terrain is mostly rural, with a population density of 211.7 people per square mile, which could facilitate a more self-sufficient lifestyle, though access to water sources and soil quality would need to be assessed for gardening and livestock.

The county faces significant natural hazards, with winter weather ranked 98 and hurricanes at 96, indicating a high risk for severe storms and flooding. The tornado risk is also notable at rank 90. While the area has a moderate cost of living, with a median home price of $152,300, the effective property tax rate is relatively low at 0.76%. However, the violence percentile of 45 suggests a moderate level of safety concerns that may affect some residents' comfort levels.

This location may be suitable for individuals or families who are prepared for the risks associated with severe weather and are comfortable living in a more densely populated area. Those who thrive here will likely be adaptable and resourceful, with a focus on community engagement. Conversely, individuals seeking complete solitude or those who are risk-averse regarding natural disasters may find this county less appealing due to its high hazard rankings.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #2,811 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#78 of 100 in NC
Ranked #78 of 100 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: winter weather
FEMA ranks winter weather risk at 98/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Urban: 212/sqmi
Densely populated at 212 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 61.5°F annual mean and 50.7" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 9a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $152,300.

Score Breakdown

Violence
85
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
91
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
83
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
90.4
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 67
Drought 74
Earthquake 74
Hail 88
Hurricane 97
Heat Wave 88
Riverine Flood 89
Ice Storm 81
Landslide 32
Lightning 84
Strong Wind 76
Tornado 90
Wildfire 55
Winter Weather 99

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
90.1°F
Winter low
32.3°F
Heating degree days
2,960
Cooling degree days
1,731

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$152,300
Median HH income
$54,323
Price to income
2.8×
Property tax rate
0.76%
~$1,155/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
37.5
Homeownership
61.3%
Poverty rate
17.9%
Unemployment
4.7%

Connectivity

Broadband households
69.8%
No internet access
11.8%

Explore Wayne County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.