RALEIGH, N.C. – Good news for some Eastern Carolina counties! According to the state’s latest economic report, a few counties are improving their economic rankings.
North Carolina law checks each county’s economic status every year. This is based on four key factors: the unemployment rate, average household income, how fast the population is growing, and the value of property per person.
Counties are divided into three groups, called tiers. Tier 1 counties face the most economic challenges, while Tier 3 counties are in better financial shape.
For 2025, Chowan, Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Pasquotank counties have moved up from Tier 1 to Tier 2. This means these countries are doing better economically.
On the other hand, some countries are struggling more. Alexander, Caldwell, Camden, Cleveland, Davie, McDowell, Montgomery, Randolph, and Surry counties are now ranked as more economically challenged than before.
By law, North Carolina assigns 40 counties to Tier 1, 40 counties to Tier 2, and 20 counties to Tier 3.
These rankings play a big role in how the state distributes grants and other funding. Counties in Tier 1, for example, often get more help because they need it the most.
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