
Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in North Carolina
Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in North Carolina
The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises the majority of cases in the U.S.
Researchers around the world have reported that Omicron is more transmissible than Delta, making breakthrough and repeat infections more likely. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death rates—especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.
The United States as of Feb. 16 reached 926,680 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 78.1 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 64.5% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 43% have received booster doses.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest cumulative COVID-19 death rates in North Carolina using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Counties are ranked by the highest death rate per 100,000 residents as of Feb. 15, 2021.
Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 death rates in your state.
#50. Greene County
--- 25.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,162 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,807 (5,648 total cases)
--- 10.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 465 (98 new cases, -40% change from previous week)

#49. Hyde County
--- 26.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,148 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,805 (1,274 total cases)
--- 6.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 425 (21 new cases, -60% change from previous week)
#48. Person County
--- 26.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,147 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.7 (5 new deaths, +400% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,710 (8,968 total cases)
--- 6.2% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 403 (159 new cases, -52% change from previous week)
#47. Edgecombe County
--- 27.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,121 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.9 (1 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,594 (13,174 total cases)
--- 5.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 270 (139 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
#46. Yadkin County
--- 28.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,107 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,690 (10,430 total cases)
--- 14.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 419 (158 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
#45. Randolph County
--- 28.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,105 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.9 (7 new deaths, -30% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,083 (34,600 total cases)
--- 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 355 (510 new cases, -49% change from previous week)
#44. Macon County
--- 31.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,060 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,717 (7,070 total cases)
--- 18.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 329 (118 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
#43. Rockingham County
--- 32.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,045 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.2 (2 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,391 (21,288 total cases)
--- 3.4% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 387 (352 new cases, -47% change from previous week)

#42. Yancey County
--- 33.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,026 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.5 (1 new deaths, -75% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,807 (4,663 total cases)
--- 6.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 952 (172 new cases, +89% change from previous week)

#41. Pasquotank County
--- 34.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,002 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,815 (7,891 total cases)
--- 18.2% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 399 (159 new cases, -40% change from previous week)

#40. Haywood County
--- 34.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #2,001 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.6 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,890 (12,395 total cases)
--- 17.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 515 (321 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
#39. Nash County
--- 43.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,861 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.1 (1 new deaths, -92% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,245 (26,634 total cases)
--- 16.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 359 (339 new cases, -48% change from previous week)

#38. Moore County
--- 43.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,852 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.9 (14 new deaths, +180% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,314 (23,519 total cases)
--- 3.7% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 348 (351 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
#37. Wayne County
--- 44.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,844 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.3 (9 new deaths, +29% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,054 (27,155 total cases)
--- 9.0% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 346 (426 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
#36. Burke County
--- 51.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,686 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.3 (12 new deaths, +71% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,438 (23,922 total cases)
--- 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 765 (692 new cases, -32% change from previous week)

#35. Beaufort County
--- 52.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,670 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.8 (6 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,039 (11,767 total cases)
--- 3.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 487 (229 new cases, -29% change from previous week)

#34. Cherokee County
--- 52.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,657 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,077 (6,889 total cases)
--- 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 542 (155 new cases, -22% change from previous week)

#33. Caldwell County
--- 56.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,603 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 11.0 (9 new deaths, -36% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,030 (21,391 total cases)
--- 7.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 544 (447 new cases, -39% change from previous week)
#32. Gaston County
--- 56.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,590 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.0 (18 new deaths, +80% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,318 (63,583 total cases)
--- 16.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 490 (1,101 new cases, -35% change from previous week)

#31. Catawba County
--- 57.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,569 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.3 (10 new deaths, -29% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,095 (46,422 total cases)
--- 20.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 549 (876 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
#30. McDowell County
--- 58.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,558 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 19.7 (9 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,333 (12,964 total cases)
--- 17.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 813 (372 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
#29. Bertie County
--- 60.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,537 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,972 (4,163 total cases)
--- 9.3% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 333 (63 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
#28. Stokes County
--- 60.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,533 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.8 (4 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,625 (10,771 total cases)
--- 2.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 474 (216 new cases, -22% change from previous week)

#27. Clay County
--- 62.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,498 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,901 (2,572 total cases)
--- 5.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 757 (85 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
#26. Hertford County
--- 62.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,493 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,491 (4,615 total cases)
--- 19.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 118 (28 new cases, -50% change from previous week)
#25. Alexander County
--- 63.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,480 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.3 (2 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,320 (10,244 total cases)
--- 12.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 613 (230 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
#24. Wilson County
--- 63.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,461 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 23.2 (19 new deaths, +19% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,409 (20,785 total cases)
--- 4.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 427 (349 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
#23. Halifax County
--- 65.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,432 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.0 (6 new deaths, -14% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,307 (13,656 total cases)
--- 12.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 352 (176 new cases, -45% change from previous week)
#22. Bladen County
--- 68.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,377 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.3 (5 new deaths, +67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,825 (9,105 total cases)
--- 14.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 336 (110 new cases, -60% change from previous week)
#21. Lenoir County
--- 69.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,367 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.9 (5 new deaths, -38% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,332 (15,292 total cases)
--- 12.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 474 (265 new cases, -41% change from previous week)

#20. Graham County
--- 70.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,344 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,051 (2,199 total cases)
--- 7.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 652 (55 new cases, -40% change from previous week)
#19. Scotland County
--- 71.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,332 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.9 (1 new deaths, -83% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,022 (9,758 total cases)
--- 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 336 (117 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
#18. Wilkes County
--- 72.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,317 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.2 (9 new deaths, +50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,020 (17,117 total cases)
--- 3.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 667 (456 new cases, -30% change from previous week)
#17. Chowan County
--- 72.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,313 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.2 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,248 (4,078 total cases)
--- 20.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 244 (34 new cases, -64% change from previous week)

#16. Madison County
--- 72.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,311 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.2 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,078 (4,803 total cases)
--- 8.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,480 (322 new cases, +110% change from previous week)
#15. Cleveland County
--- 73.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,290 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.2 (9 new deaths, +29% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,388 (28,785 total cases)
--- 21.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 458 (449 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
#14. Martin County
--- 77.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,221 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 8.9 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,537 (5,955 total cases)
--- 9.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 334 (75 new cases, -57% change from previous week)
#13. Anson County
--- 78.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,207 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 12.3 (3 new deaths, +200% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,967 (6,348 total cases)
--- 7.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 409 (100 new cases, -41% change from previous week)
#12. Duplin County
--- 80.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,187 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 20.4 (12 new deaths, +1100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,165 (15,957 total cases)
--- 12.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,127 (662 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
#11. Rowan County
--- 83.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,129 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.2 (6 new deaths, +20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,240 (40,126 total cases)
--- 16.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 436 (619 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
#10. Stanly County
--- 84.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,117 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.2 (2 new deaths, -88% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,287 (19,022 total cases)
--- 25.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 412 (259 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
#9. Robeson County
--- 85.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,107 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.9 (9 new deaths, +12% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,159 (39,395 total cases)
--- 24.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 485 (634 new cases, -46% change from previous week)
#8. Washington County
--- 87.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,078 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 17.3 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,276 (2,927 total cases)
--- 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 553 (64 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
#7. Northampton County
--- 89.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #1,023 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.4 (3 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,634 (4,215 total cases)
--- 10.7% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 205 (40 new cases, -65% change from previous week)
#6. Richmond County
--- 93.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #966 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 20.1 (9 new deaths, +125% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,493 (12,325 total cases)
--- 13.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 573 (257 new cases, -36% change from previous week)
#5. Jones County
--- 93.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #964 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,805 (2,148 total cases)
--- 5.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 393 (37 new cases, -53% change from previous week)
#4. Surry County
--- 100.5% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #880 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.0 (5 new deaths, -38% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,362 (20,359 total cases)
--- 17.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 596 (428 new cases, -31% change from previous week)
#3. Montgomery County
--- 115.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #665 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 22.1 (6 new deaths, +500% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,191 (7,117 total cases)
--- 8.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 313 (85 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
#2. Columbus County
--- 117.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #639 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,951 (15,515 total cases)
--- 15.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 340 (189 new cases, -56% change from previous week)

#1. Rutherford County
--- 171.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina
--- #213 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.4 (9 new deaths, +12% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,283 (16,947 total cases)
--- 4.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 439 (294 new cases, -51% change from previous week)