County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Hertford County, NC

$8,053 a year for center-based infant care - 17.4% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

Center-based infant care in Hertford County, NC costs $8,053/year, while family childcare is $6,327/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 17.4% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $6,907/year, and preschool-age care is $6,860/year.

Hertford County vs. the nation

At $8,053 a year for center-based infant care, Hertford County, NC is 16% below the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 59% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 17.4% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$8,053/yr
Vs. national avg
-16%
National rank
#1,079 cheapest of 2,662
Share of income
17.4%

Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.

$8,053
Center Infant/yr
$6,327
Family Infant/yr
$46,196
Median Income
17.4%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group Center-Based Family Childcare
Infant $8,053 $6,327
Toddler $6,907 $5,685
Preschool $6,860 $5,527
School Age $3,717 $3,168

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $8,053
Toddler $6,907
Preschool $6,860
School Age $3,717

Where Hertford County ranks on infant-care cost

Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices

$8,053 more affordable than 59% of 2,662 US counties

This county $2,500 $32,500 every U.S. county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022

What These Numbers Mean for Hertford County Families

Weighed against a $46,196 median household income, Hertford County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 17.4% of gross income. Against the federal 7% affordability benchmark, the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 10.4 points.Between 15-20% of income, Hertford County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care.

For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.

The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 8 years, from 2014 through 2022.

+7.5% since 2014
Infant center care: $7,494 → $8,053
$8,053/yr
Most recent annual cost (2022)
8 years
Data available (2014–2022)
2014
$7,494
2015
$7,324
2016
$7,335
2017
$7,345
2018
$7,356
2019
$7,367
2020
$7,377
2022
$8,053
View full data table (all care types)
Year Ctr Infant
2008 N/A
2009 N/A
2010 N/A
2011 N/A
2012 N/A
2013 N/A
2014 $7,494
2015 $7,324
2016 $7,335
2017 $7,345
2018 $7,356
2019 $7,367
2020 $7,377
2021 N/A
2022 $8,053

What this means for Hertford County families

Infant center care here takes 17.4% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

  • At 17.4% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
  • Family childcare homes run $6,327/year for infants, about $1,726 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
  • See how Hertford County compares against the cheapest counties in North Carolina. Cheapest in North Carolina

NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Hertford County, NC?
In Hertford County, NC, center-based infant care costs $8,053/year. Family childcare for infants is $6,327/year. Preschool center-based care costs $6,860/year.
Is childcare affordable in Hertford County, NC?
Hertford County, NC's median household income is $46,196; center-based infant care eats 17.4% of that. The federal affordability line is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 10.4 percentage points.
What is the cheapest childcare option in Hertford County, NC?
Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in Hertford County, NC. Preschool family care costs $5,527/year compared to $6,860/year for center-based care, a difference of $1,333/year. Family childcare operates in a provider's home and usually has smaller group sizes.
How much does before- and after-school care cost in Hertford County, NC?
School-age childcare (ages 6-12) in Hertford County, NC costs $3,717/year for center-based care and $3,168/year for family childcare. These costs cover before-school, after-school, and summer programs while parents work.