Williamston, NC
Williamston wildfire risk explained
Williamston sits at the 45th percentile nationally for wildfire risk to structures — modestly above the national average for wildfire risk — per USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities model, built from its 3,057 counted buildings, not vegetation cover alone. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Fire likelihood alone (USFS's burn-probability figure) ranks Williamston at the 46th national percentile — 1 points above its risk-to-structures score, a gap driven by how much is actually built there.
Williamston's building exposure, zone by zone
3,057 buildings are counted in Williamston, and 66.5% of them are Indirect exposure — ember-driven risk rather than the 33.4% in Direct exposure or the 0.1% rated Minimal.
Where Williamston ranks
Williamston ranks lower within North Carolina (26th percentile statewide) than its 45th national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Williamston ranks 17,282 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 5,344 by building count (1 is largest). Within North Carolina alone, it ranks 572 of 772 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for North Carolina on its state page.
Shopping for coverage in Williamston
At the 45th national percentile, Williamston rates elevated for wildfire risk — well short of the threshold where insurers have been withdrawing coverage, though comparing a quote costs nothing either way.
Hardening a home in Williamston
With ember exposure the dominant pattern in Williamston (66.5% Indirect), vent screens and roofing material tend to matter more than lot clearing alone. The home-hardening guide covers both.
Where Williamston's figures come from
The methodology guide shows exactly how USFS turned 3,057 counted buildings into the percentiles shown above for Williamston. The exposure-zones guide covers what Williamston's dominant indirect exposure actually means, with real examples from across the dataset.