Accomack's composite score of 75.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it well above the typical American county. This strong performance reflects a county where affordability and tax burden are major assets compared to most of the country.
2 / 5
Above average among Virginia counties
With a score of 75.9, Accomack ranks above Virginia's state average of 70.3, making it one of the stronger-performing counties in the Commonwealth. This positions it favorably against most peer Virginia counties.
3 / 5
Tax and housing affordability shine
Accomack excels in tax burden (88.3) with an effective tax rate of just 0.498%, among Virginia's lowest, and in housing affordability (80.3) with median home values of $193,100 and rents at $973/month. These twin strengths make the county particularly attractive to cost-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Income levels lag significantly
The county's income score of 20.9 reflects a median household income of $57,500, notably below state and national standards. Additional health, safety, and school data would provide a fuller picture of livability challenges.
5 / 5
Ideal for budget-conscious retirees
Accomack suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher incomes, particularly those drawn to Virginia's Eastern Shore. The county offers exceptional value, though prospective residents should research schools and services independently.
Accomack's composite score of 75.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it well above the typical American county. This strong performance reflects a county where affordability and tax burden are major assets compared to most of the country.
Above average among Virginia counties
With a score of 75.9, Accomack ranks above Virginia's state average of 70.3, making it one of the stronger-performing counties in the Commonwealth. This positions it favorably against most peer Virginia counties.
Tax and housing affordability shine
Accomack excels in tax burden (88.3) with an effective tax rate of just 0.498%, among Virginia's lowest, and in housing affordability (80.3) with median home values of $193,100 and rents at $973/month. These twin strengths make the county particularly attractive to cost-conscious residents.
Income levels lag significantly
The county's income score of 20.9 reflects a median household income of $57,500, notably below state and national standards. Additional health, safety, and school data would provide a fuller picture of livability challenges.
Ideal for budget-conscious retirees
Accomack suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher incomes, particularly those drawn to Virginia's Eastern Shore. The county offers exceptional value, though prospective residents should research schools and services independently.
Score breakdown
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🏛88.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Accomack's tax rate ranks among the lowest nationally
At 0.498%, Accomack's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.71%, placing it in the bottom 20% of all U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay a median of $962 annually—roughly one-third of the national median tax of $2,690—despite owning homes valued near the national average.
Accomack has Virginia's most affordable property taxes
At 0.498%, Accomack County's effective rate is the lowest in Virginia, significantly below the state average of 0.671%. The county ranks first statewide for tax affordability, charging just $962 in median annual property taxes compared to Virginia's state median of $1,960.
Accomack's 0.498% rate beats comparable rural Virginia counties across the state, offering some of the region's most favorable property tax conditions. With homes valued around $193,100, residents enjoy both lower home prices and lower tax rates than most Virginia alternatives.
The typical Accomack homeowner pays under $1,000 yearly
A median-value home at $193,100 generates approximately $962 in annual property taxes at Accomack's 0.498% rate. Owners with mortgages pay slightly more at $1,190, while those without mortgages pay $851.
Even low-tax Accomack homeowners can appeal assessments
Despite having Virginia's lowest effective tax rate, some Accomack homeowners may still be overassessed on their properties. Filing an assessment appeal—typically a free or low-cost process—could lower your tax obligation even further.
Accomack's rent burden slightly above national norm
Accomack residents spend 20.3% of household income on rent, slightly higher than the U.S. average of 18.6%. With a median household income of $57,500—about 23% below the national median of $74,755—housing costs take a noticeably larger bite out of local paychecks.
Above-average affordability stress for Virginia
Accomack's rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% ranks it as one of Virginia's least affordable counties, above the state average of 18.6%. The median gross rent of $973 is $167 below the state median, but lower incomes here mean affordability is still stretched.
More affordable than rural Virginia peers
Accomack's median rent of $973 is comparable to nearby Amelia County ($972) and undercuts Appomattox County ($883) slightly. However, Accomack's lower median income ($57,500) versus Amelia's ($66,339) makes the same rent burden heavier here.
Renters and owners both stretched
Renters here spend $973 monthly while homeowners pay $686—a relatively modest ownership cost that reflects the county's $193,100 median home value. Together, these housing costs consume roughly one-fifth of the typical household's $57,500 annual income.
Consider Accomack for coastal affordability
If you're seeking a quieter Eastern Shore setting with below-state-average rents, Accomack offers access to waterfront living without the premium prices of Northern Virginia. Budget carefully: your income will need to stretch further here than in higher-wage Virginia counties.
Accomack County's median household income of $57,500 trails the national median of $74,755 by about 23%, placing the county below the U.S. average. This gap suggests households here earn roughly $17,255 less annually than the typical American household.
Below average among Virginia counties
Accomack ranks in the lower tier of Virginia's 133 counties and cities, with median income about 23% below the state average of $74,957. The county's per capita income of $33,213 is also notably below Virginia's state average of $39,155.
Accomack's income compares modestly regionally
Among Eastern Shore and coastal Virginia counties, Accomack's $57,500 median income is competitive but modest. Neighboring counties and similar rural areas in the state generally fall within the $55,000–$67,000 range, placing Accomack solidly in that middle band.
Housing remains affordable here
With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.3%, Accomack County meets the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend roughly one-fifth of their income on housing. The median home value of $193,100 is accessible to middle-income families, supporting broader economic stability.
Build savings while housing costs stay low
Accomack's affordable housing creates opportunity to redirect income toward retirement and investment accounts. Consider consulting a financial advisor about maximizing employer 401(k) matches and building an emergency fund—steps that compound wealth over time.
At 73.8 years, Accomack County residents live nearly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. Nearly one in four residents (23.2%) report poor or fair health, compared to 17% nationally, signaling significant underlying health challenges.
Well below Virginia's health ranking
Accomack's 73.8-year life expectancy trails Virginia's state average of 75.1 years by 1.3 years. The county's poor/fair health rate of 23.2% substantially exceeds the state average, placing Accomack among Virginia's lower-performing counties for population health.
Accomack faces health disparities
Accomack residents live 8+ years less than those in nearby Albemarle County (81.5 years) and nearly 9 years less than Alexandria (82.2 years). The county's 23.2% poor/fair health rate nearly doubles that of its more affluent neighbors, reflecting stark regional inequities.
Primary care access is stretched thin
With only 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Accomack has roughly a quarter of the provider density in Albemarle County (139 per 100K). At 10.9%, the county's uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 7.9%, leaving more residents without regular access to preventive care.
Check your coverage options today
Nearly 1 in 10 Accomack residents lack health insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health center options that could expand your access to care.
With a composite risk score of 81.01, Accomack County ranks as relatively moderate—well above Virginia's state average of 33.27 and significantly higher than the typical U.S. county. This score reflects the county's exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly water-related threats along the Eastern Shore.
Among Virginia's highest-risk counties
Accomack ranks near the top of Virginia's risk distribution, placing it in the riskier percentile statewide. The county's elevated composite score is driven primarily by hurricane and flood exposure, reflecting its coastal geography.
Coastal risk sets Accomack apart
Compared to neighboring inland counties like Alleghany (38.07) and Amelia (11.96), Accomack's score of 81.01 reflects its unique position on the Atlantic barrier islands. The county's hurricane risk (94.45) and flood risk (96.80) are substantially higher than any nearby jurisdictions.
Hurricane and flood dominate your risks
Accomack's hurricane risk score of 94.45 and flood risk of 96.80 represent the county's primary hazards—both reflecting storm surge, coastal flooding, and heavy precipitation events. Tornado risk (18.03) and earthquake risk (51.15) present secondary concerns but remain below the county's water-related threats.
Flood and wind insurance essential here
Given your exposure to hurricanes and flooding, comprehensive homeowners insurance with flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program is critical. Consider also reinforcing roof systems and elevating mechanical systems to withstand storm surge and sustained winds.