countyscore
54
County Score
Property Tax 94.4Disaster Risk 88.1Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Amelia County, Virginia

Comfortably Above the National Median

Amelia County achieves a composite score of 54.9, significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. It offers a stable, low-risk environment that appeals to many.

Stronger Than the State Average

Amelia outpaces the Virginia state average of 50.9 by four points. This makes it one of the more balanced counties in the Central Virginia region.

Low Tax Burden and High Safety

Amelia features a massive Tax Score of 91.9, supported by a very low effective tax rate of 0.431%. It is also exceptionally safe from natural disasters, with a Risk Score of 88.1.

Moderate Costs and Health Gaps

Housing affordability is moderate with a Cost Score of 35.0 and median home values of $239,700. The county could also improve its Health Score, which currently stands at 38.3.

Ideal for Secure, Tax-Savvy Residents

Amelia is perfect for those seeking a low-tax, low-risk lifestyle in a quiet setting. It attracts residents who value physical safety and fiscal responsibility over urban health amenities.

2040608010094.423.850.638.34976.588.18664.8Tax94.4Cost23.8Safety50.6Health38.3Schools49Income76.5Risk88.1Water86Weather64.854/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Amelia County DNA

Foverall

How Amelia County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Amelia County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (94.4/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (23.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
94.4+42.400000000000006
Cost
23.8-24.2
Safety
50.6
Health
38.3-11.700000000000003
Schools
49
Income
76.5+25.5
Risk
88.1+41.099999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
64.8+8.799999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Amelia County

Whether buying or refinancing in Amelia County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$282,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,164/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$282,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$46,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $76,717/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

7.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Amelia County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Amelia County

via TaxByCounty

Amelia has the lowest property tax rate in Virginia

At 0.431%, Amelia County's effective property tax rate ranks in the bottom 5% of all U.S. counties, well below the national median of 0.71%. Median annual taxes of $1,034 sit far below the national median of $2,690, making Amelia one of America's most tax-friendly counties.

Amelia leads Virginia in property tax affordability

At 0.431%, Amelia's effective rate is the lowest across Virginia, 36% below the state average of 0.671%, and ranks first statewide. The median tax of $1,034 is just 53% of Virginia's state median of $1,960.

Amelia undercuts all comparable Piedmont counties

Amelia's 0.431% rate is significantly lower than other Central Virginia counties, offering exceptional tax savings for a rural property. With median home values around $239,700, residents enjoy one of Virginia's best combinations of affordable housing and minimal tax burden.

Amelia homeowners pay under $1,100 typically annually

A median-value home at $239,700 generates approximately $1,034 in annual property taxes at Amelia's 0.431% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,173, while those without mortgages pay $806.

Even low rates don't prevent overassessment errors

Amelia's exceptional 0.431% rate already favors property owners, but assessment accuracy still matters for preserving savings. Homeowners should verify that their properties are correctly valued, as even minor overassessments can add up over time.

Income & Jobs in Amelia County

via IncomeByCounty

Amelia's incomes run below the national average

Amelia County's median household income of $66,339 falls about 11% short of the national median of $74,755. Households here earn roughly $8,416 less annually than the typical American family.

Below Virginia's average, but gaining ground

Amelia's median household income of $66,339 is about 11% below Virginia's state average of $74,957. The county's per capita income of $33,626 is about 14% below the state average, reflecting a more rural economic base.

Amelia holds middle ground in central Virginia

Amelia's $66,339 income sits between lower-earning Appalachian counties (like Alleghany at $55,160) and wealthier central Virginia areas (like Albemarle at $102,617). This positioning reflects Amelia's semi-rural character and access to broader regional employment.

Housing remains affordable and accessible

With a rent-to-income ratio of 17.6%, Amelia meets affordability standards comfortably, with renters spending less than 18% of income on housing. The median home value of $239,700 is reasonably priced relative to median household income, supporting homeownership goals.

Use affordable housing to fuel investment growth

Amelia's low housing burden creates space to invest in retirement accounts and build savings. Meeting with a financial planner about automating monthly contributions to retirement funds and building an investment strategy can transform housing savings into long-term wealth over decades.

Safety in Amelia County

via CrimeByCounty

Amelia County Ranks Highly for Safety

Amelia County earns an impressive safety score of 98.2, far surpassing national norms. Its total crime rate of 1,112.0 per 100K is less than half of the national average.

Surpassing the Virginia Safety Average

Amelia’s safety score of 98.2 easily beats the state average of 97.3. Two reporting agencies maintain a consistent and transparent record of local safety.

Safe Haven Compared to Regional Centers

Amelia is significantly safer than Alleghany, which has a total crime rate of 2,269.3. It also has a lower violent crime rate (127.7) than most other counties in this list.

Very Low Violent Crime Rates

Amelia sees only 127.7 violent crimes per 100K, which is exceptionally low compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also controlled, sitting at 984.3.

Maintain Your Peace of Mind

Low crime rates thrive on community involvement and proactive property maintenance. Keeping your home well-lit at night helps preserve Amelia's high safety standards.

Weather & Climate in Amelia County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Rainy Southern Climate

Amelia averages 58.4°F, placing it well above the national temperature median. It receives 45.4 inches of rain, consistent with the humid climate of the American Southeast.

Leading the State in Heat

With an average of 58.4°F, Amelia is warmer than the Virginia average of 55.9°F. It experiences 42 days over 90°F, nearly double the frequency of some neighboring counties.

Hotter Than the Piedmont Neighbors

Amelia's 42 extreme heat days distinguish it from Albemarle's 23. While it shares similar rainfall with the state average, its summer intensity is much higher.

Intense Summers and Gentle Winters

Summers are hot with a July average of 78.5°F. Winters stay relatively mild at 40.0°F, resulting in a modest 8.3 inches of annual snowfall.

Beat the Summer Heat

High-efficiency cooling systems are a priority for the frequent 90°F days. Residents should also plan outdoor activities for the morning to avoid peak afternoon heat.

Soil Quality in Amelia County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic and Sandy Piedmont Plains

Amelia's soil pH is quite low at 5.03, falling below the Virginia average of 5.23 and well under the national median of 6.5. The county's overall soil score of 17.4 is lower than the state average, suggesting the land requires careful management to be productive. These acidic conditions are typical of the weathered soils found across the Virginia Piedmont.

Sandy Dominance with Clay Texture

Sand dominates the soil here at 59.5%, while silt accounts for 25.3% and clay for 15.2%. This high sand percentage makes the soil feel gritty and allows for rapid water infiltration but can lead to lower nutrient stability. The moderate clay content provides enough structure to prevent the soil from becoming purely granular.

Strong Hydration Despite Low Nutrients

Organic matter in Amelia is low at 1.34%, which is less than half the state average of 2.90%. However, the available water capacity of 0.150 in/in actually exceeds the state average of 0.143. This means the soil is surprisingly good at holding moisture for plants, even if it lacks high natural nutrient levels.

Rapid Infiltration and Moisture Management

While drainage class data is missing, the nearly 60% sand content indicates that the soil drains quickly after heavy rain. This prevents root rot but may require more frequent fertilization, as water can carry nutrients deep into the ground. Gardeners should use mulch to help preserve the moisture that the silty-clay components try to hold.

Berries and Acid-Lovers in 7b

Amelia sits in Hardiness Zone 7b, where blueberries and azaleas will thrive in the naturally acidic, moisture-retentive soil. Vegetable gardeners should consider adding lime to raise the pH and compost to boost the low organic matter. With these simple steps, your sandy-loam soil can become a flourishing oasis.

Lawn Care in Amelia County

via LawnByCounty

Amelia Lawns Require Active Care

With a lawn difficulty score of 46.7, Amelia County falls below both the state and national averages for ease of maintenance. The zone 7b climate presents specific challenges that require a disciplined approach to lawn health.

Enduring Intense Summer Heat Waves

The county faces 42 extreme heat days per year, which is far above the state average of 28. These high temperatures, combined with 4,398 growing degree days, put immense stress on lawns during the peak growing season.

Navigating Sandy and Acidic Soil

Amelia’s soil is 59.5% sand and has a low pH of 5.03, creating a difficult environment for standard turf. You will need to amend the soil with lime to raise the pH and add organic matter to improve the water-holding capacity of the sand.

Managing Water in High-Heat Zones

Although only 55.3% of the county is currently abnormally dry, the 42 heat days make water conservation critical. Over the past year, the county endured 22 weeks of drought, necessitating a strategic irrigation plan.

Heat-Tolerant Choices for Amelia

Tall Fescue or heat-tolerant Bermudagrass are the best bets for this climate. Plan your seeding for early April or late October, keeping an eye on the typical frost dates of April 7th and November 2nd.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amelia County's county score?
Amelia County, Virginia has a composite county score of 54 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Amelia County rank among counties in Virginia?
Amelia County ranks #61 among all counties in Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Amelia County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Amelia County is $1,079, with an effective tax rate of 0.38%. This earns Amelia County a tax score of 94.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Amelia County?
The median household income in Amelia County, Virginia is $76,717 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Amelia County earns an income score of 76.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Amelia County, Virginia a good place to live?
Amelia County scores 54/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #61 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Amelia County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Amelia County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.