CountyScore

Amelia County

Virginia · VA

#27 in Virginia
73.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Amelia County, Virginia

Amelia excels well above national baseline

Amelia's composite score of 75.5 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, demonstrating above-average livability by U.S. standards. The county delivers solid fundamentals across tax and cost dimensions.

Stronger than Virginia's typical county

At 75.5, Amelia's score exceeds Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it among the Commonwealth's more desirable counties. This performance reflects competitive advantages in taxes and affordability.

Lowest taxes, affordable housing combine

Amelia boasts Virginia's lowest effective tax rate at 0.431% (tax score: 90.1) and solid housing affordability (cost score: 76.8) with median home values of $239,700 and rents at $972/month. This tax-affordability combination is exceptional.

Income levels remain modest

The income score of 26.7 reflects a median household income of $66,339, below state averages. School, health, and safety data remain incomplete, requiring independent verification.

Ideal for tax-conscious rural families

Amelia appeals to families seeking maximum tax efficiency and affordable rural living outside major metro areas. Residents with modest-to-moderate incomes will find their dollars stretch furthest in this lower-tax environment.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax90.1Cost76.8SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.7Risk88.1WaterComing Soon
🏛90.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Amelia County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Las Animas County
Colorado
73.9
Median income: $50,408
Phillips County
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73.9
Median income: $60,372
Blackford County
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73.9
Median income: $47,560
O'Brien County
Iowa
73.9
Median income: $68,216
Allen County
Kentucky
73.9
Median income: $59,029

Deep Dives

Amelia County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Amelia County

via CostByCounty

Amelia offers better housing deals than national average

Amelia residents spend 17.6% of household income on rent, beating the national average of 18.6% while maintaining a median household income of $66,339, just under the U.S. median of $74,755. This combination makes Amelia a genuinely affordable option for moderate-income households.

Virginia's sweet spot for balanced affordability

Amelia's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% ranks among Virginia's most affordable, sitting 1.0 percentage point below the state average of 18.6%. The median gross rent of $972 is $168 below the state median, delivered with solid local incomes.

Competitive with rural Virginia's best deals

Amelia's $972 median rent nearly matches Accomack ($973) and falls between Appomattox ($883) and Amherst ($842), while its rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% beats most rural peers. It represents a balanced choice among central Virginia's lower-cost counties.

Stable costs across renting and owning

Renters pay $972 monthly while homeowners pay $919—nearly equal burdens—on a $66,339 median household income. Together, housing consumes roughly 18% of income, slightly below state average and quite manageable for working families.

Amelia balances affordability with stability

If you seek a rural, stable community with below-state-average housing costs and solid local incomes, Amelia offers genuine value without extreme tradeoffs. The county's central location makes it accessible to Richmond employment and larger regional opportunities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Amelia County

via HealthByCounty

Amelia's life expectancy lags nation

Amelia County residents live to 73.6 years on average—5.7 years below the U.S. average of 79.3 years. One in five (20.2%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national rate of 17% and indicating significant health challenges.

Bottom tier of Virginia health rankings

At 73.6 years, Amelia's life expectancy falls 1.5 years below Virginia's state average of 75.1 years. The county's 20.2% poor/fair health rate substantially exceeds the state average, placing it among Virginia's lower-performing rural counties.

Amelia faces rural health crisis

Amelia residents live shorter lives than those in nearby Appomattox (77.2 years) and Amherst (75.5 years) counties. The county's critically low primary care density—just 8 providers per 100K—represents the lowest rate among peers, creating severe access barriers.

Provider shortage creates daily barriers

With only 8 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Amelia faces one of Virginia's most severe rural healthcare shortages. At 10.5%, the uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 7.9%, compounding access challenges for vulnerable residents.

Get insured and find care resources

If uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or dmas.virginia.gov to explore Medicaid expansion and marketplace options. Consider federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and telehealth services as supplements to limited local provider networks.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Amelia County

via RiskByCounty

Amelia ranks among Virginia's safest counties

Amelia County's composite risk score of 11.96 rates as very low and ranks well below Virginia's state average of 33.27. This piedmont county enjoys relative protection from major natural disaster hazards.

Among Virginia's lowest-risk jurisdictions

With a score of 11.96, Amelia ranks in Virginia's safest tier, placing it in the bottom quartile for disaster risk statewide. The county's inland piedmont location shields it from coastal threats.

Safest in a low-risk region

Amelia's 11.96 score is similar to nearby Appomattox (5.09) and notably lower than slightly more exposed Amherst (20.99). The county benefits from its central piedmont position away from coastal, mountain, and high-seismic zones.

Hurricane and earthquake are secondary concerns

Even Amelia's highest individual hazard scores—hurricane (67.75) and earthquake (49.49)—remain moderate compared to other Virginia counties. Flood (11.39), wildfire (6.30), and tornado (19.85) risks are all minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Your relatively low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance generally provides adequate protection for most hazards. Focus on routine maintenance and emergency preparedness rather than specialized coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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