countyscore
75.8
County Score
Disaster Risk 94.7Property Tax 94.2Schools 86.7

County Report Card

About Bath County, Virginia

Bath County Reaches Elite National Standing

Earning a remarkable composite score of 74.4, Bath County ranks far above the national median of 50.0. This score indicates an exceptional standard of living that rivals the top-performing counties in the United States.

Dominating the Virginia Leaderboard

Bath County's 74.4 composite score dwarfs the Virginia state average of 50.9. It represents one of the most livable regions in the Commonwealth, characterized by safety and stability.

Exceptional Safety and Low Risk

The county shines with a Risk Score of 94.7 and a Tax Score of 93.6, supported by an impressively low 0.405% tax rate. Education is another pillar of strength, with a School Score of 86.7.

Room to Grow in Health and Income

Despite its many strengths, the county has an Income Score of 44.3 and a Health Score of 49.0. Residents navigate a landscape where median incomes are $61,709, lower than many neighboring high-performers.

A Haven for Families and Retirees

Bath County is perfect for those prioritizing safety, elite schools, and a low tax burden in a secure environment. It offers an incredibly high quality of life for those whose careers or savings allow them to bypass the local income constraints.

2040608010094.277.8814986.723.794.78667Tax94.2Cost77.8Safety81Health49Schools86.7Income23.7Risk94.7Water86Weather6775.8/100
This county
National avg
7 above average1 below average

Bath County DNA

C+overall

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

Bath County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (94.7/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
94.2+42.2
Cost
77.8+29.799999999999997
Safety
81+26
Health
49
Schools
86.7+32.7
Income
23.7-27.3
Risk
94.7+47.7
Water
86+28
Weather
67+11
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Compare mortgage rates in Bath County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$206,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$736/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$206,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,184/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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54.1
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Deep Dives

Bath County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bath County

via TaxByCounty

Bath offers exceptional tax relief

At 0.405%, Bath County has the lowest effective tax rate in this region and sits in the bottom 15% nationally. The median property tax of $834 is roughly 69% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Bath is Virginia's most tax-friendly county

Bath's 0.405% effective rate is the lowest among all Virginia counties, well below the state average of 0.671%. At just $834 annually, the median property tax is less than 43% of the state median of $1,960.

Regional tax leader by a wide margin

Bath significantly undercuts every other county in the region, with a rate 22% lower than Buchanan (0.442%) and 40% lower than Bland (0.552%). On a median home value of $206,000, Bath residents enjoy some of the lowest property tax burdens in Virginia.

What homeowners pay annually

On Bath's median home value of $206,000, the typical annual property tax bill is $834. Homeowners with mortgages pay $917, while those owning outright pay $770.

Protect your low-tax advantage

Even at the state's lowest tax rate, some Bath County homeowners may still be overassessed based on comparable sales. Consider requesting a reassessment if your property hasn't been reviewed in several years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bath County

via IncomeByCounty

Bath County trails the national income average

Bath County's median household income of $61,709 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $13,000 per year. This gap reflects economic conditions that differ from the national norm, highlighting local earning challenges.

Below-average earner in Virginia

At $61,709, Bath County's median household income falls about $13,200 below Virginia's state average of $74,957. This positioning places Bath among the lower-earning Virginia counties, signaling a need for economic development focus.

Mixed fortunes among mountain counties

Bath County ($61,709) earns more than Bland County ($61,375) but significantly less than nearby Botetourt ($80,467) and Augusta ($79,972). The regional income diversity reflects differences in industry presence and population dynamics across the Appalachian foothills.

Housing remains affordable here

Bath County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% stays comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, offering residents breathing room in their budgets. A median home value of $206,000 is achievable for households earning the county median, making homeownership realistic.

Start small, aim big with Bath's affordability

Lower housing costs free up capital for emergency savings and retirement planning—often harder to prioritize in higher-income areas. Bath residents should leverage this affordability advantage to build savings accounts and consider employer retirement plans as foundational wealth-building tools.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Bath County

via CrimeByCounty

Bath County ranks among the nation's safest

With an exceptional safety score of 99.3, Bath County reports a total crime rate of just 454.8 per 100,000 residents. This rate is nearly five times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Top-tier safety ranking within Virginia

Bath County far exceeds the Virginia average safety score of 97.3, placing it among the elite for public safety. Its total crime rate of 454.8 is a fraction of the state's 1728.8 average.

Setting the regional standard for security

Compared to its peers, Bath County maintains an incredibly low incident profile across its two reporting agencies. Its violent crime rate of 191.5 is lower than both the state and national averages.

Minimal crime across all categories

The county reports a property crime rate of 263.3, which is roughly eight times lower than the national average of 2,015.7. Violent incidents are also infrequent, totaling 191.5 per 100,000 people.

Securing your home in a quiet county

The low crime rates in Bath County reflect a peaceful community, but basic security measures remain wise. Simple steps like locking doors and notifying neighbors when away ensure these high safety levels continue.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Bath County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cooler Appalachian Climate

Bath County’s annual average temperature of 51.4°F is significantly cooler than the national median. This mountain climate keeps the region refreshed throughout the year.

Well Below the State Average

With an average of 51.4°F, the county sits more than 4 degrees cooler than the Virginia average of 55.9°F. It ranks among the state's more temperate highland regions.

Cooler than Neighboring Valleys

Bath County averages 25.3 inches of snow annually, which is much higher than many central Virginia neighbors. Its July average of 71.1°F provides a sharp contrast to the humid heat found further east.

Mild Summers and Snowy Winters

The county experiences only 5 extreme heat days above 90°F each year. Winters are cold, with January temperatures averaging 30.6°F and significant snowfall.

Prioritize Winter Readiness

Residents should invest in high-quality snow removal equipment to manage the 25.3 inches of annual snow. While air conditioning is less critical, efficient home heating is essential for the 32.7°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Bath County

via SoilByCounty

Strongly acidic profiles in Bath

Bath County features one of the more acidic soil profiles in the region with an average pH of 4.96. This is significantly more acidic than the state average of 5.23 and the national benchmark of 6.5. This high acidity levels suggest a forest-influenced landscape that naturally favors acid-loving vegetation.

Silt leads the textural blend

The soil composition is dominated by 40.0% silt and 39.1% sand, creating a medium-textured ground. Clay remains relatively low at 17.0%, which helps prevent the soil from becoming overly sticky or difficult to plow. This silt-heavy mix allows for decent root penetration while maintaining soil structure.

Exceptional organic matter levels

Bath County's soil contains 4.04% organic matter, nearly double the national average of 2.0% and far exceeding Virginia's 2.90%. This fertility is paired with an available water capacity of 0.146 in/in, which beats the state average. These numbers indicate a soil that is highly capable of supporting robust plant growth and retaining vital nutrients.

High scores for moisture management

The county earns a soil score of 34.3, comfortably surpassing the state average of 30.6. Though specific drainage class data is unavailable, the high organic matter and silt content suggest excellent natural filtration and hydration. The soil's ability to hold more water than the state average makes it resilient during dry spells.

Cool climate gardening in Zone 6b

Bath's 6b hardiness zone and rich organic matter are perfect for berries, rhododendrons, and mountain-hardy perennials. The naturally acidic soil is an asset for blueberries and evergreens. Residents can take advantage of this superior fertility to establish lush, resilient gardens.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Bath County

via LawnByCounty

Bath County's Balanced Growing Conditions

Bath County scores 53.1 for lawn difficulty, placing it just below the state average of 55.4. As a Zone 6b region, it is slightly easier to maintain than the national median of 50.0.

Cooler Summers Benefit Cool-Season Grass

With only 5 extreme heat days per year and 46.5 inches of rain, the climate is very gentle on turf. The growing season is supported by 2,878 growing degree days, ideal for steady but manageable mowing schedules.

Neutralizing Very Acidic Mountain Soils

The local soil pH is 4.96, which is significantly more acidic than the 6.0-7.0 range grass prefers. The texture includes 17.0% clay and 39.1% sand, which helps the ground retain moisture even as you work to raise the pH.

Coping with Thirty-One Weeks of Drought

The county has spent 31 weeks in drought this past year, and 99.9% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Mulch your clippings to return moisture and nutrients to the soil during these extended dry periods.

Start Growing After the April Frost

Fine fescues and Kentucky bluegrass are well-suited for the cooler Zone 6b climate here. Wait for the final spring frost around April 26 to ensure your new seeds have the best chance to thrive.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bath County's county score?
Bath County, Virginia has a composite county score of 75.8 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 Bath County rank among counties in Virginia?
Bath County ranks #1 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 Bath County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Bath County is $797, with an effective tax rate of 0.39%. This earns Bath County a tax score of 94.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bath County?
The median household income in Bath County, Virginia is $56,184 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bath County earns an income score of 23.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bath County, Virginia a good place to live?
Bath County scores 75.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #1 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Bath 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 Bath County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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