countyscore
72.8
County Score
Cost of Living 96.5Disaster Risk 87Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Bland County, Virginia

Bland County Surges Toward the Top Tier

Boasting a composite score of 72.8, Bland County is a national standout compared to the 50.0 median. It provides a level of affordability and safety that is rare in the current national landscape.

A Top-Ranked Virginia Treasure

Bland County’s score of 72.8 is significantly higher than the Virginia state average of 50.9. It outperforms the vast majority of its neighbors in providing a stable, low-risk environment for its residents.

Peak Affordability and High Safety

The county achieves an elite Cost Score of 92.8, with a median rent of just $683 and home values of $157,100. It combines this value with a high Risk Score of 87.0 and a Water Score of 86.0.

Bridging the Income Gap

The primary area for improvement is the Income Score, which sits at 43.4. While the cost of living is low, the median household income of $61,375 remains lower than many other high-scoring counties in the state.

Best for Budget-Conscious Nature Lovers

Bland County is a dream for retirees or remote workers who want their dollars to stretch further without sacrificing safety or environmental quality. It offers a rare combination of rock-bottom housing costs and top-tier infrastructure.

2040608010077.796.560.467.764.937.6878666.6Tax77.7Cost96.5Safety60.4Health67.7Schools64.9Income37.6Risk87Water86Weather66.672.8/100
This county
National avg
7 above average1 below average

Bland County DNA

Coverall

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

Bland County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Cost of Living (96.5/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
77.7+25.700000000000003
Cost
96.5+48.5
Safety
60.4
Health
67.7+17.700000000000003
Schools
64.9+10.900000000000006
Income
37.6-13.399999999999999
Risk
87+40
Water
86+28
Weather
66.6+10.599999999999994
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Bland County?

Many homeowners in Bland County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$152,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$644/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$152,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,216/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.1

per 100K

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
Compare Bland County with Steele County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Steele County
North Dakota
Median income: $77,500
72.8
Buffalo County
South Dakota
Median income: $47,045
72.8
Cumberland County
Kentucky
Median income: $40,000
72.7
Elliott County
Kentucky
Median income: $45,776
72.7
Pershing County
Nevada
Median income: $66,902
72.7
Treasure County
Montana
Median income: $67,917
72.9
Oliver County
North Dakota
Median income: $77,240
72.9
Dundy County
Nebraska
Median income: $58,922
73

Nearby counties

Wythe County
Virginia
56.3
Mercer County
West Virginia
55.8
Tazewell County
Virginia
48.7
Giles County
Virginia
56.8
Pulaski County
Virginia
46.5
Smyth County
Virginia
56.4
Radford city
Virginia
47.8
Grayson County
Virginia
65.3

Deep Dives

Bland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bland County

via TaxByCounty

Bland's rates exceed national average

At 0.552%, Bland's effective tax rate is significantly higher than the national median of 0.96%, placing it above the 60th percentile nationally. However, the median property tax of $868 remains lower than the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.

Bland above Virginia's average rate

Bland's 0.552% effective rate exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671% somewhat, ranking slightly above the middle among state counties. The median tax of $868 is still below the state median of $1,960.

Mid-range taxes in the region

Bland's 0.552% rate falls between Augusta (0.490%) and Botetourt (0.655%), making it moderate within the eight-county comparison. On a median home value of $157,100, Bland residents pay slightly more in tax rate but less in absolute dollars than nearby counties.

What homeowners pay annually

On Bland's median home value of $157,100, the typical annual property tax bill is $868. Homeowners with mortgages pay $831, while those owning outright pay $892.

Appeal if your home is overvalued

Bland homeowners with higher tax rates should especially verify their assessments, as even small overvaluations compound significantly year after year. An appeal could reduce your annual tax burden substantially.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bland County

via IncomeByCounty

Bland County faces national income gap

Bland County's median household income of $61,375 trails the national median of $74,755 by over $13,000 annually. This significant gap underscores economic challenges common to rural Appalachian communities.

Among Virginia's lower-earning counties

Bland's $61,375 median household income sits roughly $13,600 below Virginia's state average of $74,957. Bland ranks among the Commonwealth's lowest-income counties, reflecting limited job diversity and demographic shifts.

Part of Southwest Virginia's income challenge

Bland County ($61,375) earns similarly to Bath County ($61,709) but far less than the prosperous Piedmont counties like Botetourt ($80,467). This illustrates a regional economic divide between the mountains and the state's more developed areas.

Housing costs remain manageable

Bland County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% is the lowest among all eight counties, a bright spot in an otherwise constrained economy. With a median home value of just $157,100, housing affordability is not the primary financial burden here.

Protect and grow limited resources

Lower housing costs give Bland residents a rare advantage to save, but limited incomes require disciplined financial planning. Prioritize emergency funds, employer-matched retirement benefits, and free financial counseling to build stability amid economic headwinds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Bland County

via CrimeByCounty

Bland County ranks as a national safety leader

Bland County boasts a total crime rate of 913.3, which is drastically lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This equates to an impressive safety score of 98.6 out of 100.

Among the safest counties in Virginia

Bland County's safety score of 98.6 exceeds the state average of 97.3 by a significant margin. Its total crime rate of 913.3 is roughly half the Virginia average of 1728.8.

Regional safety through dedicated reporting

Monitored by two reporting agencies, Bland County maintains crime levels well below its geographic peers. The area remains a benchmark for safety in Southwestern Virginia.

Violent crime is nearly non-existent

The county reports a violent crime rate of only 48.1 per 100,000 people, which is one-eighth of the national average. Property crime accounts for 865.2 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Keeping your property secure in Bland

Despite the very low crime rates, smart home habits like using deadbolts and alarm systems help maintain this peace. Most local incidents are property-related, making perimeter security a top priority.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Bland County

via WeatherByCounty

A Refreshingly Cold Annual Average

Bland County is notably cool, with an average annual temperature of 50.9°F, well below the national median. This climate is defined by its high elevation and mountain geography.

One of Virginia's Coolest Counties

At 50.9°F, Bland County is 5 degrees cooler than the Virginia state average. It maintains one of the lowest annual temperature profiles in the entire Commonwealth.

A Snowy Regional Outlier

Bland County records a substantial 26.9 inches of snowfall annually, surpassing most of its regional neighbors. It also sees only 3 extreme heat days, far fewer than counties in the central Virginia plains.

Minimal Heat and Harsh Winters

July averages stay below 70°F, making for exceptionally mild summers. Winters are rigorous, with a December-to-February average of 33.5°F.

Gear Up for Heavy Snow

Winter tires and heavy-duty heating systems are vital for managing the 26.9 inches of annual snow. Air conditioning is rarely a priority, as the temperature almost never hits 90°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Bland County

via SoilByCounty

Slightly sweet for the region

Bland County features a pH of 5.26, making it slightly less acidic than the state average of 5.23. While it still trends below the national 6.5 median, this profile is favorable for regional agriculture. The soil reflects the complex geology of the Ridge and Valley province.

Silt and sand create stability

The soil is a silty mix, containing 41.4% silt and 34.2% sand. Clay makes up a moderate 16.9%, providing enough binding power to hold nutrients without hindering drainage. This composition offers a stable base for both farming and construction projects.

Vibrant and rich organic content

Bland County boasts an impressive 5.85% organic matter, more than double the state average of 2.90%. This high fertility is paired with an available water capacity of 0.143 in/in, which exactly matches the Virginia average. This combination indicates a very healthy soil ecosystem capable of supporting intense plant growth.

Superior soil quality scores

The county earns a high soil score of 41.6, far outperforming the state average of 30.6. The balanced silt and sand levels suggest steady hydrological performance with minimal runoff risk. This high score reflects a landscape with naturally high productivity and good drainage characteristics.

A gardener's dream in 6b

Bland's 5.85% organic matter makes it one of the most fertile areas in Virginia for Zone 6b gardening. Brassicas, leafy greens, and hardy perennials will thrive here with very little supplemental fertilizer. The rich soil is ready for anyone looking to start a productive homestead garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Bland County

via LawnByCounty

Bland County's High-Performing Lawns

Bland County earns a 63.7 lawn difficulty score, making it much easier to maintain than the state average of 55.4. This Zone 6b region is exceptionally favorable compared to the national median of 50.0.

Cooler Summers Lead to Less Stress

With only 3 extreme heat days compared to the state average of 28, grass here faces very little thermal stress. The 43.3 inches of annual rain is well-timed for the 2,661 growing degree days.

Balancing pH in Balanced Soil

The soil contains 16.9% clay and 34.2% sand, providing a stable foundation that isn't too heavy or too loose. You should still apply lime to raise the 5.26 pH toward the ideal range of 6.0-7.0.

Resilience During Mild Dry Spells

Bland saw 20 weeks of drought over the past year, and 85.9% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Because heat is low, your grass will generally require less water to recover than in hotter parts of the state.

Cool-Season Favorites for Zone 6b

Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass thrive in these cooler temperatures. Wait until after the late spring frost on May 6 to begin your seeding projects for the best results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bland County's county score?
Bland County, Virginia has a composite county score of 72.8 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 Bland County rank among counties in Virginia?
Bland County ranks #2 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 Bland County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Bland County is $846, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns Bland County a tax score of 77.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bland County?
The median household income in Bland County, Virginia is $61,216 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bland County earns an income score of 37.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bland County, Virginia a good place to live?
Bland County scores 72.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Bland 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 Bland 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.