CountyScore

Botetourt County

Virginia · VA

#10 in Virginia
75.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Botetourt County, Virginia

Botetourt rises 48% above national average

Botetourt County's composite score of 74.1 towers over the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for livability. This strong national ranking reflects balanced strengths across taxation, affordability, and household income.

Reliable performer above state average

With a score of 74.1, Botetourt exceeds Virginia's state average of 70.3, confirming its position as a solid livability choice within the Commonwealth. The county ranks comfortably in the upper middle of Virginia's competitive landscape.

Strong incomes with reasonable taxes

Botetourt leads this group with an income score of 35.9 and median household income of $80,467, ensuring strong earning power and purchasing capacity. A tax score of 83.8 and cost score of 76.3 keep housing ($268,900 median home value) and tax burden manageable.

Highest tax rate among peers

At 0.655%, Botetourt's effective tax rate is the highest among these eight counties, reducing its tax advantage compared to neighbors. Schools, health, safety, and environmental metrics remain incomplete, obscuring a fuller picture of livability.

Prime choice for income-focused families

Botetourt County best suits middle-to-upper-income families seeking good earning potential paired with reasonable housing costs and community stability. It's the strongest pick for those prioritizing household income alongside affordability and tax efficiency.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.8Cost76.3SafetyComing SoonHealth77.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.9Risk81.9WaterComing Soon
🏛83.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡81.9
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 Botetourt County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Arkansas
75.6
Median income: $63,654
Baca County
Colorado
75.6
Median income: $40,380
Conejos County
Colorado
75.6
Median income: $47,209
East Feliciana Parish
Louisiana
75.6
Median income: $72,899
Winn Parish
Louisiana
75.6
Median income: $46,368

Deep Dives

Botetourt County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Botetourt County

via TaxByCounty

Botetourt taxes exceed national norms

At 0.655%, Botetourt's effective tax rate is slightly below the national median of 0.96% but well above the bottom quartile. The median property tax of $1,761 is about 35% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting moderate home values.

Botetourt near Virginia's state average

At 0.655%, Botetourt's rate is nearly identical to Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it squarely in the middle of the commonwealth. The median tax of $1,761 is slightly below the state median of $1,960.

Highest-taxed county in the region

Botetourt's 0.655% rate is the second-highest in the eight-county region, exceeded only by Bristol city (0.767%). On a median home value of $268,900, Botetourt residents face the steeper tax burden compared to most regional neighbors.

What homeowners pay annually

On Botetourt's median home value of $268,900, the typical annual property tax bill is $1,761. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,762, while those owning outright pay $1,759.

Higher taxes make appeals more valuable

Botetourt's above-average tax rate means that even modest assessment reductions can yield significant annual savings. If you haven't reviewed your assessment recently, it's especially worthwhile to request a reassessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Botetourt County

via CostByCounty

Botetourt residents earn more, pay less

Botetourt County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% sits well below the 30% affordability mark, and the median income of $80,467 exceeds the national average by over $5,700. This combination—higher-than-average income plus lower-than-average housing burden—positions Botetourt as one of Virginia's strongest housing values.

Best affordability in the region

Botetourt's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio beats Virginia's 18.6% state average, and at $80,467, the median income ranks among the state's highest. The county delivers both strong local wages and reasonable rents, a rare combination in competitive housing markets.

Highest income, nearly lowest rent

Botetourt's median income of $80,467 tops nearby Augusta ($79,972) and Bedford ($77,644), while rents are nearly identical across the three at $951, $1,057, and $955 respectively. This income advantage makes Botetourt the most comfortable choice for renters and homebuyers in the central Virginia cluster.

Strong income cushion for all households

Renters allocate $951 monthly (14.2% of income) while homeowners spend $978 (also roughly 14.2%), both well within the affordable range on a median income of $80,467. The median home value of $268,900 is accessible to area earners, making both renting and buying realistic options.

Botetourt: buy or rent with confidence

Moving to Virginia's Blue Ridge region? Botetourt County combines the region's strongest median income ($80,467) with competitive rents ($951) and moderate home prices ($268,900). Its 14.2% rent-to-income ratio is among the state's best—a genuine advantage worth investigating before relocating.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Botetourt County

via IncomeByCounty

Botetourt leads Virginia in household income

Botetourt County's median household income of $80,467 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by nearly $5,700. This strong performance places Botetourt among the nation's better-earning counties and reflects robust local economic opportunity.

Among Virginia's highest-earning counties

At $80,467, Botetourt exceeds the Virginia state average of $74,957 by 7.4%, standing as one of the Commonwealth's top earners. This achievement reflects manufacturing, professional services, and a diversified tax base.

Anchors the prosperous Piedmont-Blue Ridge corridor

Botetourt ($80,467) slightly edges Augusta ($79,972) and Bedford ($77,644) in this three-county prosperity zone. All three cluster well above state and national averages, showing consistent strength across the region.

Best-in-class housing affordability

Botetourt's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% is among the lowest in the state, meaning households keep more of their earnings for savings and investment. A median home value of $268,900 is highly accessible for median earners, enabling substantial home equity accumulation.

Leverage Botetourt's economic advantages

With the highest income and lowest housing burden among these eight counties, Botetourt residents should aggressively pursue investment goals. Consider real estate diversification, education savings plans, and retirement acceleration strategies to turn current advantage into generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Botetourt County

via HealthByCounty

Botetourt leads on longevity and wellness

Botetourt County residents live to 77.6 years on average, exceeding the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by 1.2 years. Just 15.3% report poor or fair health, well below the national rate of 18%, reflecting strong population health.

Among Virginia's healthiest counties

Botetourt County's 77.6-year life expectancy ranks among the top in Virginia, surpassing the state average of 75.1 years by 2.5 years. This substantial advantage places the county in the upper tier of Virginia's health performance.

Second healthiest in the mountain region

Only Augusta County (78.0 years) edges out Botetourt's 77.6-year life expectancy among nearby counties. With 56 primary care and 59 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Botetourt offers solid access to both primary and behavioral health.

Lowest uninsured rate in peer group

At 5.3%, Botetourt County has the lowest uninsured rate among comparable Virginia counties—well below the state average of 7.9%. Strong insurance coverage combined with adequate provider access means most residents can navigate the healthcare system without barriers.

Protect your excellent health gains

Botetourt's exceptional health outcomes reflect years of good access and prevention—don't let coverage lapse. Review your plan during open enrollment at healthcare.gov to ensure continuous protection for your family's health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Botetourt County

via RiskByCounty

Botetourt ranks among America's safer counties

Botetourt County's composite risk score of 18.10 places it well below the national average, earning a 'Very Low' disaster rating. This strong standing reflects the county's Blue Ridge footprint and distance from major hurricane and tornado corridors. Residents enjoy substantially lower hazard exposure than most Americans.

Virginia's third-safest county overall

Botetourt's score of 18.10 is roughly 45% of Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the state's most protected communities. Only Bath County (5.38) and Bland County (13.04) rank safer statewide. This positioning reflects favorable geography and relative isolation from major storm tracks.

Botetourt sits in low-risk mountain cluster

Bath County (5.38) and Bland County (13.04) share similarly favorable profiles, while Augusta County (68.61) to the east and Buchanan County (50.60) to the southwest show substantially higher exposure. Botetourt anchors the state's safest subcategory. This neighborhood concentration of low risk is genuinely rare in Virginia.

Flood risk outpaces other relatively modest threats

Botetourt's highest hazard—flood risk at 42.37—remains solidly below state average, with hurricane (56.03) and earthquake (35.66) exposure also moderate. Wildfire (25.06) and tornado (12.02) risks are minimal. Overall, this county avoids the severe concentrations of any single hazard type.

Standard coverage is typically sufficient

Botetourt's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance generally provides adequate protection without expensive add-ons. However, examine your specific property's proximity to streams or low-lying terrain, and confirm policy limits match current rebuilding costs. Regular coverage reviews ensure your protection stays aligned with home value changes.

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.