CountyScore

Brunswick County

Virginia · VA

#53 in Virginia
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Brunswick County, Virginia

Brunswick beats national median by 52%

Brunswick County's composite score of 76.0 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, ranking it among America's more livable rural counties. This strong performance reflects excellent value in tax burden and housing costs.

Virginia's above-average rural choice

Brunswick's 76.0 score comfortably exceeds Virginia's state average of 70.3, securing its place among the Commonwealth's most livable counties. Rural Virginians find solid livability metrics here.

Exceptional housing affordability

Brunswick delivers a cost score of 82.1 with the second-lowest home values in this group at $132,700 and rent at just $864/month. A tax score of 87.1 with an effective rate of 0.541% ensures minimal tax burden.

Limited income and incomplete data

An income score of 18.0 reflects a median household income of $52,978, among the lowest in this comparison, indicating sparse high-wage employment. Schools, health, safety, and environmental quality data remain unavailable.

Bargain rural option for cost-cutters

Brunswick County appeals to retirees and remote workers seeking rural peace with rock-bottom housing costs and low taxes. It's a stripped-down livability proposition: cheap living with limited local economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost82.1SafetyComing SoonHealth62.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome18Risk71.9WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.9
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 Brunswick County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chilton County
Alabama
72.2
Median income: $61,873
Baker County
Florida
72.2
Median income: $70,833
Dade County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $58,936
Oconee County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $115,925
Dearborn County
Indiana
72.2
Median income: $82,693

Deep Dives

Brunswick County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Brunswick County

via TaxByCounty

Brunswick taxes below national average

At 0.541%, Brunswick's effective tax rate is significantly lower than the national median of 0.96%, placing it in the bottom 30% nationally. The median property tax of $718 is roughly 73% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Brunswick below Virginia's state average

Brunswick's 0.541% rate is notably lower than Virginia's state average of 0.671%, ranking in the bottom quartile of state counties. The median tax of $718 is less than 37% of the state median of $1,960.

Low-tax advantage among neighbors

Brunswick's 0.541% rate is lower than Bland (0.552%), Botetourt (0.655%), and Bristol (0.767%), making it one of the more affordable counties in the region. On a median home value of $132,700, Brunswick offers some of the lowest tax burden in the eight-county area.

What homeowners pay annually

On Brunswick's median home value of $132,700, the typical annual property tax bill is $718. Homeowners with mortgages pay $801, while those owning outright pay $646.

Verify your assessment stays accurate

Even with low tax rates, Brunswick homeowners should ensure their assessments reflect current market values to protect their advantage. A reassessment request can prevent paying taxes on inflated property values.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brunswick County

via CostByCounty

Brunswick stretches tight budgets further

Brunswick County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% approaches the 30% affordability threshold, with a median income of $52,978 that trails the national average by over $21,000. Even though nominal rent is modest at $864, the low local wages create genuine affordability pressure.

Among Virginia's least affordable counties

Brunswick's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Virginia's 18.6% state average and reflects the county's economic challenges. The median household income of $52,978 ranks among the state's lowest, making even reasonably priced rents ($864) proportionally burdensome compared to wealthier regions.

Low income compounds moderate rents

Brunswick's $864 rent is reasonable compared to central Virginia ($951–$1,057) but exceeds the very cheapest counties like Bland ($683) and Buchanan ($712). The real problem: at $52,978, Brunswick's median income is lower than Bland's ($61,375) and Buchanan's ($42,216)—note that Buchanan is actually lower—making proportional housing costs higher.

Income-to-housing mismatch

Renters allocate $864 monthly (19.6% of income) while homeowners spend $703 (15.9% of income) on a median household income of $52,978. The gap reveals that renting consumes more of household earnings than homeowning, an unusual pattern reflecting the county's modest wage base and relatively low property values ($132,700).

Brunswick: best for homeowners with income

Brunswick County's 15.9% homeowner burden and $132,700 median home value suit buyers with external income sources or remote work. Renters face a tighter 19.6% squeeze, so weigh job prospects carefully—Brunswick's $52,978 median income may not stretch far without specialized employment or outside income support.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brunswick County

via IncomeByCounty

Brunswick County lags far behind national income

Brunswick County's median household income of $52,978 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $22,000 per year. This substantial gap reflects long-term economic challenges in this rural Southside Virginia community.

Among Virginia's lowest-income counties

At $52,978, Brunswick falls about $22,000 below Virginia's state average of $74,957, placing it among the Commonwealth's most economically disadvantaged counties. Population loss and limited job growth have constrained household earnings here.

Economic stress shared across rural South Hampton Roads

Brunswick ($52,978) earns more than Bristol city ($44,706) but significantly less than Southwest Virginia counties like Bland ($61,375). This suggests that Brunswick faces region-specific economic headwinds separate from mountain communities.

Housing burden limits savings potential

Brunswick's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% is elevated, claiming nearly a fifth of median income for housing alone. With a median home value of just $132,700, even this low property cost strains household budgets and reduces capacity for long-term wealth building.

Start with emergency savings and local resources

Brunswick residents facing income constraints should focus on immediate financial stability before long-term investing. Build a small emergency fund first, then explore free tax filing services, employer retirement matching, and community development programs to anchor financial progress.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Brunswick County

via HealthByCounty

Brunswick County in serious health crisis

At 72.7 years, Brunswick County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 3.7 years, and nearly 1 in 4 residents (23.8%) report poor or fair health—far above the national 18%. These figures point to a population facing severe, sustained health challenges.

Among Virginia's worst health performers

Brunswick County's 72.7-year life expectancy falls 2.4 years below Virginia's 75.1-year average, ranking it among the state's lowest-performing regions. The 23.8% poor/fair health rate is nearly double some peer counties, indicating concentrated health burdens.

Scarce primary care in struggling community

Brunswick County's 25 primary care providers per 100,000 is among the lowest in its peer group, while 89 mental health providers per 100,000 suggests over-reliance on crisis services. This imbalance—too few primary care physicians, more mental health crisis capacity—reflects reactive rather than preventive healthcare.

High uninsured rates, low provider access

At 9.4%, Brunswick County's uninsured rate exceeds Virginia's 7.9% average, and the sparse primary care network (25 per 100,000) means many residents struggle to find routine medical care. This combination—gaps in coverage plus scarce providers—creates a perfect storm for delayed diagnoses and preventable health crises.

Secure coverage and seek primary care

If you're uninsured in Brunswick County, reaching healthcare.gov and enrolling in a plan is urgent. Prioritize plans with robust primary care access—preventive medicine and early intervention are essential to reversing Brunswick's health decline.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brunswick County

via RiskByCounty

Brunswick faces moderate, manageable disaster risk

Brunswick County's composite risk score of 28.12 sits just below the national average, earning a 'Very Low' rating despite moderate exposure to specific hazards. The county's inland southern location protects it from the worst hurricane impacts while presenting modest flood (28.79) and tornado (23.03) exposure. Overall risk remains well-controlled and manageable.

Near Virginia's average but slightly safer

Brunswick's score of 28.12 is marginally below Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it in the state's safer half but not among the lowest-risk counties. This positioning reflects balanced, moderate exposure across most hazard categories. Brunswick represents a typical or slightly above-average Virginia safety profile.

Brunswick enjoys regional low-risk advantage

Bath County (5.38), Bland County (13.04), and Botetourt County (18.10) rank substantially safer, while Augusta County (68.61) and Bedford County (51.18) present significantly higher exposure. Brunswick's score places it in the comfortable middle of Virginia's regional risk spectrum. You're positioned better than many state neighbors, though not in the safest tier.

Hurricane exposure stands above other threats

Brunswick's highest risk category—hurricane at 79.89—reflects the county's southeastern position and vulnerability to tropical remnants, despite being inland. Flood (28.79) and tornado (23.03) risks remain moderate, while earthquake (44.12) and wildfire (21.50) exposure stay reasonable. Hurricane preparedness deserves priority attention here.

Consider wind and flood protection thoughtfully

Given your 79.89 hurricane risk score, ensure your homeowners policy includes adequate wind coverage and review deductible amounts before storm season. Flood insurance merits consideration if you're in a mapped floodplain or near drainage areas prone to tropical system rainfall. Work with a local agent to align coverage with Brunswick's specific threat profile.

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.