CountyScore

Buchanan County

Virginia · VA

#60 in Virginia
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Buchanan County, Virginia

Buchanan's 79.9 score crushes national median

Buchanan County's composite score of 79.9 soars 60% above the national median of 50.0, ranking among America's most affordable counties. This exceptional rating reflects extraordinary value in housing and tax efficiency.

Virginia's second-most livable county

Buchanan's 79.9 score ranks second only to Bland among Virginia's livability leaders, vastly outpacing the state average of 70.3. The county represents rare rural excellence in livability metrics.

Unmatched affordability, rock-bottom taxes

Buchanan boasts a cost score of 89.7 with median home values of just $91,400 and rent at $712/month—the absolute lowest in this group. A tax score of 89.8 with an effective rate of 0.442% delivers minimal tax burden.

Severely limited income and opportunity

Buchanan's income score of 11.0 with median household income of $42,216 is the lowest among all eight counties, reflecting severe job scarcity and wage depression. Critical data on schools, health, safety, and environment are unavailable.

Extreme bargain for fixed-income residents

Buchanan County is designed for retirees or those with remote income seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in Virginia. It offers unbeatable housing prices and taxes but virtually no local job market—practicality over opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.8Cost89.7SafetyComing SoonHealth56.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome11Risk49.4WaterComing Soon
🏛89.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡49.4
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 Buchanan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bullock County
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71.5
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Bradley County
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71.5
Median income: $39,565
Franklin County
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71.5
Median income: $51,919
Fulton County
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Median income: $38,941

Deep Dives

Buchanan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Buchanan County

via TaxByCounty

Buchanan offers exceptional tax relief

At 0.442%, Buchanan's effective tax rate is less than half the national median of 0.96%, placing it in the bottom 10% nationally. The median property tax of just $404 is the lowest among all counties analyzed and 85% below the national median of $2,690.

Buchanan among Virginia's lowest

Buchanan's 0.442% rate ranks among the lowest in Virginia, well below the state average of 0.671%. At $404 annually, the median property tax is less than 21% of the state median of $1,960.

Lowest absolute tax burden in region

Buchanan's 0.442% rate is second-lowest only to Bath (0.405%) in the eight-county region, while the median tax of $404 is by far the lowest. On a median home value of $91,400, Buchanan delivers the most affordable property taxes in the comparison.

What homeowners pay annually

On Buchanan's median home value of $91,400, the typical annual property tax bill is $404. Homeowners with mortgages pay $611, while those owning outright pay $383.

Safeguard your tax advantage

Even with the region's lowest rates, Buchanan homeowners should periodically verify their assessments haven't drifted above market value. A reassessment request could further reduce your already-minimal tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Buchanan County

via CostByCounty

Buchanan faces the steepest odds

Buchanan County's median income of just $42,216—44% below the national average—combines with a 20.2% rent-to-income ratio that strains household budgets. Though rents are the lowest in the state at $712, the minimal local wages mean renters are allocating a concerning share of earnings to housing.

Virginia's lowest income, steep rent burden

Buchanan's 20.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Virginia's worst, topped only by Bristol (20.8%), and the median income of $42,216 is the state's lowest in this analysis. Despite the cheapest rents in Virginia ($712), the wage-to-cost relationship reflects genuine economic hardship.

Cheapest rents, but weakest income

Buchanan's $712 rent is the lowest regional option, beating Bland ($683) only narrowly—wait, Bland is actually lower. Buchanan's real challenge is income: at $42,216, it's the second-lowest after Bristol, making the rent-to-income ratio less favorable than dirt-cheap Bland County despite similarly rock-bottom rents.

Lowest costs but tightest margins

Renters pay just $712 monthly (20.2% of income) while homeowners spend $392 (11.1% of income), the lowest absolute costs in the dataset. Yet the income disparity means renters here are proportionally more burdened than in wealthier counties, leaving little cushion for food, healthcare, or emergencies.

Buchanan: lowest costs, highest risk

Buchanan County's $712 rent and $91,400 median home value are unbeatable on paper, but the $42,216 median income signals serious economic constraints in the region. Relocate here only if you have employment or income significantly above the local median—otherwise, rock-bottom housing costs won't offset wage hardship.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Buchanan County

via IncomeByCounty

Buchanan faces the steepest income shortfall

Buchanan County's median household income of $42,216 falls roughly $32,500 below the national median of $74,755, representing the most severe income gap among all eight counties. This reflects deep structural economic challenges in this Southwest Virginia coal-region community.

Virginia's lowest-income county studied

At $42,216, Buchanan's median household income runs about $32,700 short of Virginia's state average of $74,957. Buchanan represents the economic extremity of the state's rural Appalachian crisis.

Poorest performer in the region

Buchanan ($42,216) earns significantly less than Bristol city ($44,706), Brunswick ($52,978), and all other studied Virginia communities. The county's isolation and dependence on declining coal industry set it apart economically from surrounding areas.

Housing remains the only affordable anchor

Buchanan's rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% is high but manageable, and a median home value of just $91,400 is the lowest in the group. Housing affordability is not the primary issue; rather, the shortage of jobs paying livable wages is the core challenge.

Focus on stability and community support

Buchanan residents face extraordinary economic headwinds that require leveraging every available resource. Prioritize free financial counseling, workforce development programs, and community action agencies; even modest savings goals contribute to family resilience in economically uncertain times.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Buchanan County

via HealthByCounty

Buchanan faces the state's deepest health crisis

Buchanan County's life expectancy of 69.4 years is the lowest in Virginia and trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 7.0 years—a devastating gap. Over 1 in 4 residents (26.5%) report poor or fair health, signaling widespread chronic disease and premature mortality.

Virginia's lowest life expectancy by far

At 69.4 years, Buchanan County's life expectancy is 5.7 years below Virginia's 75.1-year average—the widest gap among any Virginia county. This reflects a population in acute health crisis, with limited resources and deep structural barriers to wellness.

Worst health outcomes in Appalachian region

Buchanan County's 69.4-year life expectancy is the lowest among all neighboring mountain counties, including Bristol city (71.7 years). With only 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—critically low—and 52 mental health providers per 100,000, the county faces a severe healthcare infrastructure deficit.

Highest uninsured rate, fewest primary care doctors

Buchanan County's 9.9% uninsured rate is the highest among peer counties, and the shortage of primary care physicians (25 per 100,000)—half the state average—means uninsured residents have nowhere to turn for basic care. This dual crisis of coverage gaps and provider scarcity drives preventable deaths and suffering.

Get covered now—your life depends on it

If you're uninsured in Buchanan County, reaching healthcare.gov and enrolling is not optional—it's lifesaving. Medicaid expansion eligibility and marketplace plans can connect you to primary care, mental health support, and chronic disease management that the community desperately needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Buchanan County

via RiskByCounty

Buchanan faces above-average disaster risk

Buchanan County's composite risk score of 50.60 places it above the national average, earning a 'Relatively Low' rating that masks significant hazard concentration. The county experiences notably elevated flood (70.20) and wildfire (72.04) exposure due to mountainous terrain and water features. Understanding these localized threats is essential for residents.

Riskier than most Virginia counties

Buchanan's score of 50.60 substantially exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it solidly in the state's higher-risk tier. Only counties like Augusta (68.61) and Bedford (51.18) approach Buchanan's exposure level. This elevated standing reflects the county's mountain geography and water system vulnerability.

Buchanan matches Bedford's moderate-high risk

Bedford County (51.18) shares nearly identical composite risk to Buchanan, while Bath County (5.38) and Bland County (13.04) represent a vastly safer universe. Augusta County (68.61) to the east runs notably higher. Buchanan sits in a moderate-risk corridor with significant water and wildfire exposure compared to its mountain peers.

Wildfire and flood dominate your hazard profile

Wildfire risk (72.04) and flood risk (70.20) are nearly equivalent and substantially elevated, reflecting Buchanan's mountainous terrain and stream network. Earthquake (48.09) and hurricane (46.10) exposure remain moderate, while tornado risk (9.92) stays minimal. These two primary threats shape your emergency preparedness priorities.

Water and wildfire coverage are priorities

Flood insurance deserves serious consideration given your 70.20 flood risk score, particularly if you're near streams, hollers, or historical flood zones. Review your homeowners policy for adequate coverage limits and ensure it addresses wildfire damage potential (72.04 risk). Work with a local insurance professional who understands Buchanan's specific mountain hazards.

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.