Carroll delivers strong livability above national norms
Carroll County's composite score of 78.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 58%, placing it among America's most livable counties. The county's exceptional affordability and tax environment drive this top-tier national performance.
2 / 5
Second-best performer in this Virginia group
Carroll County posts a composite score of 78.8, trailing only Campbell County (77.2) and significantly outpacing Virginia's state average of 70.3. The county ranks as a standout performer on livability across the Commonwealth.
3 / 5
Exceptional affordability defines the county
Carroll's cost score of 89.0 is the highest in this cohort, with median rent of just $687 and median home values of $144,200. The tax score of 85.5 at an effective rate of 0.597% adds to the financial advantage.
4 / 5
Limited income opportunities constrain growth
The income score of 17.7 reflects a median household income of $52,575, the second-lowest in this group. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remain unavailable, limiting insight into quality-of-life factors beyond economics.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-minimizers prioritizing affordability
Carroll County suits retirees, remote workers, and households seeking maximum financial stretch through ultra-low housing costs and favorable taxes. The county's exceptional affordability makes it compelling for those comfortable with modest incomes and rural living, though families should research schools thoroughly.
Carroll delivers strong livability above national norms
Carroll County's composite score of 78.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 58%, placing it among America's most livable counties. The county's exceptional affordability and tax environment drive this top-tier national performance.
Second-best performer in this Virginia group
Carroll County posts a composite score of 78.8, trailing only Campbell County (77.2) and significantly outpacing Virginia's state average of 70.3. The county ranks as a standout performer on livability across the Commonwealth.
Exceptional affordability defines the county
Carroll's cost score of 89.0 is the highest in this cohort, with median rent of just $687 and median home values of $144,200. The tax score of 85.5 at an effective rate of 0.597% adds to the financial advantage.
Limited income opportunities constrain growth
The income score of 17.7 reflects a median household income of $52,575, the second-lowest in this group. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remain unavailable, limiting insight into quality-of-life factors beyond economics.
Ideal for cost-minimizers prioritizing affordability
Carroll County suits retirees, remote workers, and households seeking maximum financial stretch through ultra-low housing costs and favorable taxes. The county's exceptional affordability makes it compelling for those comfortable with modest incomes and rural living, though families should research schools thoroughly.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛85.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.597%, Carroll County's effective tax rate is lower than the national median of 0.83%. The median property tax of $861 is roughly 68% lower than the national median of $2,690.
Moderate taxes for Virginia standards
Carroll County's 0.597% rate is slightly lower than Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Virginia counties. Homeowners pay modestly less than the typical state average.
Competitive with nearby rural counties
Carroll's $861 median tax is among the lowest in the profiled region, rivaling Charlotte County ($739) and Campbell County ($913). The county offers affordable property taxes on lower-valued homes.
What your taxes look like here
On Carroll's median home value of $144,200, you'd pay approximately $861 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $979, while those owning outright pay around $804.
Small assessments still deserve scrutiny
Even on modest home values, Carroll County homeowners should verify their assessments match market reality. Filing an appeal can help ensure you're not paying taxes on an inflated property value.
Carroll County's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's lowest, powered by $687 monthly rents and $470 owner costs. At these prices, even households earning below the national median find housing highly affordable.
Virginia's most affordable rental market
Carroll County claims Virginia's lowest median rent at $687 monthly—40% below the state median of $1,140—while maintaining a 15.7% rent-to-income ratio better than the state average. The county stands alone as Virginia's housing bargain.
Half the rent of most neighbors
Carroll's $687 rent costs 21% less than Charlotte ($682) and dramatically undercuts Buckingham ($874), Campbell ($853), and Buena Vista ($1,067). Only Charlotte approaches Carroll's ultra-low pricing in the region.
Housing expenses shrink to bare minimum
Carroll County renters allocate just 15.7% of their $52,575 income to $687 monthly rent, while owner-occupants spend 10.7% on $470 mortgage payments. Few American counties offer such low absolute costs and low affordability burdens combined.
Carroll County is the ultimate budget choice
If minimizing housing costs is your priority, Carroll County delivers unmatched affordability with $144,200 median homes and $687 rents available nowhere else in Virginia. Compare its ultra-low prices to Charlotte County's similar but slightly higher costs.
Carroll County significantly below national income
Carroll County's median household income of $52,575 falls 30% short of the national median of $74,755. The county ranks among the lowest-income communities in America, reflecting limited job diversity and rural economic constraints.
Among Virginia's lowest earners
Carroll County's $52,575 median is more than $22,000 below Virginia's average of $74,957, placing it among the state's most economically challenged regions. The per capita income of $29,946 trails Virginia's $39,155 by 23%.
Second-lowest in southwest Virginia cluster
Carroll County's $52,575 median exceeds only Charlotte County ($48,892) in its region. Buckingham County ($59,199) earns notably more, highlighting economic disparities across southwest Virginia.
Affordable housing provides stability
Carroll County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% is among the lowest in Virginia, reflecting affordable rental and homeownership costs. The median home value of $144,200 is highly accessible, allowing households to build equity despite modest incomes.
Start small, think long-term
Low housing costs offer Carroll County households a foundation for financial stability; use this advantage to build savings gradually. Explore free or low-cost financial literacy resources, take advantage of any employer retirement benefits, and consider asset-building programs designed for lower-income communities.
At 74.5 years, Carroll residents live about 4.8 years below the U.S. average of 79.3 years, reflecting significant health challenges in the county. Nearly 1 in 5 residents report poor or fair health, placing Carroll's wellness burden above many national comparisons.
Below Virginia's average health outcomes
Carroll's 74.5-year life expectancy falls below Virginia's 75.1-year average, positioning the county in the lower half of state health rankings. Its 20.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state benchmark, indicating concentrated health disparities in the community.
Mixed performance against nearby counties
Carroll County's 74.5-year life expectancy trails Campbell (76.5 years) by 2 years but slightly exceeds Buckingham (74.8 years). However, its 9.9% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.9%, leaving roughly 1 in 10 residents without coverage.
Exceptional primary care capacity stands out
Carroll County's 93 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding state and national averages—ensures robust preventive care access. Mental health support is also solid at 58 providers per 100,000, offering reasonably comprehensive behavioral health services despite overall health disparities.
Use strong care network with insurance
Carroll's abundant primary care providers are most valuable when residents have insurance to access them. Check your coverage today at healthcare.gov, and if uninsured, explore Virginia's options to connect with Carroll's strong healthcare infrastructure.
Carroll County's composite risk score of 45.13 and Relatively Low rating indicate above-average natural disaster exposure compared to U.S. counties. The county's elevated wildfire and flood risks distinguish it as more hazard-prone than many American communities.
Higher risk than most Virginia counties
Carroll County's composite score of 45.13 substantially exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the commonwealth's higher-risk jurisdictions. The county's wildfire exposure at 55.88 ranks among the highest in Virginia, reflecting its mountain terrain and forestry.
Riskiest among nearby western counties
Carroll County's score of 45.13 significantly exceeds neighboring Buckingham County (18.96), Charlotte County (17.37), and Charles City County (9.32). Its 55.88 wildfire risk notably surpasses all regional peers, reflecting the county's higher elevation and forest coverage.
Wildfire dominates Carroll's hazard profile
Carroll County faces exceptional wildfire risk at 55.88, substantially above state and national averages, alongside notable flood exposure at 42.65. Hurricane (61.28) and earthquake (47.49) risks complement the county's concentrated wildfire vulnerability in a relatively rare high-risk profile for Virginia.
Wildfire preparation is critical priority
Residents should create and maintain defensible space around homes—clearing dead vegetation, trimming overhanging branches, and using fire-resistant landscaping materials. Supplement standard homeowners insurance with flood coverage for stream-adjacent properties, and develop a family evacuation plan given the county's elevated wildfire risk at 55.88.