countyscore
51.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 90.7Property Tax 77.7Income & Jobs 73.9

County Report Card

About Charles City County, Virginia

Perfectly Aligned with the National Median

Charles City County scores a 50.3, placing it right at the heart of the national median of 50.0. It offers a typical American rural experience with a balanced set of pros and cons.

Keeping Pace with the Virginia Average

The county's score of 50.3 is nearly identical to the Virginia state average of 50.9. It represents the middle ground of Virginia living, offering neither extreme wealth nor extreme hardship.

Low Environmental Risk and Steady Incomes

A risk score of 90.7 indicates the county is exceptionally safe from natural disasters. It also maintains a respectable income score of 67.4, with a median household income of $70,339.

High Housing Costs and Water Concerns

Water infrastructure scores poorly at 12.8, and the housing cost score of 29.4 indicates that rent and home values are high relative to local amenities. Safety data is currently unavailable, which adds an element of uncertainty.

Suited for Stability-Minded Households

This county is a great fit for people who value peace of mind regarding natural disasters and want a stable, middle-class income environment. It appeals to those looking for a predictable, low-risk rural setting.

2040608010077.731.142.751.173.990.712.861.7Tax77.7Cost31.1SafetyHealth42.7Schools51.1Income73.9Risk90.7Water12.8Weather61.751.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Charles City County DNA

Foverall

How Charles City County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Charles City County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (90.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (12.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
77.7+25.700000000000003
Cost
31.1-16.9
Health
42.7
Schools
51.1
Income
73.9+22.900000000000006
Risk
90.7+43.7
Water
12.8-45.2
Weather
61.7
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Charles City County

Whether buying or refinancing in Charles City County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$241,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,099/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$241,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $75,417/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Charles City County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Charles City County

via TaxByCounty

Charles City's taxes remain moderate

At 0.604%, Charles City County's effective tax rate is below the national median of 0.83%. The median property tax of $1,354 is roughly 50% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below Virginia's average rate

Charles City County's 0.604% rate is lower than Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Virginia counties. Residents pay less than typical Virginia homeowners.

Moderate taxes on moderate values

Charles City's $1,354 median tax reflects its $224,100 median home value, placing it in the middle of the profiled counties. The county's rate of 0.604% remains below state average despite these mid-range values.

What your taxes look like here

On Charles City's median home value of $224,100, you'd pay approximately $1,354 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,371, while those owning outright pay around $1,332.

Assessment appeals are your right

Charles City homeowners who believe their property is overvalued can appeal their assessment to potentially lower their tax bill. Virginia law provides this appeal process to ensure fair taxation across all properties.

Income & Jobs in Charles City County

via IncomeByCounty

Charles City near national income average

Charles City County's median household income of $70,339 is close to the national median of $74,755, trailing by just 6%. The county performs competitively with American communities nationwide, benefiting from proximity to Richmond's economy.

Below Virginia average but solid performer

Charles City County's $70,339 median falls about $4,600 short of Virginia's $74,957 average, placing it in Virginia's middle tier. The per capita income of $41,266 exceeds the state average of $39,155, indicating well-distributed earnings across households.

Strong income position in region

Charles City County's $70,339 median outpaces Buckingham ($59,199) and Campbell ($62,608) but trails Caroline County ($86,267). It ranks as a solid middle-income performer in central Virginia.

Balanced housing and income profile

Charles City County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% indicates manageable housing costs relative to income. The median home value of $224,100 is reasonable for households earning $70,339, supporting homeownership and wealth accumulation.

Build on solid income foundation

Charles City County's moderate income and affordable housing create opportunities for strategic wealth building. Focus on consistent savings, explore mortgage refinancing if rates drop, and consider investment vehicles like IRAs or index funds to grow long-term wealth.

Soil Quality in Charles City County

via SoilByCounty

Low pH in Charles City

The county's average pH of 5.11 is more acidic than the state average of 5.23. It sits well below the national median of 6.5, making it a naturally challenging environment for acid-sensitive turf and crops.

A silty, sandy blend

The soil contains 52.9% sand and 33.5% silt, creating a medium texture that is easy to manage. A modest clay content of 13.6% provides just enough structure to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly.

Solid organic foundation

Organic matter sits at 2.28%, exceeding the national 2.0% benchmark. This translates to an available water capacity of 0.138 in/in, which is slightly below the Virginia average but sufficient for most native plants.

Natural water movement

Specific drainage class data is not available for this county in the primary dataset. Given the sand and silt levels, the soil likely experiences moderate drainage speeds suitable for a variety of land uses.

Flourishing in Zone 7b

Hardiness Zone 7b offers a long, warm season for Charles City residents. This soil and climate combo is perfect for growing robust tomatoes and peppers—just remember to monitor your soil pH.

Lawn Care in Charles City County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Difficulty in Charles City

Charles City County scores 49.1 for lawn ease, sitting just below the national average of 50.0. Property owners face slightly more work than the average Virginian to keep their lawns thriving in Zone 7b.

Surviving Intense Summer Heat

Lawns here must survive a staggering 45 extreme heat days annually, far exceeding the state average of 28. High annual precipitation of 49.9 inches provides a necessary buffer against these scorching summer temperatures.

Balancing Sand and Acidity

The soil consists of 52.9% sand, which helps with drainage during heavy rains but can lead to nutrient leaching. With a pH of 5.11, your lawn is likely struggling with acidity and needs regular lime treatments to thrive.

High Rainfall, Low Drought Stress

With only 3 weeks in drought over the past year, Charles City is much wetter than its neighbors. Although 100.0% of the county is currently 'abnormally dry,' the high annual rainfall totals usually keep the grass green.

Heat-Tolerant Varieties are Best

Given the 45 days of intense heat, Bermuda or Zoysia grass are excellent choices for this 7b zone. These varieties thrive in the sun and can handle the high humidity and heavy rainfall typical of the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Charles City County's county score?
Charles City County, Virginia has a composite county score of 51.9 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 Charles City County rank among counties in Virginia?
Charles City County ranks #71 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 Charles City County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Charles City County is $1,343, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns Charles City County a tax score of 77.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Charles City County?
The median household income in Charles City County, Virginia is $75,417 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Charles City County earns an income score of 73.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Charles City County, Virginia a good place to live?
Charles City County scores 51.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #71 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Charles City 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 Charles City County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.