50.3
County Score
Disaster Risk 90.7Property Tax 73.9Income & Jobs 67.4

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.

Score breakdown

Tax73.9Cost29.4SafetyComing SoonHealth42.7Schools51.1Income67.4Risk90.7Water12.8Weather61.7
🏛73.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠29.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼67.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
42.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓51.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
90.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧12.8
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤61.7
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨25.3
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱49.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty
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Deep Dives

Charles City County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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.

Cost of Living in Charles City County

via CostByCounty

Charles City stays slightly below state average

Charles City County's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Virginia's state average of 18.6%, supported by median household income of $70,339 and rents of $1,076. The county offers near-average affordability for Virginia residents earning moderately above national medians.

Middle ground in Virginia's affordability rankings

Charles City ranks near the middle of Virginia's affordability spectrum, with costs and incomes both slightly above state averages. The county's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio places it just below the state median, making it reliable but unremarkable.

Bridges affordable and expensive county markets

Charles City's $1,076 rent falls between affordable Campbell ($853) and expensive Buena Vista ($1,067), while owner costs of $943 split differences with neighboring counties. The county occupies a true middle position geographically and economically.

Housing remains near-average share of budget

Charles City residents earning $70,339 spend 18.4% on rent ($1,076) or 16.1% on owner costs ($943), consuming a slightly smaller share of income through ownership. Both pathways remain manageable for households at this income level.

Charles City offers steady, unremarkable value

Choose Charles City County if you seek Virginia housing near state averages without seeking bargains or premium amenities, with median values of $224,100. Compare to cheaper Campbell County or more expensive nearby areas to confirm fit.

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.

Health in Charles City County

via HealthByCounty

Charles City life expectancy near national average

Charles City residents live to 75.9 years on average, about 3.4 years below the U.S. average of 79.3 years. More than 1 in 5 report poor or fair health, placing the county's health burden slightly above the national median.

Slightly above Virginia's health average

Charles City's 75.9-year life expectancy edges above Virginia's 75.1-year average, placing it in the state's healthier tier. However, its 21.1% poor/fair health rate suggests underlying wellness challenges despite this modest life expectancy advantage.

Health profile mixed versus nearby areas

Charles City's 75.9-year life expectancy surpasses Buckingham (74.8 years) and Caroline (74.9 years) but trails Campbell (76.5 years). Its 11.4% uninsured rate is the highest among nearby counties and well above the state average of 7.9%, signaling healthcare access barriers.

Moderate care capacity strained by uninsurance

Charles City provides 15 primary care providers and 45 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—reasonable numbers for basic care. Yet the county's 11.4% uninsured rate—the highest in this cluster—limits many residents' ability to access these available services.

Close coverage gaps to unlock healthcare

With 1 in 9 Charles City residents uninsured, accessing coverage through healthcare.gov or Virginia Medicaid could be transformational. A local health navigator can help you understand eligibility and enroll in a plan that fits your family's situation.

Schools in Charles City County

via SchoolsByCounty

Intimate Education in Charles City County

Charles City County operates an streamlined education system with just 2 public schools serving 562 total students. The infrastructure consists of one elementary school for grades PK-6 and one high school for grades 7-12. This simple structure is managed by a single local school district.

High Investment for Every Student

The county invests heavily in its students, spending $9,391 per pupil, which is well above the Virginia state average of $7,941. Despite this funding, the graduation rate currently sits at 84.0%, below the state average of 89.0%. However, the county maintains a solid school score of 55.5, outperforming the state average for quality.

A Dedicated Single-District System

Charles City County Public Schools is the sole provider, overseeing both campuses and all 562 students. There are no charter schools in the county, ensuring that all local educational resources remain focused on the two primary facilities. This allows for a very high teacher-to-student focus given the small district size.

The Essence of Rural Schooling

Both schools in the county are situated in rural locales, providing a quiet and focused learning environment. Charles City County Elementary is the larger of the two with 315 students, while the High School serves 247 students. The average school size of 281 ensures that every student receives significant individual attention.

Quiet Living with Attentive Schools

For families who prefer a tiny, attentive school system where no child is anonymous, Charles City County is a unique find. High per-pupil spending reflects a community that values its educational infrastructure. Search for homes in this peaceful, rural county to enjoy a slower pace of life with strong local support.

Disaster Risk in Charles City County

via RiskByCounty

Charles City ranks among nation's safest

Charles City County's composite risk score of 9.32 and Very Low rating place it well below national averages for natural disaster exposure. The county's diverse geographic position delivers notably low risk across most hazard categories, making it one of America's more protected jurisdictions.

Well below Virginia's risk average

Charles City County's composite score of 9.32 stands far below Virginia's state average of 33.27, establishing it among the commonwealth's safest communities. The county benefits from both geography and climate patterns that minimize exposure across most disaster types.

Safest of surrounding Virginia counties

Charles City County's risk score of 9.32 ranks as the lowest among nearby jurisdictions including Buckingham County (18.96), Caroline County (20.71), and Charlotte County (17.37). Its minimal wildfire risk at 21.56 and tornado exposure at 17.53 underscore its exceptional safety profile.

Flooding represents primary hazard concern

Charles City County's highest risk emerges through flooding at 45.20, reflecting its location in the Piedmont region with river proximity. Hurricane exposure at 66.62 and earthquake risk at 36.99 round out moderate concerns, while wildfire (21.56) and tornado (17.53) risks remain minimal.

Flood insurance key to home protection

Homeowners near waterways should obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, as the county's 45.20 flood score reflects genuine river and stream exposure. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers other hazards adequately in this low-risk county, though annual policy reviews ensure appropriate coverage limits.

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 50.3 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 #80 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 $1,354, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Charles City County a tax score of 73.9/100 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 $70,339 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Charles City County earns an income score of 67.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Charles City County, Virginia a good place to live?
Charles City County scores 50.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #80 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.