CountyScore

Charles City County

Virginia · VA

#48 in Virginia
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Charles City County, Virginia

Charles City exceeds national livability baseline

Charles City County's composite score of 72.9 runs 46% above the national median of 50.0, indicating strong overall livability. The county balances tax efficiency with moderate incomes and reasonable housing costs.

Solid performer above Virginia's average

Charles City's score of 72.9 surpasses Virginia's state average of 70.3, positioning the county in the upper third of Virginia's livability rankings. The county performs competitively across tax, cost, and income dimensions.

Balanced taxes, costs, and moderate incomes

Charles City delivers a tax score of 85.3 at 0.604% effective rate, a cost score of 74.5, and a median household income of $70,339. Median rent averages $1,076 with home values at $224,100, supporting diverse household budgets.

Income growth trails wealthier Virginia peers

The income score of 29.3, while respectable, falls below Caroline and Charles City's more prosperous counterparts. Safety, health, school, and environmental data gaps prevent comprehensive quality-of-life assessment for prospective residents.

Great for middle-class families seeking stability

Charles City County appeals to working families and established professionals seeking reasonable housing costs, low taxes, and moderate incomes in a rural setting. The county offers solid fundamentals without extremes, making it suitable for those seeking Virginia stability with predictable finances.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.3Cost74.5SafetyComing SoonHealth65.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.3Risk90.7WaterComing Soon
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡90.7
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 Charles City County with another county →

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Benewah County
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White County
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72.5
Median income: $66,143
Kossuth County
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72.5
Median income: $65,656

Deep Dives

Charles City County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

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.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

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.

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.