Covington city

Virginia · VA

#36 in Virginia
73.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Covington city, Virginia

Covington substantially beats national average

Covington's 73.9 composite score far exceeds the national median of 50.0, outpacing it by 48% and ranking among America's most livable communities. Exceptional housing affordability and competitive taxes drive this exceptional national standing.

Above Virginia's typical performance

Covington's 73.9 score exceeds Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it among the commonwealth's stronger-performing communities. The city punches above its weight compared to most Virginia peers on the composite index.

Outstanding housing affordability

Covington offers the lowest housing costs in this group with a cost score of 84.8, median rent of just $822/month, and median home values of only $80,200. This affordability, combined with a tax score of 80.2, makes Covington exceptionally accessible for renters and first-time buyers.

Very limited income opportunity

The income score of 11.3 and median household income of $42,724 are substantially lower than other counties, reflecting limited economic opportunity in the area. Safety, health, and school data gaps prevent fuller understanding of quality-of-life factors.

Ideal for retirees and minimalists

Covington suits retirees with fixed incomes, remote workers, and those seeking ultra-low housing costs and simple living far from high-wage job markets. The city delivers strong national livability for those who don't require high local earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.2Cost84.8SafetyComing SoonHealth65.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.3Risk90.4WaterComing Soon
🏛80.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠84.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼11.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
90.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Covington city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Covington city

via TaxByCounty

Covington combines low rates, low values

Covington's effective tax rate of 0.784% sits above the national median of 0.72%, yet the city's modest median property tax of just $629 reflects its low median home value of $80,200—less than 30% of the national median. Covington serves as a small industrial city in rural southwest Virginia with limited residential wealth.

Moderate rate, minimal absolute burden

Covington's 0.784% effective rate slightly exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671%, but the median tax bill of only $629 ranks among the state's lowest. The city's economic profile—smaller homes and lower valuations—keeps absolute tax payments minimal despite the percentage rate.

Poorest neighbor to Craig County

Covington's median property tax of $629 is actually lower than Craig County's $958, despite Covington's higher effective rate, because Covington homes are worth far less. Both represent economically modest communities in the Allegheny region, with Covington serving more industrial purposes.

Lowest tax bills in Virginia

A typical Covington homeowner with the median-valued property of $80,200 pays roughly $629 in annual property taxes. The remarkably low bill reflects the city's modest property values and population base.

Small properties deserve review too

Even homeowners with modest properties benefit from ensuring accurate assessments—overvaluations hit harder when income is limited. A free reassessment appeal could preserve hundreds of dollars across years of payments.

Cost of Living in Covington city

via CostByCounty

Covington struggles with affordability despite cheap rents

At 23.1%, Covington's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national affordability standard of 18.6%, meaning residents here spend an outsized portion of limited income on housing. The city's median household income of only $42,724—43% below the national average—makes the $822 monthly rent a genuine burden despite its low dollar amount.

Covington ranks among Virginia's least affordable cities

At 23.1%, Covington's rent-to-income ratio substantially exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6%, placing it among the state's housing-cost-burdened communities. This reflects not expensive rents but critically low household incomes, making Covington a challenged housing market despite cheap absolute rental prices.

Covington offers cheapest rents but lowest incomes regionally

Covington's $822 monthly rent is the lowest in this Virginia comparison (vs. Craig at $728, but both rural and distressed), yet its $42,724 median income is also among the lowest. The city competes with the most rural, economically struggling areas of Virginia rather than established communities.

Low incomes make even modest rent a significant burden

At $822 monthly, Covington's rent is the lowest surveyed, yet it consumes 23.1% of a typical household's $3,560 monthly income—leaving less than $2,700 for food, utilities, transportation, and savings. Homeowners pay $582 monthly, offering a slightly better path to stability than renting.

Covington suits only those committed to rural revitalization

Covington's extreme affordability works only if you have income sources independent of the local job market or are committed to remote work with higher-wage employers. Relocators considering Covington should carefully research employment opportunities, as the city's low incomes reflect limited local economic opportunity despite genuinely cheap housing.

Income & Jobs in Covington city

via IncomeByCounty

Covington struggles with income gap

Covington's median household income of $42,724 falls 43% below the national median of $74,755, a gap of $32,031 that signals significant economic hardship. This extreme shortfall reflects Covington's struggles to generate family-sustaining wages.

Virginia's lowest-earning jurisdiction

Covington's $42,724 median household income ranks dead last in Virginia, trailing the state average of $74,957 by $32,233. The city faces the steepest income disadvantage of any Virginia locality.

Drastically below all comparable areas

Covington's $42,724 median income falls far short of Craig County ($67,778), Cumberland County ($57,057), and every other surrounding jurisdiction. Median home values of just $80,200 reflect a depressed real estate market.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Covington's rent-to-income ratio of 23.1% approaches the affordability danger zone, consuming nearly a quarter of median household income on housing alone. Even modest home prices of $80,200 strain the typical household budget.

Rebuild wealth through career development

Covington households face tight financial margins with per capita income of just $24,067, making wealth-building difficult but not impossible. Prioritize skills training, education, and job transitions that increase earning potential, while maximizing access to employer benefits and tax credits.

Health in Covington city

via HealthByCounty

Covington faces critical health crisis

At just 69.1 years, Covington residents face the lowest life expectancy among all eight counties—6.0 years below Virginia's state average and a stark gap from national trends. The city's 19.4% poor or fair health rate is the highest in this analysis, indicating severe and widespread health challenges.

Covington trails all Virginia benchmarks

Covington's 69.1-year life expectancy represents a profound health crisis, falling 6.0 years below Virginia's 75.1-year average and suggesting significant barriers to care and health equity. The city's 19.4% poor health rate—the worst in this group—signals endemic chronic disease, limited access to preventive services, or severe social determinants of health.

Worst health outcomes in the region

Covington's 69.1-year life expectancy is nearly 8 years below Chesapeake (76.9 years) and substantially lower than all peer communities, making it a critical health equity concern. Despite 343 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in the region—Covington's poor outcomes suggest structural barriers beyond provider supply.

Provider access paradox amid crisis

Covington offers 53 primary care providers and an exceptional 343 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, yet life expectancy remains critically low. This disconnect suggests that provider numbers alone cannot overcome poverty, untreated chronic disease, substance abuse, or other systemic barriers to health in Covington.

Urgent: Check coverage and local health services

With 6.9% uninsured and alarming health outcomes, Covington residents must prioritize health coverage and access to care. Visit healthcare.gov immediately or contact local health departments to enroll in Medicaid, explore community health programs, and connect with resources addressing underlying health determinants.

Disaster Risk in Covington city

via RiskByCounty

Covington ranks among nation's safest places

With a composite risk score of 9.67, Covington is very low risk and sits well below the national average. Its mountain location in western Virginia insulates it from most major hazard exposure.

Among Virginia's most protected communities

Covington's score of 9.67 ranks among the lowest in Virginia, dramatically below the state average of 33.27. The city benefits from geographic isolation and minimal exposure to coastal or seismic hazards.

Comparable to other western mountain areas

Covington's 9.67 score is similar to Craig County (6.23) and Clarke County (6.93) in Virginia's piedmont and mountain regions. All three reflect rural, inland vulnerability patterns.

Minimal hazard exposure across all categories

Covington's highest risk is hurricane at 43.93, followed by earthquake at 26.88—both well below state averages. Wildfire risk is negligible at 0.16, and tornado risk is minimal at 5.38.

Standard insurance provides ample protection

Covington residents can rely on basic homeowners coverage for their needs without specialized riders. Focus preparedness efforts on year-round home maintenance rather than specialized disaster insurance.

ByCounty Network

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