CountyScore

Cumberland County

Virginia · VA

#21 in Virginia
74.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Cumberland County, Virginia

Cumberland tops national average

Cumberland's 74.3 composite score substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 49%, placing it among America's most livable counties. Strong affordability and tax efficiency drive this excellent national standing.

Above Virginia's average performance

Cumberland's 74.3 score exceeds Virginia's state average of 70.3, positioning it among the commonwealth's stronger-performing communities. The county outperforms most Virginia peers on the composite livability index.

Excellent affordability and low taxes

Cumberland delivers outstanding value with a cost score of 80.2, median rent of just $847/month, and median home values of $220,100. The tax score of 84.4 and effective rate of 0.635% further sweeten the financial advantage.

Significant income constraints

The income score of 20.6 and median household income of $57,057 are the second-lowest in this group, limiting earning potential and purchasing power. Safety, health, and school data gaps prevent fuller livability assessment.

Ideal for value-seeking retirees

Cumberland suits retirees on fixed incomes and self-employed remote workers prioritizing affordability and tax savings over local earning opportunities. The county delivers strong national livability for those with independent income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.4Cost80.2SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.6Risk80.3WaterComing Soon
🏛84.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.3
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 Cumberland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Alabama
74.2
Median income: $50,733
Gem County
Idaho
74.2
Median income: $66,245
Fulton County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,878
Pike County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $66,250
Starke County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,933

Deep Dives

Cumberland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cumberland County

via TaxByCounty

Cumberland balances moderate rates, values

Cumberland County's effective tax rate of 0.635% sits modestly above the national median of 0.72%, maintaining a reasonable burden across its tax base. The median property tax of $1,398 trails the national median of $2,690 by roughly half, reflecting Cumberland's rural character and lower median home values at $220,100.

Middle-of-the-road Virginia burden

Cumberland County's 0.635% effective rate falls near Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's tax spectrum. The median tax bill of $1,398 sits below the state median of $1,960, benefiting rural and moderate-income households.

Lower taxes than suburban peers

Cumberland's $1,398 median property tax significantly undercuts Chesterfield County's $2,636 and Culpeper County's $2,119, reflecting its more rural, less developed character. The 0.635% rate provides a middle ground in the greater Richmond region.

Moderate tax burden for rural living

A Cumberland County homeowner with the median-valued property of $220,100 pays approximately $1,398 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders typically pay $1,346, while owners without mortgages pay $1,486, a relatively small difference.

Verify your county assessment

Even rural homeowners with modest tax bills should verify their property valuations—errors can accumulate across decades of ownership. Cumberland's straightforward appeal process offers a free way to ensure you're not overpaying on already-modest assessments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cumberland County

via CostByCounty

Cumberland offers genuine affordability for modest incomes

At 17.8%, Cumberland's rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national affordability standard of 18.6%, delivering modest but healthy income reserves for working-class families. The median household income of $57,057 is 24% below the national average, yet the $847 monthly rent creates proportional affordability for rural Virginia.

Cumberland edges above Virginia's affordability threshold

At 17.8%, Cumberland's rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6%, though the county's $847 median rent significantly undercuts the state median of $1,140. For working-class renters, Cumberland delivers below-average absolute rents that offset modest household incomes.

Cumberland balances affordability between rural extremes

Cumberland's $847 rent sits between the extremely affordable Craig ($728) and the more costly Culpeper ($1,417), positioning it as a middle-ground rural option. Compared to more distressed Covington ($822, but with worse income ratios), Cumberland offers more economic stability.

Owners and renters enjoy similar affordability paths

Renters pay $847 monthly while homeowners carry $850 in costs—virtually identical, reflecting Cumberland's balanced residential market. At 17.8% of a typical $4,755 monthly household income, housing consumes roughly $848, leaving approximately $3,900 for food, utilities, transportation, and limited savings—tight but functional.

Cumberland suits working-class families seeking stability

If you're relocating with household income in the $57K range and prioritize maximum housing affordability in a stable rural setting, Cumberland delivers genuine value. This county works best for families with stable employment or those retiring on modest fixed incomes seeking low housing burdens.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cumberland County

via IncomeByCounty

Cumberland falls short of national earnings

Cumberland County's median household income of $57,057 trails the national median of $74,755 by 24%, a $17,698 shortfall indicating below-average economic performance. The county's rural economy generates incomes well below U.S. benchmarks.

Among Virginia's lowest earners

Cumberland County's $57,057 median household income ranks near the bottom in Virginia, falling $17,900 below the state average of $74,957. Only a handful of Virginia jurisdictions earn less.

Struggles compared to regional peers

Cumberland's $57,057 median income trails Craig ($67,778), Culpeper ($96,098), Chesterfield ($98,910), and Chesapeake ($94,189), though it exceeds Covington ($42,724). Median home values of $220,100 remain modest and affordable.

Housing costs strain limited budgets

Cumberland's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% approaches the upper limit of affordability for lower-income households, consuming significant household resources. Median home values of $220,100 strain the typical household budget relative to earnings.

Build wealth despite economic constraints

Cumberland's per capita income of $36,142 leaves limited room for savings, requiring households to prioritize carefully. Focus on accessible retirement programs, emergency fund building, and incremental income growth through career advancement or additional employment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cumberland County

via HealthByCounty

Cumberland's health above state average

At 76.6 years, Cumberland County residents live 1.5 years above Virginia's state average, reflecting solid health outcomes in this rural community. The county's 18.4% poor or fair health rate sits slightly above state norms, suggesting some health challenges despite reasonable life expectancy.

Cumberland outperforms Virginia baseline

Cumberland County's 76.6-year life expectancy exceeds Virginia's 75.1-year average, and at 7.6% uninsured, the county's coverage rate beats the state average of 7.9%. These metrics suggest relatively good health protection, though the 18.4% poor health rate hints at underlying chronic disease or socioeconomic health barriers.

Solid health outcomes in rural tier

Cumberland's 76.6-year life expectancy ranks above Craig County (73.8 years) and approaches Culpeper County (77.0 years), placing it in the region's healthier rural communities. Yet with only 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Cumberland faces rural access challenges common to less-densely populated areas.

Good coverage, limited primary care access

Cumberland's 7.6% uninsured rate is below the state average, ensuring most residents have health coverage, but the county's 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent a significant rural shortage. With only 71 mental health providers per 100,000, residents seeking behavioral health care may face long waits or travel.

Maintain coverage in rural Cumberland

At 7.6% uninsured, Cumberland County has lower coverage gaps than state average, but residents should confirm their health insurance is current. Visit healthcare.gov during open enrollment to review plan options and ensure your family stays protected, especially given rural care access constraints.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cumberland County

via RiskByCounty

Cumberland ranks below national average risk

With a composite risk score of 19.72, Cumberland County is very low risk and well below the national average. The county's inland piedmont location protects it from major coastal and seismic hazards.

Below-average risk for Virginia communities

Cumberland's score of 19.72 falls well below Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it among the state's safer jurisdictions. The county's rural character and distance from coastal areas contribute to this favorable profile.

Safer than Culpeper, comparable to western areas

Cumberland's 19.72 score is significantly lower than Culpeper County (46.25) but slightly higher than Craig County (6.23) and Clarke County (6.93). The county sits in the lower range of Virginia's risk distribution.

Hurricane and earthquake present modest risks

Cumberland's highest risks are hurricane (72.88) and earthquake (60.53), both elevated compared to flood (16.51) and tornado (17.56) risks. The county's relative safety reflects its inland distance from coastal hazards.

Standard homeowners coverage generally adequate

Cumberland residents can typically rely on basic homeowners insurance, though those near waterways should evaluate flood coverage options. Periodic home maintenance and emergency preparedness provide solid protection.

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.