countyscore
50.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 80.3Property Tax 75.8

County Report Card

About Cumberland County, Virginia

Outperforming the national average

Cumberland County earns a composite score of 51.6, placing it slightly above the national median of 50.0. This score is driven by high marks in public services and environmental safety.

High-value living in rural Virginia

Cumberland exceeds the Virginia state average of 50.9, offering a high quality of life for its residents. It provides a unique mix of high-performing schools and reliable infrastructure for a rural locale.

Top-tier schools and utilities

The county shines with a School Score of 75.0 and a Water Score of 86.0, reflecting excellent local services. It is also very resilient, with a Risk Score of 80.3 and a solid Health Score of 61.9.

Safety gaps and lower incomes

Community safety is a primary concern, as shown by a low Safety Score of 7.7. Additionally, an Income Score of 30.6 suggests that career opportunities are more limited than in state urban centers.

The rural family's service-rich choice

Cumberland is ideal for families who prioritize quality education and reliable utilities in a quiet setting. It offers excellent local services for those who do not require a high-growth urban job market.

2040608010075.842.87.761.97521.980.38655.2Tax75.8Cost42.8Safety7.7Health61.9Schools75Income21.9Risk80.3Water86Weather55.250.5/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Cumberland County DNA

Foverall

How Cumberland County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Cumberland County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (80.3/100) but notably weak in Safety (7.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
75.8+23.799999999999997
Cost
42.8
Safety
7.7-47.3
Health
61.9+11.899999999999999
Schools
75+21
Income
21.9-29.1
Risk
80.3+33.3
Water
86+28
Weather
55.2
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Compare mortgage rates in Cumberland County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$239,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$877/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$239,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $55,325/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

51.3

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Cumberland County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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.

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.

Safety in Cumberland County

via CrimeByCounty

Cumberland Faces Safety Challenges

Cumberland County has a safety score of 95.2, which is lower than many of its neighbors. Its total crime rate of 3,011.2 per 100,000 residents exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. These numbers indicate a higher-than-average volume of reported incidents.

Below the Virginia Safety Average

The county's safety score of 95.2 trails the Virginia state average of 97.3. With a crime rate of 3,011.2, it is nearly double the state average of 1,728.8 per 100,000 people. Three reporting agencies work to manage this above-average crime volume.

High Crime Relative to Neighbors

Cumberland County's crime rate of 3,011.2 is much higher than nearby Chesterfield's 1,661.4. While Chesterfield maintains a 97.4 safety score, Cumberland faces a more active crime landscape. This comparison highlights a significant regional difference in public safety.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

Violent crime in Cumberland is 443.4 per 100,000, which is higher than the national 369.8. Property crime is also elevated at 2,567.8 per 100,000 residents. These statistics suggest that both personal and property safety require extra attention.

Take Proactive Home Security Steps

With a crime rate above national and state averages, residents should invest in high-quality home security. Monitoring systems and community watch participation can help deter both property and violent crime. Increased awareness is essential for local families.

Soil Quality in Cumberland County

via SoilByCounty

Cumberland's Sandy Coastal Plain Influence

Cumberland’s pH of 5.66 is actually less acidic than the state average of 5.23, though it still falls below the national 6.5 median. The soil score of 29.0 is very close to the Virginia average, reflecting a stable agricultural base.

High Sand and Easy Workability

Composed of 61.6% sand and 23.9% silt, this soil is exceptionally easy to dig and cultivate. The 14.5% clay content is relatively low, which prevents the ground from becoming heavy or waterlogged after heavy rain.

Consistent Water for Sandy Earth

Available water capacity sits at 0.142 in/in, which matches the state average almost exactly. However, the organic matter is low at 1.43%, meaning the soil requires regular amendments to stay fertile for demanding crops.

Natural Drainage and Management

While specific hydrologic data is not provided, the high sand percentage suggests rapid infiltration and low runoff risk. This makes it a great candidate for low-impact development and gardening that requires well-aerated roots.

Starting Strong in Zone 7a

Cumberland’s 7a zone is perfect for starting a home orchard or a vegetable patch. Focus on adding leaf mold or compost to boost that organic matter and take advantage of the county's respectable water capacity.

Lawn Care in Cumberland County

via LawnByCounty

Average Growing Conditions in Cumberland

Cumberland County has a lawn difficulty score of 50.6, sitting right at the national average but slightly below the Virginia average of 55.4. In Hardiness Zone 7a, your lawn faces a standard set of Mid-Atlantic challenges. You can expect moderate success if you follow a consistent seasonal care routine.

High Heat and Typical Rainfall

Cumberland receives 45.3 inches of annual rainfall, nearly matching the state average of 46.0. However, the 43 extreme heat days each year put extra stress on turf compared to the state's average of 28. This combination requires a careful watering schedule to keep the grass from burning out during hot July and August afternoons.

Sandy Loam Needs pH Adjustment

The soil is quite sandy at 61.6%, which ensures good drainage but can lead to faster drying. While the pH of 5.66 is closer to the ideal 6.0-7.0 range than many neighbors, it still requires lime to reach its full potential. Regular applications of organic matter will help the sandy soil retain both moisture and nutrients.

Managing a Half-Year of Drought

With 26 weeks of drought over the past year, Cumberland lawns have faced significant water stress. Currently, 100% of the area is abnormally dry, requiring supplemental watering to prevent the grass from going dormant. Focusing on soil health will help your lawn's root system survive these frequent dry periods.

Prepare for a Successful Season

Tall fescue is the most reliable choice for Zone 7a, though warm-season grasses can also work given the high number of heat days. Since local frost dates are unavailable, aim to seed in the early fall when air temperatures begin to drop but the soil remains warm. With your average difficulty score, persistence and basic soil amendments are your best tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cumberland County's county score?
Cumberland County, Virginia has a composite county score of 50.5 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 Cumberland County rank among counties in Virginia?
Cumberland 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 Cumberland County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Cumberland County is $1,361, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Cumberland County a tax score of 75.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cumberland County?
The median household income in Cumberland County, Virginia is $55,325 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cumberland County earns an income score of 21.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cumberland County, Virginia a good place to live?
Cumberland County scores 50.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #80 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Cumberland 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 Cumberland 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.