Danville city

Virginia · VA

#105 in Virginia
66.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Danville city, Virginia

Danville scores well above national median

Danville's composite score of 74.2 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 48% advantage reflects the city's strong performance in affordability and tax climate, making it an outlier in terms of cost of living.

Exceeds Virginia's average livability

Danville ranks above Virginia's state average composite score of 70.3, positioning it among the better-performing municipalities in the commonwealth. The city's 74.2 score reflects stronger-than-average tax and housing affordability compared to its peers statewide.

Built on affordability and low taxes

Danville excels in cost (83.1) and tax scores (83.3), with an effective tax rate of just 0.674% and median rent of $808/month. Median home values around $110,200 make homeownership accessible for first-time buyers and families seeking value.

Income levels trail state benchmarks

The income score of 11.3 reflects a median household income of $42,778, notably below state norms and indicating limited high-wage employment opportunities. Limited data currently exists on schools, health, safety, and environmental factors, which future updates will clarify.

Ideal for cost-conscious families

Danville suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes, with strong value for budgets under $50,000. The city's accessible housing market makes it appealing to first-time homebuyers and those seeking stable, predictable living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.3Cost83.1SafetyComing SoonHealth57.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.3Risk32WaterComing Soon
🏛83.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.1
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
57.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
32
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

Danville city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Danville city

via TaxByCounty

Danville taxes far below national average

Danville's effective tax rate of 0.674% sits well below the national median of 0.92%, making it among the most affordable places to own property. The typical $743 annual tax bill here is just 28% of the national median of $2,690, putting Danville in roughly the 15th percentile nationally.

Nearly average for Virginia

Danville's 0.674% rate matches Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it squarely in the middle of Virginia's property tax landscape. The city's median tax of $743 trails the state median of $1,960 because home values here are lower than the state average.

Lower taxes than regional peers

Danville's tax rate edges Dickenson County (0.497%) but falls below Emporia city (0.755%) and Dinwiddie County (0.601%) in the same region. The median home value of $110,200 keeps Danville's absolute tax bill modest despite a rate near the state average.

What a typical home costs in taxes

Own a median-priced home worth $110,200 in Danville? Expect to pay roughly $743 annually in property taxes. That breaks down to about $62 per month, or about $789 with mortgage-related taxes included.

Homeowners can challenge assessments

Many property owners across Virginia, including Danville, are unaware they can appeal their home's assessed value if they believe it's too high. A successful appeal could lower your $743 annual bill—making it worth exploring local assessment records to see if your home is fairly valued.

Cost of Living in Danville city

via CostByCounty

Danville rents strain budgets nationwide

At 22.7%, Danville's rent-to-income ratio sits 4.1 percentage points above the national benchmark of 18.6%, meaning renters here spend significantly more of their paychecks on housing. The median household income of $42,778 falls roughly 43% below the national average of $74,755, yet median rent of $808 remains affordable in absolute terms. This gap highlights how modest local incomes make even modest rents proportionally burdensome.

Among Virginia's least affordable cities

Danville ranks among Virginia's less affordable communities, with a rent-to-income ratio of 22.7% compared to the state average of 18.6%. The city's $808 median rent is 29% cheaper than Virginia's state average of $1,140, yet local incomes are too low to reap that benefit. Housing affordability here is squeezed by wages rather than rents.

Comparable rents, tighter budgets

Danville's $808 rent is nearly identical to Dickenson County's $733, but Danville's rent burden is steeper at 22.7% versus Dickenson's 20.1% due to lower median incomes. Both cities are among the region's most affordable places to rent in absolute dollars, yet both demand a larger share of income than Virginia's average. For renters prioritizing low nominal housing costs, these southeastern communities stand out.

Renting claims nearly a quarter of income

Danville renters spend $808 monthly on gross rent while earning a median household income of $42,778 annually—that's 22.7% of gross income devoted to housing alone. Homeowners fare slightly better, with median monthly owner costs of $707 on median home values around $110,200, absorbing roughly 19.9% of household income. Both figures exceed comfortable affordability thresholds, leaving little margin for other necessities.

Consider Danville if wages match local opportunity

Danville offers the region's cheapest rents and home prices, making it attractive for households whose jobs keep pace with local income levels. However, remote workers earning regional or national salaries would find exceptional purchasing power here—$808 rents and sub-$110k home values would consume far less than the local median percentages. Prospective residents should verify that job prospects or remote arrangements justify the lower wage environment.

Income & Jobs in Danville city

via IncomeByCounty

Danville falls well below national income average

Danville's median household income of $42,778 sits 43% below the national median of $74,755. This significant gap reflects economic challenges facing many post-industrial communities across the country.

Among Virginia's lower-income communities

Danville ranks substantially below Virginia's state median of $74,957, trailing by nearly $32,000 per household. The city's per capita income of $27,537 also lags the state average of $39,155 by about 30%.

Danville versus surrounding areas

Danville's income of $42,778 places it alongside Dickenson County ($43,831) as one of the region's lowest-earning areas. Nearby Essex County residents earn $56,481—about 32% more—suggesting significant economic variation across Virginia's communities.

Housing costs are manageable but tight

Danville's rent-to-income ratio of 22.7% falls within affordable range, meaning renters spend roughly a quarter of income on housing. However, with low median income, residents have limited margin for unexpected expenses or saving for future goals.

Building savings creates security and opportunity

Even modest regular contributions to savings or retirement accounts can compound significantly over time. Consider speaking with a financial advisor about accessible savings plans that fit your budget—small steps today build long-term financial resilience.

Health in Danville city

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap signals urgent need

Danville residents live to 68.3 years on average—nearly 9 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Over one-quarter of the population (26.5%) reports poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 18%, suggesting widespread chronic disease burden.

Among Virginia's least healthy cities

Danville ranks near the bottom of Virginia's health outcomes, with life expectancy 6.8 years below the state average of 75.1 years. The city's poor/fair health rate of 26.5% nearly doubles the state's typical level, reflecting concentrated health challenges.

Isolation in regional health profile

Danville's life expectancy of 68.3 years is substantially lower than nearby counties like Dinwiddie (74.7 years) and Dickenson (71.9 years). The city's poor/fair health rate of 26.5% exceeds all neighboring jurisdictions, indicating local factors driving worse outcomes.

Providers present but uninsured rate rising

Danville has 111 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—matching the state need—but 8.4% of residents remain uninsured, above Virginia's 7.9% average. Mental health capacity at 414 providers per 100,000 exceeds most rural areas, yet health outcomes suggest barriers to accessing care.

Health coverage is your foundation

One in twelve Danville residents lacks health insurance, creating financial and health risks during illness or emergency. Check your coverage options through Virginia's healthcare marketplace or local federally qualified health centers to ensure you're protected.

Disaster Risk in Danville city

via RiskByCounty

Danville faces above-average disaster risk

Danville's composite risk score of 68.03 places it in the relatively low category nationally, but this masks significant vulnerabilities in specific hazards. The city scores well above the U.S. average for flood, hurricane, and earthquake risks, indicating concentrated exposure to water and seismic events.

Among Virginia's higher-risk communities

Danville's score of 68.03 far exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the commonwealth's more disaster-prone localities. This elevated risk reflects the city's geographic exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly flooding and hurricanes.

Danville stands out in the region

Danville's composite score of 68.03 significantly outpaces nearby Emporia city (4.99) and Dinwiddie County (19.34), both in the very low risk category. The city's vulnerability to flood (81.52) and hurricane (76.64) events is substantially higher than these adjacent areas.

Floods and hurricanes pose greatest threat

Danville residents face the highest risk from flooding, with a risk score of 81.52, and hurricane exposure at 76.64—both well above state averages. Tornado risk (61.55) and earthquake risk (64.19) also merit attention, though they pose secondary threats compared to water-related hazards.

Prioritize flood and wind insurance today

Given Danville's elevated flood risk of 81.52, flood insurance is essential—standard homeowner's policies do not cover flood damage. Ensure your home insurance includes strong wind and hurricane coverage, and review your policy annually to keep pace with your property's exposure.

ByCounty Network

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