Dinwiddie County

Virginia · VA

#67 in Virginia
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Dinwiddie County, Virginia

Dinwiddie ranks at state livability average

Dinwiddie's composite score of 70.2 falls essentially at Virginia's state average of 70.3, yet still outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 40%. The county represents solid middle-ground livability with balanced strengths and tradeoffs.

Right at Virginia's median performance

Dinwiddie scores 70.2 against the state average of 70.3, placing it squarely in the middle of Virginia's counties. This near-average positioning means the county offers typical Virginia livability without standout advantages or disadvantages.

Strong income foundation and tax structure

Dinwiddie boasts the highest income score among these counties at 38.1, with a median household income of $83,898, reflecting stable professional employment. The county also maintains a solid tax score of 85.4 with an effective rate of 0.601%.

Housing costs above county average

The cost score of 66.9 reflects median rent of $1,242/month and home values near $246,100—well above the state's most affordable counties. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, limiting full livability assessment.

Suits established professionals seeking balance

Dinwiddie works best for established families and mid-career professionals with household incomes near $85,000 who value moderate taxes and suburban stability. Those seeking ultra-affordable housing should look west; those wanting higher incomes should look toward Northern Virginia.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost66.9SafetyComing SoonHealth69.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome38.1Risk80.7WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠66.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼38.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
69.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
80.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Dinwiddie County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dinwiddie County

via TaxByCounty

Dinwiddie taxes well below national average

Dinwiddie County's effective tax rate of 0.601% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.92%, placing it in roughly the 20th percentile nationally. The median tax of $1,478 is 55% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both a moderate rate and moderate home values.

Below average for Virginia

Dinwiddie County's 0.601% rate trails Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it one of the state's more affordable jurisdictions. The median tax of $1,478 is about 25% below the state median of $1,960, benefiting from a combination of a lower rate and below-average home values.

Moderate taxes in the region

Dinwiddie County's 0.601% rate falls between Dickenson County's 0.497% and Emporia city's 0.755%, placing it in the middle of the local pack. A median home value of $246,100 means the county's median tax is higher in absolute dollars than nearby Danville and Dickenson despite a lower rate.

What a typical home costs in taxes

Own a median-priced home worth $246,100 in Dinwiddie County? You'll pay approximately $1,478 in annual property taxes. That breaks down to about $123 per month, or roughly $1,490 when mortgage-related taxes are factored in.

Homeowners can challenge assessments

Dinwiddie homeowners should verify their property assessments—even here, overassessments are possible and can be challenged at no cost. A successful appeal could reduce your $1,478 annual bill and put money back in your pocket.

Cost of Living in Dinwiddie County

via CostByCounty

Dinwiddie balances higher incomes and costs

Dinwiddie County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% beats the national average of 18.6%, positioning it as a genuinely affordable market despite higher absolute costs. Median household income of $83,898 exceeds the national average of $74,755 by 12%, while median rent of $1,242 reflects the stronger local economy. This county demonstrates how rising incomes can outpace rising rents, improving overall affordability.

Virginia's sweet spot for balance

Dinwiddie ranks among Virginia's most affordable communities by ratio at 17.8%, matching the state average of 18.6% at the upper end of efficiency. Incomes here significantly exceed the state average, while rents remain only 9% above Virginia's median—a favorable combination. This central Virginia county offers wage growth alongside housing stability.

Higher wages, higher but manageable costs

Dinwiddie's $83,898 median income dwarfs Danville's $42,778 and Dickenson's $43,831, allowing residents to absorb $1,242 rent more comfortably despite the higher nominal cost. At 17.8%, Dinwiddie's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this peer group, demonstrating how wage strength beats rental restraint. For those prioritizing income opportunity, Dinwiddie's higher costs become negligible.

Housing consumes modest share of income

Dinwiddie renters spend $1,242 monthly while earning $83,898 annually—just 17.8% of gross income, leaving substantial discretionary spending capacity. Homeowners face $1,238 monthly costs on a median value of $246,100, also consuming a reasonable 17.7% of household income. Both figures place Dinwiddie among Virginia's most comfortable housing situations relative to earning power.

Dinwiddie rewards career growth and wages

This county offers the rare combination of strong incomes ($83,898 median) with genuinely affordable housing ratios, making it ideal for families prioritizing economic stability. Homes averaging $246,100 and rents at $1,242 remain comfortably below 18% of income, leaving room for savings and quality of life. Professionals relocating for jobs in central Virginia will find Dinwiddie's balance hard to beat.

Income & Jobs in Dinwiddie County

via IncomeByCounty

Dinwiddie County income exceeds national standard

Dinwiddie County's median household income of $83,898 runs 12% ahead of the nation's $74,755 median. This above-average standing reflects the county's stronger economic position compared to most U.S. communities.

Dinwiddie ranks above Virginia's median income

At $83,898, Dinwiddie County's median household income surpasses Virginia's state average of $74,957 by about $9,000. Per capita income of $37,955 approaches the state average of $39,155, indicating solid middle-class earnings.

Dinwiddie outearns most nearby counties

Dinwiddie's $83,898 median income significantly outpaces lower-income neighbors like Dickenson ($43,831) and Essex ($56,481). The county's economic performance places it among the stronger-earning areas in its region.

Strong income supports homeownership and goals

Dinwiddie's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio and median home value of $246,100 indicate housing is affordable relative to income. With median household income comfortably supporting homeownership costs, residents can pursue additional financial objectives.

Leverage your income advantage strategically

Dinwiddie's above-average income creates opportunities for meaningful wealth building through diversified investments and retirement accounts. Consider maximizing tax-advantaged savings options like 401(k)s and IRAs to accelerate long-term financial growth.

Health in Dinwiddie County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy approaches national average

Dinwiddie residents live to 74.7 years—just 1.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. About one in five residents (19.5%) reports poor or fair health, better than the national 18%, suggesting relatively strong health status in this rural county.

Near-average health within state

Dinwiddie's life expectancy of 74.7 years sits just 0.4 years below Virginia's 75.1-year average, placing it solidly in the middle of state health rankings. The county's 19.5% poor/fair health rate aligns closely with statewide patterns.

Regional health leader among peers

Dinwiddie's 74.7-year life expectancy outperforms Dickenson (71.9 years) and Essex (73.0 years), and its 19.5% poor/fair health rate is better than most neighboring jurisdictions. The county represents a relative bright spot in rural Southside Virginia health outcomes.

Limited providers despite relatively good health

Dinwiddie has only 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 25 mental health providers per 100,000—both well below state averages. At 7.2% uninsured, the county's coverage rate slightly exceeds Virginia's average, but provider scarcity limits access to available insurance.

Protect your health with insurance

While Dinwiddie's uninsured rate is lower than many rural counties, 7.2% of residents still lack coverage. Check Virginia's healthcare marketplace to ensure you have insurance protection for routine care, emergencies, and chronic disease management.

Disaster Risk in Dinwiddie County

via RiskByCounty

Dinwiddie ranks very low nationally

Dinwiddie's composite risk score of 19.34 places it in the very low category, far below the national average. The county enjoys broad protection across most hazard types, though it shows moderate earthquake risk (55.41) compared to its other low exposures.

Well below Virginia's average risk

Dinwiddie's score of 19.34 sits significantly below Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the commonwealth's safer communities. This advantage extends across flood, wildfire, and tornado categories, where Dinwiddie consistently underperforms the state mean.

Dinwiddie among the region's safest

Dinwiddie's composite score of 19.34 is comparable to nearby Essex County (18.58) and well below Danville city's 68.03. Both Dinwiddie and Essex remain in the very low risk category, offering residents substantial protection relative to other Virginia localities.

Earthquake poses secondary concern

Dinwiddie's earthquake risk of 55.41 is the county's highest hazard exposure, though it remains moderate compared to other Virginia counties. Flood risk (22.11), tornado risk (28.05), and wildfire risk (21.88) all present minimal threats, while hurricane risk stands at 66.54.

Focus on earthquake preparedness

While Dinwiddie's overall risk is low, residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls to reduce earthquake damage. Maintain standard homeowner's insurance and ensure your family has an emergency plan for sheltering in place during seismic events.

ByCounty Network

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