CountyScore

Emporia city

Virginia · VA

#88 in Virginia
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Emporia city, Virginia

Emporia surpasses national livability baseline

Emporia's composite score of 71.7 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it 43% above average and in the upper echelon of U.S. municipalities. The city's strong showing reflects consistent affordability and tax advantages across its profile.

Slightly above Virginia's state average

Emporia scores 71.7 against Virginia's state average of 70.3, positioning it modestly ahead of the commonwealth's typical county. The city's 2% edge over state baseline reflects solid but not exceptional livability fundamentals.

Low taxes and moderate housing costs

Emporia delivers a tax score of 81.0 with an effective rate of 0.755% and cost score of 78.8, supporting median rent of $1,060/month. Median home values of $131,100 maintain reasonable entry barriers for homebuyers.

Limited wage employment opportunities

The income score of 15.6 reflects a median household income of $49,375, suggesting modest employment prospects compared to state averages. Health, safety, school, and environmental assessments are not yet available, which future data will address.

Best for budget-conscious working families

Emporia suits families earning $45,000–$55,000 annually who prioritize low taxes and moderate housing costs over career advancement opportunities. It's ideal for those seeking small-town stability with Southern rural character and walkable downtown appeal.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81Cost78.8SafetyComing SoonHealth54.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.6Risk95WaterComing Soon
🏛81
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95
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 Emporia city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Emporia city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Emporia city

via TaxByCounty

Emporia's rates exceed national average

Emporia city's effective tax rate of 0.755% surpasses the national median of 0.92%, placing it in roughly the 65th percentile nationally. The median tax of $990 is 37% of the national median of $2,690, kept lower by Emporia's below-average home values of $131,100.

Above average for Virginia

Emporia city's 0.755% rate exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it one of the state's higher-tax jurisdictions. The median tax of $990 is about half the state median of $1,960, reflecting Emporia's much lower median home value.

Highest rate among nearby counties

Emporia city's 0.755% rate is the highest in the immediate region, exceeding Danville (0.674%), Dinwiddie County (0.601%), and significantly outpacing Dickenson County (0.497%). This higher rate somewhat offsets the advantage of lower home values.

What a typical home costs in taxes

A median-priced home worth $131,100 in Emporia city carries an annual tax bill of roughly $990. That translates to about $83 per month, though mortgage-related taxes could push the total toward $1,399 annually.

Homeowners can challenge assessments

Emporia homeowners should consider reviewing their property assessments, especially given the city's above-average tax rate. If your home is overvalued, an appeal could lower your $990 tax bill—a process that costs nothing but could save hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Emporia city

via CostByCounty

Emporia's rent burden strains household budgets

Emporia's rent-to-income ratio of 25.8% significantly exceeds the national benchmark of 18.6%, placing it among the least affordable rental markets in the nation. Median household income of $49,375 falls 34% below the national average, yet median rent of $1,060 is higher than many peer communities. The city presents a challenging affordability squeeze for renters.

Among Virginia's least affordable cities

Emporia's 25.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks as one of Virginia's worst, far exceeding the state average of 18.6% and even surpassing Danville's 22.7%. The $1,060 median rent approaches Virginia's statewide average despite wages that rank among the state's lowest. Emporia residents face the worst of both worlds—modest incomes and above-modest rents.

Emporia's rents outpace its wages

Emporia's $1,060 rent is 45% higher than Danville's $808 and 45% higher than Dickenson's $733, yet median income is similar or slightly higher. At 25.8%, Emporia's rent-to-income ratio is the poorest in this peer group, suggesting local rent growth has outpaced wage growth. Emporia renters face a tighter squeeze than comparable nearby communities.

Renters sacrifice heavily for housing

Emporia renters spend $1,060 monthly on $49,375 annual income—consuming 25.8% of gross earnings, nearly 40% above the recommended 18% threshold. Homeowners fare better with $678 monthly costs on $131,100 median home values, claiming 16.4% of income. The rental market here is significantly stressed compared to the homeownership option.

Renters should explore homeownership seriously

Emporia's rental market is notably expensive relative to local wages, but homeownership offers significant relief with monthly costs under $680 and homes near $131k. Prospective residents considering relocation should prioritize buying over renting if finances permit, or compare Emporia to neighboring communities with better rental-to-income ratios. Remote workers earning above-local wages would find better overall value in more affordable peer communities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Emporia city

via IncomeByCounty

Emporia's income falls below national average

Emporia city's median household income of $49,375 sits 34% below the nation's median of $74,755. This shortfall reflects economic challenges facing small Virginia communities transitioning away from traditional industries.

Emporia ranks among Virginia's lower-income areas

At $49,375, Emporia's median household income trails Virginia's state average of $74,957 by roughly $25,500. Per capita income of $25,570 also significantly underperforms the state average of $39,155.

Emporia faces tighter income constraints than some neighbors

Emporia's $49,375 median income exceeds Danville ($42,778) but lags behind Essex County ($56,481) and Dinwiddie ($83,898). The city occupies a challenging middle position among surrounding communities.

Housing costs consume a notable income share

Emporia's rent-to-income ratio of 25.8% is above the standard 20-30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs stretch budgets tighter. With median income relatively modest, residents have limited financial cushion for savings or emergencies.

Prioritize emergency savings even with tight budgets

Building an emergency fund of even $500-1,000 provides crucial protection against unexpected costs. Look into employer retirement plans or low-fee community investment programs that let you contribute small amounts regularly.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Emporia city

via HealthByCounty

Critical health disparities in small city

Emporia residents average 66.8 years—9.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—representing one of Virginia's shortest life expectancies. Over one-quarter (28.1%) report poor or fair health, far exceeding the national 18% and indicating severe health burdens.

Second-lowest life expectancy in state

Emporia's 66.8-year life expectancy ranks among the worst in Virginia, trailing the state average by 8.3 years. Only Danville city shows lower life expectancy, with Emporia's 28.1% poor/fair health rate the highest across Virginia's jurisdictions.

Severe health crisis distinct in region

Emporia's 66.8-year life expectancy is dramatically lower than surrounding counties like Dinwiddie (74.7 years) and Dickenson (71.9 years). The city's 28.1% poor/fair health rate dramatically exceeds all regional peers, signaling concentrated health vulnerability.

Primary care desert with mental health paradox

Emporia reports no available primary care provider data, creating a critical access gap for routine medical care and chronic disease management. At 8.4% uninsured and 458 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the city faces a mismatch between capacity and primary care needs.

Coverage is essential for your survival

Over one in twelve Emporia residents lack health insurance, leaving them vulnerable to catastrophic medical costs and delayed care. Reach out to Virginia's health marketplace or local community health centers immediately to explore coverage options that fit your situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Emporia city

via RiskByCounty

Emporia enjoys exceptional safety

Emporia's composite risk score of 4.99 ranks among the lowest in the nation, indicating minimal overall natural disaster vulnerability. The city scores exceptionally low across flood (13.45), wildfire (0.92), and tornado (16.25) risks, though hurricane exposure is more moderate at 73.88.

One of Virginia's safest places

Emporia's score of 4.99 is less than one-seventh of Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it near the top tier of safe communities statewide. Only a handful of Virginia localities rival Emporia's exceptional low-risk profile.

Emporia is the region's safest city

Emporia's composite score of 4.99 is substantially lower than nearby Dinwiddie County (19.34) and far below Danville city's 68.03. The city's minimal wildfire risk (0.92) is particularly notable compared to Dickenson County's 83.27.

Hurricane exposure is Emporia's sole concern

Emporia's hurricane risk of 73.88 stands in sharp contrast to the city's extremely low scores across other hazards, making tropical systems the primary natural disaster threat. All other risk categories—flood (13.45), wildfire (0.92), tornado (16.25), earthquake (37.60)—remain minimal.

Ensure adequate hurricane coverage

Emporia residents should maintain homeowner's insurance with comprehensive wind and water damage coverage to handle tropical storms. Review your policy's deductibles and replacement cost valuations to ensure adequate protection during hurricane season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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