CountyScore

Essex County

Virginia · VA

#68 in Virginia
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Essex County, Virginia

Essex County delivers above-average livability

Essex's composite score of 73.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 46%, confirming strong overall livability across tax, cost, and income dimensions. The county ranks among Virginia's better-performing jurisdictions on the livability index.

Solidly above Virginia's state benchmark

Essex scores 73.1 against the state average of 70.3, placing it comfortably in the upper third of Virginia counties. The 4% advantage reflects particularly strong tax and housing affordability relative to peer jurisdictions.

Competitive taxes and balanced housing costs

Essex excels with a tax score of 86.1 (0.574% effective rate) and cost score of 76.6, supporting median rent of $967/month and home values around $228,600. The county offers reasonable entry points for homebuyers seeking suburban comfort.

Median incomes below state standards

The income score of 20.3 reflects a median household income of $56,481, trailing state norms and suggesting limited high-wage opportunities. Data on schools, health, safety, and environmental factors remain unavailable, pending future assessment.

Ideal for retirees and stable families

Essex County suits retirees and established families with incomes near $56,000 who value low taxes and reasonable housing costs in a rural-suburban setting. It's particularly appealing for those seeking quiet, stable communities without high job-market competition.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.1Cost76.6SafetyComing SoonHealth61.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.3Risk81.5WaterComing Soon
🏛86.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡81.5
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 Essex County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
Alabama
71
Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
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Median income: $49,167
Dale County
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71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
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Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Essex County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Essex County

via TaxByCounty

Essex taxes well below national average

Essex County's effective tax rate of 0.574% sits well below the national median of 0.92%, placing it in roughly the 15th percentile nationally. The median tax of $1,312 is 49% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting a below-average rate despite moderate home values.

Below average for Virginia

Essex County's 0.574% rate trails Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it one of the state's more affordable jurisdictions. The median tax of $1,312 is about 33% below the state median of $1,960, benefiting from a lower rate and slightly below-average home values.

Moderate taxes for the region

Essex County's 0.574% rate places it between Dickenson County's 0.497% and Dinwiddie County's 0.601%, making it a middle option in the local area. A median home value of $228,600 gives it more expensive properties than nearby Danville and Dickenson, but still below state average.

What a typical home costs in taxes

Own a median-priced home worth $228,600 in Essex County? You'll pay approximately $1,312 in annual property taxes. That breaks down to about $109 per month, or roughly $1,495 when mortgage-related taxes are included.

Homeowners can challenge assessments

Essex County homeowners should verify their property assessments are accurate—overassessments can happen anywhere, and appeals are free. A successful challenge could reduce your $1,312 annual bill and deliver meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Essex County

via CostByCounty

Essex balances modest income with modest cost

Essex County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% moderately exceeds the national standard of 18.6%, though not dramatically so. Median household income of $56,481 trails the nation by 24%, while median rent of $967 reflects a middle ground between rural and suburban Virginia. The county presents a stable, if slightly stretched, rental market.

Moderate affordability for rural Virginia

Essex County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio sits above Virginia's state average of 18.6%, ranking it among mid-range affordability communities statewide. The $967 median rent is 15% below Virginia's statewide median of $1,140, partially offset by below-average local incomes. Essex represents a typical rural Virginia housing balance.

Essex between affordability extremes

Essex's $967 rent falls between Danville's $808 and Emporia's $1,060, and its 20.5% rent-to-income ratio similarly occupies middle ground. The median income of $56,481 exceeds Danville and Dickenson but falls short of Dinwiddie's $83,898, making Essex a moderate option. For renters seeking reasonable but not exceptional affordability, Essex offers balance.

Housing remains manageable for owners

Essex renters spend $967 monthly on $56,481 annual income—a moderate 20.5% of gross earnings—leaving adequate room for other expenses. Homeowners enjoy better terms with $942 monthly costs on median value of $228,600, consuming just 19.9% of household income. Both renting and owning remain relatively balanced options here.

Essex suits flexible relocators seeking balance

Essex County offers neither the absolute lowest costs nor the highest incomes, but rather a balanced middle ground where $967 rents and $229k homes remain manageable. The county appeals to workers with regional job flexibility seeking small-town living without extreme affordability constraints. Prospective residents comparing multiple Virginia options should view Essex as a solid compromise between rural affordability and suburban opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Essex County

via IncomeByCounty

Essex County moderately underperforms national average

Essex County's median household income of $56,481 runs 24% below the national median of $74,755. While this gap is notable, the county performs better than many rural Virginia communities nationwide.

Essex County income below but closer to state average

Essex County's $56,481 median income trails Virginia's state average of $74,957 by about $18,500. Per capita income of $32,839 approaches the state average of $39,155, reflecting moderate economic standing within the state.

Essex County sits in the middle income range

Essex's $56,481 income places it above lower-income communities like Emporia ($49,375) but well below Dinwiddie ($83,898). The county represents a transitional tier between Virginia's most and least prosperous regions.

Housing remains reasonably affordable here

Essex County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% falls comfortably within the affordable range. Despite modest income, median home values of $228,600 are accessible to many households, enabling property ownership.

Homeownership can be a wealth-building strategy

Essex County's reasonable housing costs relative to income make property ownership viable for many residents. Building home equity through ownership often serves as a primary wealth-accumulation strategy for working families.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Essex County

via HealthByCounty

Rural county trails national health standards

Essex County residents live to 73.0 years on average—3.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly one-quarter (23.9%) report poor or fair health, significantly exceeding the national 18% and reflecting cumulative health challenges.

Below-average health outcomes statewide

Essex's life expectancy of 73.0 years lags Virginia's 75.1-year average by 2.1 years, placing the county in the lower half of state health rankings. The county's 23.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds typical state patterns, indicating concentrated vulnerability.

Mid-range peer facing provider constraints

Essex's 73.0-year life expectancy sits between Dinwiddie (74.7 years) and Dickenson (71.9 years), while its 23.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds most nearby jurisdictions. Regional comparisons suggest local healthcare access limitations compound underlying health needs.

Limited providers, rising uninsured rates

Essex has just 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—one-third of state levels—and 66 mental health providers per 100,000. At 9.9% uninsured, Essex has the highest uninsured rate in this county cohort, leaving nearly one in ten residents without coverage.

Don't become a health care casualty

Essex County's 9.9% uninsured rate means nearly one in ten residents face medical emergencies without coverage—one of the state's highest rates. Visit Virginia's health insurance marketplace today to find affordable plans that protect you and your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Essex County

via RiskByCounty

Essex ranks in the very low category

Essex's composite risk score of 18.58 places it solidly in the very low category nationally, well below average disaster vulnerability. However, the county's flood risk (55.60) and hurricane risk (80.02) are notably elevated, reflecting its coastal location and water exposure.

Below average but not exceptional

Essex's score of 18.58 sits below Virginia's state average of 33.27, ranking the county among the commonwealth's safer communities. The county's low tornado (22.87) and wildfire (10.24) risks contribute significantly to this favorable standing.

Essex comparable to Dinwiddie County

Essex's composite score of 18.58 closely mirrors nearby Dinwiddie County's 19.34, suggesting similar overall resilience. Both counties significantly outperform Danville city (68.03), though Essex's flood and hurricane scores exceed Dinwiddie's due to coastal proximity.

Hurricanes and floods are primary threats

Essex residents face substantial hurricane risk at 80.02 and moderate flood risk at 55.60, reflecting the county's Chesapeake Bay location and tidal influences. Tornado (22.87), earthquake (43.16), and wildfire (10.24) risks remain minimal by comparison.

Prioritize flood and hurricane insurance

Given Essex's flood risk of 55.60 and hurricane exposure of 80.02, flood insurance is critical—standard homeowner's policies exclude flood damage. Ensure wind and water damage coverage is adequate, and consider elevated structures or flood vents if you live in vulnerable areas.

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.