countyscore
54.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 85.9Weather & Climate 77.5Disaster Risk 77.4

County Report Card

About Gloucester County, Virginia

Above the National Baseline

Gloucester County scores a 53.6 on the composite index, outperforming the national median of 50.0. It represents a stable community that ranks in the upper half of counties nationwide.

A Strong Virginia Contender

With a score of 53.6, the county sits slightly above the Virginia state average of 50.9. This indicates a consistent lifestyle that aligns well with the Commonwealth's overall standards.

High Incomes and Low Taxes

The county boasts a strong income score of 87.6, supported by a median household income of $83,689. Residents also benefit from a favorable tax score of 75.1, thanks to an effective tax rate of 0.594%.

Housing Affordability Pressures

The cost score of 16.3 reflects a challenging real estate market where median home values reach $289,200. Maintaining a lower water score of 42.9 also suggests room for utility infrastructure growth.

Best for Established Professionals

Gloucester suits families and professionals who value high earning potential and tax efficiency. While housing costs are higher, the strong economic metrics provide a sturdy foundation for long-term residency.

2040608010076.118.352.466.150.785.977.442.977.5Tax76.1Cost18.3Safety52.4Health66.1Schools50.7Income85.9Risk77.4Water42.9Weather77.554.1/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Gloucester County DNA

Foverall

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

Gloucester County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (85.9/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (18.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
76.1+24.099999999999994
Cost
18.3-29.7
Safety
52.4
Health
66.1+16.099999999999994
Schools
50.7
Income
85.9+34.900000000000006
Risk
77.4+30.400000000000006
Water
42.9-15.100000000000001
Weather
77.5+21.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$331,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,096/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$331,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $84,306/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.9

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Mathews County
Virginia
63.5
York County
Virginia
52.3
Williamsburg city
Virginia
49.3
James City County
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Middlesex County
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Poquoson city
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Lancaster County
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Deep Dives

Gloucester County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Gloucester County

via TaxByCounty

Gloucester County taxes lag behind the nation

Gloucester County's effective rate of 0.594% ranks below the national median of 0.80%, placing it among the lowest-taxing counties nationally. At $1,718 annually, the median property tax bill is about 36% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Among Virginia's most tax-friendly counties

Gloucester County's 0.594% effective rate is the fourth-lowest among Virginia's 95 counties and cities, well below the state average of 0.671%. The median tax of $1,718, though higher than rural counties, still falls below Virginia's statewide median of $1,960.

Lowest rate among Tidewater peer counties

Gloucester County offers the most competitive tax rate in its region, undercutting Hampton city (0.965%) by 37 percentage points and its neighbors to the west. The $1,718 median tax here reflects higher home values ($289,200) paired with restraint in tax rates.

Median home of $289,200 yields $1,718 annual tax

Gloucester County's median home value of $289,200 translates to approximately $1,718 in annual property taxes. Whether you carry a mortgage ($1,726) or own outright ($1,694), the effective bill remains remarkably stable across ownership structures.

Assessment disputes can save you hundreds

Even in tax-friendly Gloucester County, overassessments happen—and you have the right to challenge them. A successful appeal could reduce your $1,718 annual bill by hundreds of dollars and ensure you're only paying taxes on your home's true market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gloucester County

via IncomeByCounty

Gloucester exceeds national income bar

Gloucester County's median household income of $83,689 tops the national median of $74,755 by over $9,000, placing it comfortably in the upper-middle income tier nationwide. Per capita income of $40,924 also outpaces national norms, signaling strong individual earning power. Gloucester ranks above average for American counties overall.

Solid performer within Virginia

Gloucester County exceeds Virginia's state median household income of $74,957 by about $8,700, positioning it in the upper third of the state's counties. The county's per capita income of $40,924 surpasses Virginia's $39,155 average, reflecting above-average earning potential. This makes Gloucester one of the state's stronger-performing communities.

Strong income next to wealthier Goochland

Gloucester's $83,689 median income ranks second among nearby peers, trailing only the affluent Goochland County ($118,695) but outpacing Greene County ($85,268) by a narrow margin. Compared to struggling southern neighbors Halifax ($49,244) and Grayson ($42,864), Gloucester is markedly wealthier. The county represents solid middle to upper-middle class prosperity in the region.

Housing requires larger income share

Gloucester's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% means households dedicate roughly two weeks of earnings to rent monthly—elevated but still sustainable. The median home value of $289,200 is substantial, requiring solid dual incomes or significant down payments to afford comfortably. Residents should budget carefully for housing, which represents the largest household expense.

Leverage above-average income strategically

Gloucester households should capitalize on above-average earnings by prioritizing tax-advantaged retirement accounts and investment diversification. With median income exceeding state averages, there's room to build wealth through consistent investing in stocks, bonds, and real estate. Consider working with a financial planner to optimize tax efficiency and long-term asset growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Gloucester County

via CrimeByCounty

Gloucester County maintains a high safety profile

The county reports a total crime rate of 1,067.6 per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the community an exceptional safety score of 98.3 out of 100. Local law enforcement maintains a secure environment that significantly outpaces national standards.

A leader in Virginia safety rankings

Gloucester’s safety score of 98.3 sits comfortably above the Virginia state average of 97.3. Residents experience total crime rates far lower than the state average of 1,728.8 per 100,000. These figures establish the county as one of the more secure regions in the Commonwealth.

Comparing safety with regional neighbors

Gloucester's crime rate of 1,067.6 is lower than Greene County's 1,206.9 and Hanover's 1,293.1. While it remains very safe, it sees slightly more activity than Goochland County, which reports just 915.5 incidents per 100,000. Overall, the county holds its own as a low-crime alternative in the region.

Property crimes dominate local reports

Property crime accounts for the vast majority of local incidents at 951.8 per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the violent crime rate remains low at 115.8, which is less than a third of the national violent crime average. This suggests that most public safety concerns involve non-violent theft or vandalism.

Stay proactive about home security

Because property crime makes up nearly 90% of local reports, basic home security makes a significant difference. Motion-activated lighting and smart doorbells help deter opportunistic property crimes. Residents should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the two local reporting agencies.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Gloucester County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic coastal soils near the Chesapeake

Gloucester County features an average pH of 5.15, placing it on the more acidic side of Virginia's 5.23 average. This level is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, often requiring lime for traditional vegetable gardening.

High sand content defines the texture

With 64.9% sand and only 11.5% clay, this soil is exceptionally light and well-aerated. Such a high sand percentage allows for excellent root penetration but may lead to rapid nutrient leaching during heavy rains.

State-average organic matter sustains growth

The soil contains 2.83% organic matter, which is nearly identical to the Virginia state average of 2.90%. However, the available water capacity of 0.129 in/in is below the state average, meaning supplemental irrigation is often necessary.

Rapid drainage in sandy coastal plains

Although formal drainage data is unavailable, the 64.9% sand concentration typically ensures very fast drainage. This prevents waterlogging in coastal areas but requires gardeners to be diligent about watering during the peak of summer.

Zone 8a offers a long growing season

The warm 8a hardiness zone allows for a wide range of crops, including heat-tolerant figs and peppers. Focusing on drought-resistant varieties will help you make the most of Gloucester's sandy and fast-draining soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Gloucester County

via LawnByCounty

Managing a Coastal Zone 8a Lawn

Gloucester County scores a 52.7 for lawn difficulty, placing it slightly above the national average but below the Virginia state average. Growing in Zone 8a presents unique challenges, as the coastal environment influences moisture levels and grass selection.

Ample Rain but Moderate Heat

At 51.9 inches per year, annual precipitation is higher than the state average and exceeds the ideal range for many lawns. While heat stress is moderate with 16 extreme heat days, this high moisture requires careful monitoring for fungal diseases.

Quick Drainage in Sandy Soils

The soil is predominantly sandy at 64.9%, which ensures quick drainage but can lead to rapid nutrient leaching. With a pH of 5.15, substantial lime treatments are necessary to reach the 6.0 benchmark required for optimal grass health.

Moisture Retention in Dry Conditions

Although the county faced 10 weeks of drought last year, 100% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. Homeowners should use mulch-mowing techniques to retain soil moisture and protect the grass during periods of limited rainfall.

Warm-Season Grasses for the Coast

Warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass or Zoysia are excellent choices for this Zone 8a climate. While specific frost dates are unavailable, planting in late spring ensures the lawn establishes itself before the peak summer humidity arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gloucester County's county score?
Gloucester County, Virginia has a composite county score of 54.1 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 Gloucester County rank among counties in Virginia?
Gloucester County ranks #59 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 Gloucester County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Gloucester County is $1,878, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Gloucester County a tax score of 76.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Gloucester County?
The median household income in Gloucester County, Virginia is $84,306 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Gloucester County earns an income score of 85.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Gloucester County, Virginia a good place to live?
Gloucester County scores 54.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #59 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Gloucester 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 Gloucester County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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