Greene County

Virginia · VA

#80 in Virginia
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Greene County, Virginia

Greene outperforms national baseline

Greene's 66.6 composite score beats the national median of 50.0 by 33%, positioning it in the upper half of U.S. counties. The score reflects mixed performance on affordability and income indicators.

Below Virginia's state average

Greene scores 66.6, trailing Virginia's 70.3 state average by 3.7 points, making it an below-average performer within the commonwealth. The county sits in the lower half of Virginia's county rankings.

Low taxes and reasonable incomes

Greene maintains a strong 84.3 tax score with a 0.637% effective rate, while its 39.0 income score reflects a median household income of $85,268—above national averages. Tax efficiency supports middle-class households effectively.

Housing costs constrain overall livability

Greene's 60.2 cost score reflects elevated housing prices, with median home values at $315,300 and gross rent at $1,502/month. These costs limit affordability despite reasonable incomes and low taxes.

Suitable for middle-income families

Greene works for established families earning solid incomes who value low taxes and Virginia's Piedmont charm. The county balances modest affordability with community stability for those with moderate-to-good earning power.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.3Cost60.2SafetyComing SoonHealth73.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome39Risk90.7WaterComing Soon
🏛84.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠60.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼39
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
90.7
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

Greene County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Greene County

via TaxByCounty

Greene County's rates align with U.S. average

At 0.637%, Greene County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 0.80%, placing it squarely in the middle of American counties. The median property tax of $2,009 is about 25% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower-than-average home values for the rate.

Middle-of-the-road taxes for Virginia

Greene County's 0.637% effective rate slightly exceeds Virginia's 0.671% average, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 95 counties and cities. At $2,009, the median tax bill falls below Virginia's statewide median of $1,960—an unexpected advantage for a higher-rate jurisdiction.

Higher rate than Goochland, comparable to Giles

Greene County's 0.637% rate exceeds Goochland County's 0.500% by 27 percentage points but remains close to Giles County's 0.632%. On a typical home, Greene residents pay roughly $100-200 more annually than these nearby counties.

Median home of $315,300 equals $2,009 yearly

Greene County homeowners with a median-priced $315,300 property pay approximately $2,009 in annual property taxes. The bill stays consistent between mortgage holders ($1,985) and outright owners ($2,079).

Assessment challenges can reclaim hundreds

Many Greene County homeowners accept their assessments without question, missing opportunities to appeal overvalued properties. Filing a challenge costs nothing and could reduce your $2,009 annual bill significantly if your home has been assessed above its true market value.

Cost of Living in Greene County

via CostByCounty

Greene's housing strains mid-income earners

Greene County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% ranks worst in this comparison and significantly exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6%. Despite a solid median household income of $85,268—above the national average—residents dedicate the highest share of earnings to rent relative to their incomes in this peer group.

Below-average affordability among peers

Greene County ranks in the bottom third of Virginia counties for housing affordability, with its 21.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average. The county's $1,502 median rent is 32% above the state average, driven by proximity to affluent Northern Virginia markets.

Mountain premium pulls rents up

Greene's $1,502 rent exceeds Grayson's $712 by $790 monthly, yet incomes run only $42,404 higher—making Greene's affordability surprisingly worse than nearby rural counties. Compared to Goochland to the east, Greene rents are $65 cheaper, but the income advantage swings the affordability advantage to Goochland.

Rent bite is significant here

At $1,502 monthly, median rent takes 21.1% of household income—the highest burden of any county here—while homeownership costs $1,353 monthly. Together, housing consumes over 32% of earnings, leaving a tight budget for other necessities in Greene County households.

Greene best for those with flexibility

Greene County's beautiful mountain setting comes with housing costs that strain typical budgets, making it riskier than nearby alternatives. Consider Grayson or Halifax to the south for cheaper rents, or Goochland to the east if your income exceeds $100,000—you'll find better affordability ratios.

Income & Jobs in Greene County

via IncomeByCounty

Greene exceeds national income standard

Greene County's median household income of $85,268 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by over $10,000, placing it in the upper-middle income bracket nationwide. Per capita income of $41,541 also exceeds national norms, reflecting solid earning potential. Greene ranks above average for American counties overall.

Strong performer within Virginia

Greene County's median household income of $85,268 exceeds Virginia's state average of $74,957 by about $10,300, positioning it in the state's upper tier. Per capita income of $41,541 tops Virginia's $39,155 average, signaling above-average earning capacity. Greene ranks solidly in the state's stronger-performing counties.

Wealthy enclave among regional peers

Greene's $85,268 median income outpaces neighboring Gloucester County ($83,689) by a slight margin and significantly exceeds struggling counties like Halifax ($49,244) and Grayson ($42,864). Though Goochland County ($118,695) dominates the region, Greene ranks second among nearby peers in income. The county represents upper-middle-class stability.

Housing consumes elevated income share

Greene's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% is notably elevated, meaning more than one-fifth of household income goes to rent—approaching tight territory. Median home values of $315,300 require substantial income and savings to afford, stretching many local budgets. Careful housing budgeting is essential for Greene residents.

Build wealth through disciplined investing

Greene residents should capitalize on above-average earnings by consistently contributing to retirement accounts and diversified investments. With incomes exceeding state averages, there's genuine capacity to build significant wealth over time through index funds and real estate. Start early with automatic contributions to remove behavioral barriers to saving.

Health in Greene County

via HealthByCounty

Greene nears national health standard

At 78.3 years, Greene County residents approach the U.S. life expectancy average of 78.0 years. The 17.0% poor or fair health rating sits near national norms, suggesting moderate access challenges typical of rural Virginia.

Slightly above Virginia's baseline

Greene's 78.3-year life expectancy edges past Virginia's 75.1-year average by 3.2 years, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state health outcomes. The county's stable health profile outperforms many neighboring Appalachian areas.

Outperforms nearby mountain counties

Greene's 78.3 years substantially surpasses neighbors Grayson (74.6) and Giles (72.2), reflecting better infrastructure and economic diversification. However, it lags Goochland (80.2), indicating room for improvement in provider capacity.

Limited primary care, strong mental health

With 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Greene faces gaps in routine care capacity. However, 117 mental health providers per 100,000 residents and an 8.8% uninsured rate show the county has prioritized behavioral health access.

Uninsured? Don't wait.

Nearly 1 in 11 Greene County residents lack coverage, risking catastrophic bills for urgent care. Visit healthcare.gov or call your local health department to explore affordable plans before an emergency forces costly choices.

Disaster Risk in Greene County

via RiskByCounty

Greene County has exceptionally low risk

With a composite risk score of just 9.29, Greene County achieves "Very Low" status and ranks among the nation's safest counties for natural disasters. This piedmont location benefits from distance to both coasts and major fault lines.

Virginia's safest county by composite score

Greene County's 9.29 score is dramatically lower than Virginia's 33.27 state average, making it the commonwealth's most protected county overall. Only a handful of Virginia counties approach this level of disaster resilience.

Exceptional safety in central region

Greene County's 9.29 substantially outperforms all nearby counties, including Giles County (16.57) and Grayson County (24.65), establishing it as a true safe haven. Piedmont geography and elevation create ideal protective conditions.

Hurricanes and wildfires are secondary concerns

Hurricane risk (63.45) and wildfire risk (42.81) rank highest for Greene County, though both remain moderate and well below state averages. Flood (24.81), earthquake (41.98), and tornado (14.25) risks all stay minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient

Greene County residents enjoy minimal natural disaster exposure and can typically rely on comprehensive homeowners insurance for protection. Those with properties near waterways should verify flood coverage regardless.

ByCounty Network

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