countyscore
51.6
County Score
Disaster Risk 90.7Income & Jobs 90.3Property Tax 71.2

County Report Card

About Greene County, Virginia

Aligning with National Norms

Greene County matches the national median with a composite score of 50.6. It offers a life experience that mirrors the typical American county, balancing several key metrics.

Consistent with Virginia’s Profile

The county's score of 50.6 is nearly identical to the Virginia state average of 50.9. It provides a reliable and representative Virginia lifestyle for its residents.

High Incomes and Environmental Safety

Greene County shines with an environmental risk score of 90.7 and a strong income score of 88.7. Median household incomes are a robust $85,268, supporting a comfortable standard of living.

Housing and Water Hurdles

The cost score of 9.5 indicates that housing is quite expensive, with median rents at $1,502. Additionally, the water score of 32.8 suggests that local utility infrastructure could benefit from updates.

Perfect for Secure High Earners

This county is best suited for families who value safety from natural hazards and have the income to support higher housing costs. It offers peace of mind through its high risk-resilience and economic stability.

2040608010071.213.146.167.653.290.390.732.860.8Tax71.2Cost13.1Safety46.1Health67.6Schools53.2Income90.3Risk90.7Water32.8Weather60.851.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Greene County DNA

Foverall

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

Greene County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (90.7/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (13.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
71.2+19.200000000000003
Cost
13.1-34.9
Safety
46.1-8.899999999999999
Health
67.6+17.599999999999994
Schools
53.2
Income
90.3+39.3
Risk
90.7+43.7
Water
32.8-25.200000000000003
Weather
60.8
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Compare mortgage rates in Greene County

Whether buying or refinancing in Greene County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$343,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,309/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$343,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$52,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $89,808/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.2

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Greene County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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.

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.

Safety in Greene County

via CrimeByCounty

Greene County beats national safety averages

The county's total crime rate of 1,206.9 per 100,000 is almost half the national average of 2,385.5. This earns Greene County a safety score of 98.1, indicating a very secure living environment. Local safety metrics show a strong performance relative to the country at large.

Exceeding Virginia's average safety standards

Greene’s safety score of 98.1 is higher than the Virginia state average of 97.3. The total crime rate of 1,206.9 also remains much lower than the state's average of 1,728.8 per 100,000. These figures confirm that Greene is a safer-than-average community within the Commonwealth.

Regional crime rate comparisons

Greene County’s crime rate of 1,206.9 is slightly higher than Gloucester’s 1,067.6, but remains lower than Halifax’s 1,226.0. It is significantly safer than Hampton city, which sees over 3,000 incidents per 100,000. The county remains a competitive choice for those seeking a low-crime area.

Property crime drives local statistics

Violent crime in Greene is extremely low at 63.0 per 100,000, which is a fraction of the national 369.8 average. Property crime makes up the bulk of reports at 1,143.9 per 100,000 residents. The data suggests that public safety efforts are primarily focused on preventing theft and property damage.

Simple steps for better security

Since property crime is the main concern, simple deterrents like porch lights and locked windows are highly effective. Engaging with the two local reporting agencies helps keep the community informed and vigilant. Taking proactive steps at home helps maintain Greene's high safety standing.

Soil Quality in Greene County

via SoilByCounty

Moderate acidity in the Blue Ridge shadow

Greene County's average soil pH of 5.20 is slightly below the Virginia average of 5.23. Like much of the state, it is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, which influences the types of native plants that thrive here.

Well-balanced silt and clay proportions

The soil is composed of 45.0% sand, 35.9% silt, and 19.1% clay. This relatively high clay and silt combination provides better structure and nutrient-holding capacity than the sandier soils found in eastern Virginia.

Good water capacity despite lower organic matter

Organic matter content stands at 1.57%, trailing the state average of 2.90%. However, the available water capacity of 0.149 in/in is higher than the state average, meaning the soil is efficient at storing moisture for plant use.

Steady moisture levels for consistent growth

The 19.1% clay content helps prevent the soil from drying out too quickly, though specific drainage classes are not provided. This mix typically provides a stable foundation for both agriculture and local building projects.

Thriving gardens in hardiness zone 7b

Greene County's zone 7b is well-suited for blackberries and various fruit trees. With strong water capacity already in place, adding organic amendments will quickly boost your soil's fertility for a bountiful harvest.

Lawn Care in Greene County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Regional Maintenance Hurdles

Greene County presents a tough environment for turf with a lawn difficulty score of 46.3. This Zone 7b county falls nearly 10 points below the state average, requiring diligent care to overcome local soil and climate hurdles.

Cooler Climates Without Heat Stress

Average temperatures sit at a cool 47.5°F, and the area remarkably records zero extreme heat days per year. This lack of heat stress is a major advantage for cool-season grasses, allowing them to remain active longer than in hotter counties.

Managing Clay and Sand Mixes

The soil is quite acidic with a pH of 5.20, falling short of the 6.0 ideal for healthy lawns. A blend of 19.1% clay and 45.0% sand means the soil retains some moisture but still needs regular amendments to balance nutrient availability.

Conserving Water During Record Droughts

Drought resilience is a major concern as the county logged 33 weeks in drought over the past year. With 100% of the area currently abnormally dry, utilizing rain barrels and smart irrigation is essential for maintaining green space.

Best Grasses for Greene County

In this Zone 7b environment, tall fescue or perennial ryegrass provide the best year-round coverage. Since specific frost dates are missing, residents should watch for consistent overnight temperatures above 50°F before starting their spring planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greene County's county score?
Greene County, Virginia has a composite county score of 51.6 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 Greene County rank among counties in Virginia?
Greene County ranks #74 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 Greene County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Greene County is $2,086, with an effective tax rate of 0.61%. This earns Greene County a tax score of 71.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Greene County?
The median household income in Greene County, Virginia is $89,808 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Greene County earns an income score of 90.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Greene County, Virginia a good place to live?
Greene County scores 51.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #74 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Greene 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 Greene County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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