countyscore
56.9
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 82.2Property Tax 75.7

County Report Card

About Greensville County, Virginia

Exceeding National Expectations

Greensville County earns a 56.9 composite score, outperforming the national median of 50.0. It provides a better-than-average baseline for living standards in the U.S.

Beating the Virginia Average

With a 56.9 score, Greensville sits above the Virginia average of 50.9. The county maintains a strong position by offering a unique mix of utility quality and low taxes.

Superior Utilities and Safety

The county earns high marks for its water score of 86.0 and an environmental risk score of 82.2. A tax score of 75.7 also helps residents keep more of their earnings through a low 0.588% tax rate.

Income and Health Gaps

Economic growth is a focal point, as the income score sits at 29.7 and the health score at 39.7. While school data is currently unavailable, these other metrics suggest a need for broader community health initiatives.

A Resilient, Low-Tax Community

Greensville is an excellent choice for individuals who prioritize environmental safety and reliable utilities. It offers a very stable home base with an accessible $159,200 median home value.

2040608010075.747.16139.729.782.28668.8Tax75.7Cost47.1Safety61Health39.7Schools—Income29.7Risk82.2Water86Weather68.856.9/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Greensville County DNA

Foverall

How Greensville County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Greensville County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (82.2/100) but notably weak in Income (29.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
75.7+23.700000000000003
Cost
47.1
Safety
61
Health
39.7-10.299999999999997
Income
29.7-21.3
Risk
82.2+35.2
Water
86+28
Weather
68.8+12.799999999999997
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$159,200

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$960/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$159,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,759/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

44.2

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

Emporia city
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41
Brunswick County
Virginia
55.5
Sussex County
Virginia
49.8
Northampton County
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Southampton County
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Dinwiddie County
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Halifax County
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Deep Dives

Greensville County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Greensville County

via TaxByCounty

Greensville County taxes run well below national norms

Greensville County's effective rate of 0.588% falls comfortably below the national median of 0.80%, placing it in the lowest quartile of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $936 is just 35% of the national median of $2,690.

Among Virginia's most tax-favorable counties

Greensville County's 0.588% effective rate ranks in the lowest 15% of Virginia's 95 counties and cities, beating the state average of 0.671%. At $936 in median taxes, residents pay less than half Virginia's statewide median of $1,960.

Lowest rate in its rural region

Greensville County's 0.588% rate undercuts nearby Halifax County (0.490% is even lower, but on much cheaper homes) and far exceeds Hampton city's 0.965%. On comparable home values, Greensville offers better value than most Southside Virginia neighbors.

Median home of $159,200 costs $936 annually

Greensville County homeowners with a median-valued $159,200 property pay approximately $936 in yearly property taxes. Whether financed ($987) or owned outright ($905), the effective burden remains light.

Check your assessment—overages are common

Even in Greensville County's low-tax environment, properties occasionally get assessed above fair market value without the owner knowing. A property tax appeal can verify your assessment and potentially trim your $936 annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Greensville County

via CostByCounty

Greensville struggles above state average

Greensville County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6%, despite a median household income of $56,759 that's 24% below the national average. Low wages combined with moderate-to-high rents create affordability pressure for this southside Virginia county.

Below-average income, above-average strain

Greensville ranks in the bottom 30% of Virginia counties for affordability, with its 20.3% rent-to-income ratio placing it among the state's most stressed housing markets. The $960 monthly median rent runs 16% above the state average, reflecting regional housing dynamics unmatched by local wage growth.

Costly for a rural county

Greensville's $960 rent exceeds rural Giles by $180 monthly and Grayson by $248, yet household incomes trail both counties' earnings. Halifax County to the east offers slightly cheaper rent at $769 with comparable incomes, making it a better affordability choice for this region.

Housing takes significant budget share

Renters dedicate 20.3% of their $56,759 annual income to a $960 monthly apartment, while homebuyers pay $753 on a median home value of $159,200. Housing costs consume roughly 27% of household earnings, creating tight monthly budgets in Greensville.

Consider Halifax or Giles first

Greensville's housing costs outpace regional norms without matching income levels, making it a riskier relocation choice than nearby alternatives. Compare it to Halifax County—similar income, cheaper rent—or explore Giles County if you value stronger affordability margins.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Greensville County

via IncomeByCounty

Greensville faces substantial income gap

Greensville County's median household income of $56,759 is 24% below the national median of $74,755, indicating below-average earning capacity. Per capita income of $23,125 is significantly lower than national norms, reflecting limited economic opportunity. Greensville ranks in the nation's lower income quartile.

Among Virginia's lower-income counties

Greensville County's median household income of $56,759 trails Virginia's state average of $74,957 by $18,000—a substantial 24% gap. Per capita income of $23,125 severely underperforms Virginia's $39,155 average, suggesting limited earning opportunities and economic activity. Greensville ranks among the state's weaker-performing communities.

Lower income despite regional variation

Greensville's $56,759 median income outpaces only Halifax County ($49,244) and Grayson County ($42,864) among regional peers, placing it solidly in the lower tier. Compared to wealthier neighbors like Goochland ($118,695) or Gloucester ($83,689), Greensville residents earn substantially less. The county faces genuine economic disadvantages.

Housing costs strain limited resources

Greensville's rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% means one-fifth of household income goes to rent—uncomfortably high for lower-income households. Median home values of $159,200 require significant effort to achieve for average earners, limiting homeownership accessibility. Housing represents a substantial budget burden here.

Build financial resilience systematically

Greensville residents should prioritize establishing emergency savings of at least three months' expenses before investing, given lower incomes and tighter margins. Explore free financial counseling through nonprofits and community organizations to maximize limited resources. Even small, consistent contributions to retirement accounts compound meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Greensville County

via CrimeByCounty

Greensville County shows low total crime

Greensville reports a total crime rate of 896.8 per 100,000, significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance results in a high safety score of 98.6 out of 100. The county stands out as one of the least active areas for crime in this data set.

A safety leader in Virginia

The county's safety score of 98.6 sits well above the state average of 97.3. Its total crime rate is nearly half of the Virginia state average of 1,728.8 per 100,000. Greensville is consistently among the top tier of Virginia counties for low overall crime activity.

Lowest crime rate among regional peers

At 896.8 per 100,000, Greensville has a lower total crime rate than neighboring Goochland (915.5) and Grayson (957.3). It is notably quieter than Hanover County, which has a rate of 1,293.1. This data highlights Greensville as a regional leader in overall safety.

Violent crime vs property crime

The violent crime rate is 211.0 per 100,000, which is higher than some neighbors but still below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is exceptionally low at 685.8 per 100,000 residents. This mix suggests that while total incidents are few, a higher proportion involve person-to-person reports compared to neighboring counties.

Keep your home and community safe

Maintaining visibility and locking all entry points helps keep property crime numbers low. Residents are encouraged to stay connected with the two reporting agencies that monitor the county. Community awareness remains the best defense against any local safety challenges.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Disaster Risk in Greensville County

via RiskByCounty

Greensville County maintains very low risk

Greensville County's composite risk score of 17.78 places it in the "Very Low" category and well below national averages. This southern Virginia county benefits from inland location and distance from major seismic zones.

Lower-risk than Virginia overall

At 17.78, Greensville County scores less than half Virginia's state average of 33.27, ranking among the commonwealth's protected counties. Its southern piedmont geography provides natural hazard buffering.

Safest in surrounding region

Greensville County's 17.78 beats neighboring Halifax County (47.01) by nearly 30 points, establishing it as the region's safest location. This difference reflects coastal hurricane exposure that affects Halifax more substantially.

Hurricanes pose the greatest threat

Hurricane risk (79.31) stands out as Greensville County's primary concern, followed by earthquake risk (40.84) and tornado risk (19.88). Flood (16.19) and wildfire (12.25) risks both remain quite low.

Hurricane preparedness and standard insurance key

Greensville County homeowners should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance and prepare evacuation plans during hurricane season. While hurricane risk is elevated relative to other county hazards, overall risk remains manageable for most properties.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Greensville County

via WaterByCounty

Perfect Compliance in Greensville County

Greensville County maintains an "A" grade for drinking water compliance, reporting zero health violations over the last five years. This record is exemplary compared to the Virginia state average violation rate of 126.9 per 100,000 residents. The local water systems are consistently meeting all federal health and safety standards.

Watershed Challenges from Mercury and E. Coli

Nearly 45% of assessed water bodies in Greensville County fail to meet Clean Water Act standards as of 2022. This impairment rate is slightly better than the statewide average of 46.1%. Mercury in fish tissue, E. coli, and low dissolved oxygen are the primary factors degrading local water quality.

Monitoring Presence Across 15 Sites

There are 15 active monitoring sites in the county that have contributed 1,006 water quality measurements over the past five years. Researchers focus on physical characteristics, nutrient loads, and microbiological indicators. This data provides a baseline for understanding how local runoff affects watershed health.

Limited Live Data for Local Streams

There is currently no representative USGS streamgage in Greensville County providing live flow data for federal tracking. Without real-time discharge signals, water managers rely on the county's strong compliance history and static watershed data. This information remains the best available signal for assessing current environmental conditions.

Maintaining Safety in Local Waters

While drinking water compliance is excellent, residents should remain aware of mercury and E. coli in nearly half of the local watersheds. It is wise to follow local fish consumption advisories and minimize runoff from private properties. Continued support for watershed protection will help preserve the county's strong public water record.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Soil Quality in Greensville County

via SoilByCounty

Highly acidic soils of the southern border

Greensville County features an average soil pH of 5.10, making it one of the more acidic areas in Virginia. This falls below the state average of 5.23 and is well under the national median of 6.5, requiring careful management for most crops.

Sandy soil with significant clay presence

The soil is 54.2% sand and 17.7% clay, a combination that offers decent drainage alongside some mineral retention. The 27.3% silt content helps round out the texture, providing a workable surface for local farmers.

Lower fertility scores require extra care

With only 1.22% organic matter, these soils are below the state average of 2.90%. The available water capacity of 0.132 in/in is also slightly lower than the state benchmark, leading to a modest overall soil score of 11.7.

Moderate drainage in the coastal plain

The balanced sand and clay levels suggest that while water drains reasonably well, it does not disappear instantly. This profile is common in the region's agricultural fields, where drainage is key for preventing crop rot.

Southern staples thrive in zone 7b

Greensville County is famous for peanuts and cotton, which handle these soil conditions well. For home gardeners, adding lime and compost is the secret to unlocking the potential of this southern Virginia ground.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Greensville County

via LawnByCounty

Greensville's Demanding Growing Environment

Greensville County has a lawn difficulty score of 47.1, reflecting a more demanding environment than most of Virginia. Homeowners in this Zone 7b region must navigate intense summer heat and significant drought pressure to keep grass healthy.

Beating the 42-Day Heatwave

Lawns face a harsh 42 extreme heat days annually, which is 14 days more than the state average. While 46.2 inches of rain provides some relief, the high temperatures often lead to rapid moisture loss and summer turf dormancy.

Strong Acidity in Sandy Soil

The local soil is the most acidic in the group with a pH of 5.10, requiring significant lime to reach the 6.0 threshold. A sand content of 54.2% facilitates drainage but may require more frequent fertilization due to low nutrient retention.

Severe Drought Requires Smart Irrigation

Current conditions are severe, with 56.9% of the area in a D2+ drought stage after 17 weeks of dry weather last year. During these times, it is best to stop fertilizing and allow the lawn to go dormant to protect the root crown.

Select Heat-Tolerant Grass Types

Warm-season grasses like Zoysia or Bermudagrass are best suited to handle the 42 days of extreme heat. Although local frost dates are unavailable, the warm 59.7°F average annual temperature provides a long window for these species to establish.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greensville County's county score?
Greensville County, Virginia has a composite county score of 56.9 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 Greensville County rank among counties in Virginia?
Greensville County ranks #39 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 Greensville County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Greensville County is $936, with an effective tax rate of 0.59%. This earns Greensville County a tax score of 75.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Greensville County?
The median household income in Greensville County, Virginia is $56,759 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Greensville County earns an income score of 29.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Greensville County, Virginia a good place to live?
Greensville County scores 56.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #39 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Greensville 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 Greensville County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.