CountyScore

Hanover County

Virginia · VA

#99 in Virginia
67.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Hanover County, Virginia

Hanover outpaces national median

With a composite score of 66.5, Hanover County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. This means Hanover offers better livability than two-thirds of U.S. counties across measured dimensions.

Slightly below Virginia average

Hanover's 66.5 score trails Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking it in the middle-to-lower tier among the state's counties. The 3.8-point gap reflects regional variations in affordability and income within Virginia.

Taxes and income drive the score

Hanover excels with a tax score of 83.4 (effective rate just 0.67%) and a median household income of $109,504, nearly double the national benchmark. These strong fundamentals anchor the county's above-average livability profile.

Housing affordability needs work

With a cost score of just 56.8 and median home values at $372,700, Hanover struggles with housing accessibility relative to local incomes. Rental options average $1,496 monthly, limiting options for budget-conscious households.

For established, higher-income families

Hanover suits professionals and established families with six-figure incomes seeking suburban stability and tax efficiency near Richmond. Budget-constrained or first-time homebuyers may find housing costs prohibitive despite strong income levels.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.4Cost56.8SafetyComing SoonHealth78.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome54.9Risk46.5WaterComing Soon
🏛83.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠56.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼54.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.5
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 Hanover County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

White County
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67.8
Median income: $40,879
Kalawao County
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67.8
Median income: $86,250
Mercer County
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67.8
Median income: $71,710
Chautauqua County
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67.8
Median income: $54,592

Deep Dives

Hanover County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hanover County

via TaxByCounty

Hanover's tax rate tracks national norms

Hanover County's effective tax rate of 0.672% sits just slightly above the national median effective rate of 0.67%, placing it squarely in the middle of the pack nationally. Residents here pay $2,506 annually in median property taxes, modestly below the national median of $2,690 despite owning homes worth considerably more—$372,700 versus $281,900 nationally.

Nearly identical to Virginia's average

Hanover's effective rate of 0.672% virtually matches Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it a textbook example of typical Virginia taxation. However, the county's median tax bill of $2,506 runs 28% higher than the state median of $1,960, reflecting the area's higher home values.

Hanover lighter than Henrico, heavier than Henry

Compared to nearby Henrico County (0.724% rate), Hanover taxes at a lower rate, though Henrico homeowners pay only slightly more per year ($2,416 vs. $2,506). Hanover's rate significantly exceeds nearby Henry County's 0.502%, putting Hanover firmly in the moderate-to-high camp for the region.

Median Hanover home costs $2,506 yearly

A homeowner with Hanover County's median-value property of $372,700 pays approximately $2,506 in annual property taxes. This figure holds relatively steady whether the home carries a mortgage or not, with minimal variation between the two scenarios.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Thousands of Virginia homeowners discover their properties are overassessed during the appeal process each year. If your home's county assessment seems inflated relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, filing an appeal could lower your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hanover County

via CostByCounty

Hanover's Housing Affordability Shines

At 16.4%, Hanover County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national benchmark of unaffordability, meaning residents spend less of their paycheck on housing than most Americans. The county's median household income of $109,504 outpaces the national median by 46%, giving residents substantially more purchasing power for both rental and owner-occupied homes.

Best in Class Across Virginia

Hanover ranks among Virginia's most affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% compared to the state average of 18.6%. This advantage reflects both strong local incomes and relatively moderate housing costs that have stayed in check.

The Richmond Region's Housing Sweet Spot

Hanover's median rent of $1,496 slightly exceeds neighboring Henrico County's $1,474, but Hanover residents earn significantly more—$109,504 vs. $86,397—making housing proportionally cheaper. Compared to James City County further east, Hanover offers lower rents while maintaining similar income advantages and significantly lower home prices ($372,700 vs. $419,200).

Income Covers Housing Comfortably

Hanover renters spend about $1,496 monthly on housing while earning a median of $109,504 annually, leaving ample room for other expenses. Homeowners face slightly higher monthly costs at $1,581, but median home values of $372,700 remain manageable given the county's strong income base.

Relocating to Hanover? Here's Your Edge

If you're comparing moves across Virginia, Hanover offers the rare combination of strong incomes and below-average housing costs—your dollar stretches further here than in nearby urban-adjacent counties. With a 16.4% rent-to-income ratio and $109,504 median household income, Hanover delivers genuine affordability for higher-earning households.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hanover County

via IncomeByCounty

Hanover's income outpaces the nation

Hanover County's median household income of $109,504 towers 46% above the national median of $74,755. This places Hanover among the wealthiest counties in America, reflecting its proximity to Richmond's prosperous suburbs and established professional workforce.

Top earners in Virginia

Hanover ranks among Virginia's highest-income counties, significantly exceeding the state median of $74,957 by $34,547. The county's per capita income of $51,509 also runs 31% higher than Virginia's state average of $39,155.

Outearning surrounding counties

Hanover's $109,504 median household income beats nearby Henrico County ($86,397) and James City County ($107,046), making it a premier destination for high-earning households. The county's prosperity reflects its blend of suburban communities, corporate headquarters, and educated workforce.

Strong income supports local costs

A rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% shows Hanover households spend a manageable share of income on housing, well below the 30% threshold for affordability. With median home values at $372,700 and strong household incomes, residents have solid purchasing power for homeownership.

Build on Hanover's prosperity

With median household incomes exceeding $109,000, Hanover residents are positioned to invest beyond basic expenses—consider diversifying into retirement accounts, real estate, and market investments. Working with a financial advisor can help maximize wealth-building strategies suited to the county's affluent demographic.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hanover County

via HealthByCounty

Hanover lives longer than America

At 77.9 years, Hanover County residents live nearly 2.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 75.5 years. Only 14.4% report poor or fair health, well below the national rate of 17%, signaling a healthier population overall.

Hanover ranks among Virginia's healthiest

Hanover's 77.9-year life expectancy outpaces Virginia's state average of 75.1 years by 2.8 years, placing it in the healthier tier of the commonwealth's counties. The 14.4% poor/fair health rate also beats the state trend.

Healthier than nearby Henrico County

Hanover's 77.9-year life expectancy exceeds neighboring Henrico County's 77.2 years and Isle of Wight's 76.8 years. Hanover's 5.6% uninsured rate is the lowest among these three Richmond-area neighbors.

Primary care available, mental health stronger

Hanover has 73 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a robust 228 mental health providers per 100,000, making behavioral health care notably accessible. Only 5.6% of residents lack health insurance, among Virginia's better rates.

Keep coverage strong in Hanover

With 5.6% uninsured, Hanover is doing well—but that still means roughly 6,000 residents may lack coverage. Explore healthcare.gov or Virginia's Medicaid expansion to ensure you and your family stay protected.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hanover County

via RiskByCounty

Hanover's Risk Sits Above the National Average

With a composite risk score of 53.50, Hanover ranks as relatively low but exceeds the national baseline for natural disaster exposure. This means the county faces measurable hazard threats that warrant preparation, though at a more moderate level than high-risk areas across the country.

Above Average Risk for Virginia

Hanover's score of 53.50 significantly outpaces Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it in the upper tier of risk among Virginia counties. The county's exposure is driven by multiple hazard types rather than a single dominant threat.

Riskier Than Most Nearby Counties

Hanover faces notably higher risk than Harrisonburg (26.59) and Hopewell (17.24) to the south and west, but carries less exposure than Henrico County (83.40) just to the east. Among central Virginia counties, Hanover occupies a middle-to-upper position in the risk spectrum.

Earthquakes and Hurricanes Top Your Threats

Earthquake risk dominates at 83.78—among the highest in the state—while hurricane exposure stands at 74.89, reflecting Hanover's position on the Atlantic seaboard. Flooding also poses significant concern at 61.55, particularly in low-lying areas near the James River and its tributaries.

Secure Earthquake and Flood Coverage Now

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake and flood damage, yet both threaten Hanover properties substantially. Obtain separate earthquake and flood insurance today to close these critical coverage gaps before the next major event.

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.