countyscore
31.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 82.8Weather & Climate 62.4Lawn Care 52.5

County Report Card

About Hopewell city, Virginia

Facing Significant National Headwinds

Hopewell city carries a composite score of 29.8, which is well below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects deep-seated challenges across multiple livability dimensions.

Below the Virginia Average

Hopewell's 29.8 score trails the Virginia average of 50.9 by a wide margin. It represents an area of the state that requires more investment in health and economic opportunity.

Protected from Environmental Disasters

The city's strongest suit is its environmental risk score of 82.8, indicating high resilience to natural hazards. Residents enjoy a high level of geographic stability compared to other regions.

Economic and Safety Struggles

Income and safety are major hurdles, with scores of 12.2 and 12.8 respectively. The effective tax rate is high at 0.969%, while health outcomes remain low at 26.3.

Suited for Those Prioritizing Risk Resilience

Hopewell is best for residents who value living in a disaster-resistant area and want a small-city feel. Growth in local safety and health services would greatly enhance its future appeal.

2040608010045.930.212.826.335.320.882.862.4Tax45.9Cost30.2Safety12.8Health26.3Schools35.3Income20.8Risk82.8WaterWeather62.431.9/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Hopewell city DNA

Foverall

How Hopewell city compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Hopewell city falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (12.8/100), though Disaster Risk (82.8/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
45.9
Cost
30.2-17.8
Safety
12.8-42.2
Health
26.3-23.7
Schools
35.3-18.700000000000003
Income
20.8-30.2
Risk
82.8+35.8
Weather
62.4
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Compare mortgage rates in Hopewell city

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$181,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,106/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$181,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $54,729/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Hopewell city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hopewell city

via TaxByCounty

Hopewell taxes among nation's heaviest

Hopewell city's effective tax rate of 0.969% ranks in the top 10% of American jurisdictions for property tax burden, far exceeding the national median of 0.67%. Residents pay $1,600 annually on a median home valued at $165,100, a rate that reflects significant fiscal pressure on this industrial city.

Hopewell has Virginia's steepest rate

Hopewell's 0.969% effective rate towers over Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it by far the highest-taxing jurisdiction among the eight examined here. The city's median tax of $1,600 exceeds the state median of $1,960 in percentage terms despite lower absolute home values, illustrating the rate's severity.

Hopewell's burden far exceeds all peers

Hopewell's 0.969% rate is nearly 34% higher than Harrisonburg (0.781%), the second-highest in this cohort, and nearly twice Henry County's 0.502%. This dramatic difference reflects Hopewell's unique fiscal challenges as an independent city with a smaller tax base.

Hopewell residents pay $1,600 yearly

A homeowner with Hopewell's median property value of $165,100 faces an annual tax bill of approximately $1,600. Tax liability is similar for mortgaged ($1,615) and unmortgaged ($1,564) properties, indicating uniform assessment practices.

Appeal your assessment to reduce burden

Given Hopewell's exceptionally high tax rate, homeowners should carefully verify their property assessments and seriously consider filing an appeal. Even modest assessment reductions can generate meaningful savings when applied to such a steep rate.

Income & Jobs in Hopewell city

via IncomeByCounty

Hopewell's income well below national median

Hopewell's median household income of $48,681 sits 35% below the national median of $74,755, marking the city among America's lower-income urban centers. The city's post-industrial economy reflects decline in manufacturing and limited recovery.

Hopewell significantly trails Virginia

Hopewell's $48,681 median household income falls $26,276 short of Virginia's $74,957 state average—a 35% gap. Per capita income of $26,626 lags the state average of $39,155 by 32%, among the lowest in the state.

Lowest-income city in regional comparison

Hopewell's $48,681 income ranks at the bottom among comparable Virginia localities, matching Henry County ($48,445) and significantly trailing Highland County ($62,946). The city faces economic headwinds from its post-industrial transition and limited wage recovery.

Housing costs challenge household budgets

Hopewell's rent-to-income ratio of 26.8% indicates significant housing affordability strain, approaching the 30% threshold that signals budget pressure. Median home values of $165,100 remain relatively modest but consume a larger share of limited household income.

Build resilience through disciplined savings

Hopewell residents should prioritize emergency funds and debt reduction given tighter budget margins, then gradually establish automated retirement contributions. Community resources and workforce development programs may offer pathways to higher-earning employment opportunities.

Safety in Hopewell city

via CrimeByCounty

Hopewell Safety Compared to National Benchmarks

Hopewell's total crime rate of 2547.0 per 100K is higher than the national average of 2385.5. However, the city still maintains a safety score of 96.0.

Urban Challenges in the Tri-Cities Area

The city's safety score of 96.0 is lower than the Virginia average of 97.3. Its total crime rate of 2547.0 significantly exceeds the state average of 1728.8.

Concentrated Activity in a Single Agency

Because a single agency reports for Hopewell, these figures should be interpreted with caution. The total crime rate of 2547.0 reflects a higher density of incidents than many of its rural neighbors.

High Violent Crime Rates Reported

Hopewell reports a violent crime rate of 546.7 per 100K, which is more than double the Virginia average of 229.7. Property crime accounts for 2000.3 incidents per 100K.

Enhancing Safety for Hopewell Residents

With violent crime rates at 546.7, community awareness and home security are critical. Residents should stay informed about local police initiatives to help improve the city's 96.0 safety score.

Weather & Climate in Hopewell city

via WeatherByCounty

Hopewell is One of the Region's Warmest Spots

Hopewell’s average annual temperature of 60.8°F is significantly higher than the national median. It also experiences high humidity with 50.1 inches of annual rain.

Way Above the Virginia Average

The city sits 4.9 degrees above the Virginia average temperature of 55.9°F. It is also significantly wetter than the state average of 45.7 inches.

Hotter and Wetter Than Its Neighbors

Hopewell is nearly two degrees warmer than neighboring King and Queen County. It also records more extreme heat days than any other nearby municipality.

Intense Summer Heat and Very Little Snow

Hopewell endures 55 days of extreme heat each year, with July averaging 80.1°F. Conversely, it receives only 3.5 inches of snowfall annually.

Focus on Cooling and Flood Prevention

With 55 days above 90°F, high-capacity air conditioning is a primary household need. Residents should also prepare for high rainfall totals of 50.1 inches per year.

Lawn Care in Hopewell city

via LawnByCounty

Warm-Season Success in Hopewell

Hopewell city has a lawn difficulty score of 52.5, which is slightly below the state average but still above the national median. The city experiences much warmer average temperatures (60.8°F) than the rest of the state. This creates a high-energy environment for grass growth but increases the risk of heat-related stress.

Intense Heat and High Precipitation

Hopewell endures 55 extreme heat days annually, nearly double the state average of 28. Fortunately, you receive a generous 50.1 inches of rain per year to help keep turf hydrated. With a high count of 4945 growing degree days, your grass will grow very quickly and require frequent mowing.

Prioritizing Soil Health Tests

Soil-specific data for the city is limited, making individual soil testing critical for your lawn's success. High heat can accelerate the breakdown of organic matter, so you may need to supplement your soil more often than in cooler regions. Understanding your local pH will help you manage the nutrient demands of such a long growing season.

Managing Low Drought Frequency

Hopewell has only seen three weeks of drought over the last year, providing a relatively stable environment for turf. However, 100% of the city is currently abnormally dry, so don't let your guard down. Deep watering is especially important here to help roots reach cooler soil depths away from the 55 days of extreme heat.

Taking Advantage of Early Spring

The long growing season begins early with the last frost typically occurring on March 31. Warm-season grasses like Zoysia or Bermuda are excellent choices to handle the intense summer heat of 55 days above 90 degrees. If you seed or sod, you have until the first frost on November 6 to get your lawn established.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hopewell city's county score?
Hopewell city, Virginia has a composite county score of 31.9 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 Hopewell city rank among counties in Virginia?
Hopewell city ranks #127 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 Hopewell city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Hopewell city is $1,564, with an effective tax rate of 0.86%. This earns Hopewell city a tax score of 45.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hopewell city?
The median household income in Hopewell city, Virginia is $54,729 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hopewell city earns an income score of 20.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hopewell city, Virginia a good place to live?
Hopewell city scores 31.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #127 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Hopewell city 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 Hopewell city 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.