countyscore
47.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 93Health 73.9Weather & Climate 70.7

County Report Card

About Isle of Wight County, Virginia

Near the National Median

Isle of Wight County earns a 48.1 composite score, placing it just slightly below the national median of 50.0. It offers a quality of life that is competitive with many typical U.S. counties.

Close to the Virginia Average

The county's score of 48.1 is nearly on par with the Virginia state average of 50.9. It provides a standard Virginian lifestyle with strong local economic indicators.

A High-Income Powerhouse

The county shines with an income score of 94.3, supported by a $96,118 median household income. Health outcomes are also strong, earning a score of 73.9.

Housing and Water Quality Issues

Water quality is a significant concern with a score of 3.0, and high home values lead to a low cost score of 9.3. Median home values stay elevated at $333,600.

Best for High-Earning Commuters

This county is ideal for professionals seeking high salaries and good healthcare in a suburban setting. Buyers should be prepared for high real estate costs and may want to invest in water filtration.

20406080100609.349.273.944.99362.1370.7Tax60Cost9.3Safety49.2Health73.9Schools44.9Income93Risk62.1Water3Weather70.747.9/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Isle of Wight County DNA

Foverall

How Isle of Wight County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Isle of Wight County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (93/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
60+8
Cost
9.3-38.7
Safety
49.2
Health
73.9+23.900000000000006
Schools
44.9-9.100000000000001
Income
93+42
Risk
62.1+15.100000000000001
Water
3-55
Weather
70.7+14.700000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Isle of Wight County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$356,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,359/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$356,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$54,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $95,241/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.1

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Isle of Wight County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Isle of Wight County

via TaxByCounty

Isle of Wight moderately above national norm

Isle of Wight County's effective tax rate of 0.719% runs about 7% above the national median of 0.67%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. Homeowners pay $2,399 annually on a median home value of $333,600, roughly matching the national median home price.

Isle of Wight above Virginia's average

Isle of Wight's 0.719% effective rate exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671%, positioning it among the state's higher-tax counties. The median tax bill of $2,399 runs 22% above the state median of $1,960, reflecting both the elevated rate and strong property values.

Isle of Wight comparable to Henrico

Isle of Wight's 0.719% rate runs nearly identical to Henrico County's 0.724%, with both counties' residents paying roughly $2,400 annually. Both significantly outpace lower-tax areas like Henry County (0.502%) and are considerably lighter than Hopewell (0.969%).

Median Isle of Wight home costs $2,399

Isle of Wight homeowners with the median property value of $333,600 pay approximately $2,399 in annual taxes. Interestingly, mortgaged homes face notably higher taxes ($2,522) than unmortgaged properties ($2,090), a 20% difference suggesting targeted assessment variations by ownership type.

Review your assessment for savings

Isle of Wight homeowners should verify that their property assessments reflect current market values in their neighborhoods. Filing an appeal is straightforward and can result in material tax reductions if your home is overvalued.

Income & Jobs in Isle of Wight County

via IncomeByCounty

Isle of Wight's strong income above national

Isle of Wight County's median household income of $96,118 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 29%, placing the county among America's upper-income communities. The county's economy benefits from its location near Hampton Roads naval and commercial activity.

Isle of Wight outperforms Virginia average

At $96,118, Isle of Wight's median household income runs $21,161 above Virginia's state average of $74,957. Per capita income of $47,674 exceeds the state average of $39,155 by 22%, reflecting strong household earnings.

Upper-tier earner in Virginia comparison

Isle of Wight's $96,118 median income ranks below Hanover County ($109,504) and James City County ($107,046), but significantly exceeds Henrico County ($86,397) and all lower-income counties. The county represents a prosperous suburban-rural blend near major economic centers.

Housing remains well-aligned with income

Isle of Wight's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% indicates excellent housing affordability, with median home values of $333,600 well-supported by strong household incomes. Residents have stable footing for homeownership and wealth building through property equity.

Expand wealth through strategic investing

Isle of Wight households with $96,000+ incomes should maximize retirement contributions and explore diversified investment portfolios to build generational wealth. Consider real estate investment and education funding alongside traditional retirement vehicles.

Safety in Isle of Wight County

via CrimeByCounty

Isle of Wight Boasts High Safety

Isle of Wight County features an excellent safety score of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 1141.4 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2385.5.

A Leader in Statewide Safety Rankings

The county's safety score of 98.2 outperforms the Virginia state average of 97.3. At 1141.4 per 100K, the total crime rate is significantly lower than the state average of 1728.8.

Consistency Across Four Reporting Agencies

Four agencies contribute to the county's low 1141.4 total crime rate. This collaborative reporting ensures a comprehensive and reassuring look at regional safety.

Strong Performance Across All Categories

Violent crime is low at 215.9 per 100K, beating the state average of 229.7. Property crime is also impressively low at 925.5, compared to the national rate of 2015.7.

Preserving Your County's Quiet Atmosphere

With property crime below 1,000 incidents per 100K, the risk to your home is relatively low. Use smart locks and alarms to help maintain this high 98.2 safety score.

Soil Quality in Isle of Wight County

via SoilByCounty

Young Entisols of Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight County features Entisols, which are relatively young soils with an acidic pH of 4.79. This is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5 and even sits below the Virginia state average of 5.23. These soils are often found in areas where sediment is still actively being deposited or moved.

Sandy soil for easy cultivation

The soil contains 57.0% sand and 22.9% silt, creating a light, sandy texture. With only 12.4% clay, these soils are easy to cultivate but may lose moisture and nutrients rapidly without intervention. It is a classic coastal plain composition that farmers have utilized for generations.

High organic matter and water needs

Organic matter is a bright spot at 3.32%, outperforming the Virginia average of 2.90%. However, the available water capacity of 0.114 in/in is below the state average of 0.143, indicating a need for careful irrigation. The high organic content helps, but the sandy structure still struggles to hold water.

Rapid drainage for specialized crops

As Entisols with high sand content, these soils typically offer rapid drainage and belong to responsive hydrologic groups. This makes the county's land well-suited for specialized crops that dislike saturated roots. Builders also find these conditions favorable for projects that require well-drained foundations.

Peanuts and cotton in zone 8a

Located in zone 8a, this county is ideal for peanuts and cotton, which thrive in sandy soil and long summers. Your garden will benefit from the naturally high organic matter, especially if you plant heat-tolerant varieties. Start your planting early to take full advantage of the long growing season.

Lawn Care in Isle of Wight County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Lawn Hurdles in Isle of Wight

With a lawn difficulty score of 45.3, Isle of Wight County is one of the more challenging places in Virginia to maintain a lawn. Hardiness Zone 8a suggests a coastal influence that brings heat and specific soil needs. You will need to be more proactive with soil amendments and watering than neighbors to the north.

Subtropical Heat and Heavy Rain

The county receives nearly 50 inches of rain per year, providing a strong base for lawn hydration. However, the 37 extreme heat days can quickly dry out the surface and stress cool-season grasses. Your grass must be tough enough to handle an average July temperature of 78.5°F.

Liming for Highly Acidic Soil

The soil pH here is 4.79, making it some of the most acidic in the state and very difficult for standard turf. With 57.0% sand, your soil drains quickly but requires frequent nutrient replenishment as they leach away. Significant lime applications are a non-negotiable part of your annual lawn care routine.

Watching for Dry Coastal Spells

Isle of Wight has experienced 10 weeks of drought in the past year, and 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry. Sandy soils lose moisture rapidly, so your lawn may show signs of stress sooner than inland areas during dry weeks. Consistent irrigation during these periods is vital to keep roots from drying out in the sand.

Best Grasses for Zone 8a

Warm-season grasses like St. Augustine or Bermuda are the best performers in this coastal environment. These species thrive in the 8a hardiness zone and better tolerate the high soil acidity and sandy conditions. Focus on establishing these grasses in late spring as temperatures consistently rise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isle of Wight County's county score?
Isle of Wight County, Virginia has a composite county score of 47.9 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 Isle of Wight County rank among counties in Virginia?
Isle of Wight County ranks #89 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 Isle of Wight County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Isle of Wight County is $2,510, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns Isle of Wight County a tax score of 60/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Isle of Wight County?
The median household income in Isle of Wight County, Virginia is $95,241 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Isle of Wight County earns an income score of 93/100 on CountyScore.
Is Isle of Wight County, Virginia a good place to live?
Isle of Wight County scores 47.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #89 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Isle of Wight 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 Isle of Wight 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.