Isle of Wight County

Virginia · VA

#98 in Virginia
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Isle of Wight County, Virginia

Isle of Wight surpasses national median

With a composite score of 66.6, Isle of Wight ranks in the 67th percentile nationally, exceeding the U.S. median of 50.0 by 33%. The Tidewater county delivers solid above-average livability.

Competitive middle ground in Virginia

Isle of Wight's 66.6 score falls 3.7 points below Virginia's state average of 70.3, positioning it squarely in the state's middle tier. The spread reflects balanced strengths and challenges across tax, cost, and income dimensions.

Tax efficiency and solid income

Isle of Wight posts a tax score of 82.0 (0.72% effective rate) and an income score of 46.1 with median household income of $96,118. This combination provides financial breathing room for middle-class households.

Housing costs moderate affordability gains

Despite low taxes, Isle of Wight's cost score of 60.2 reflects median home values of $333,600 and rent at $1,313 monthly. These prices moderate the overall affordability picture relative to income.

Appealing for suburban commuters

Isle of Wight suits suburban professionals and established families with solid incomes seeking rural charm near Hampton Roads employment. First-time homebuyers may find housing entry costs high despite tax advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82Cost60.2SafetyComing SoonHealth75SchoolsComing SoonIncome46.1Risk62.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠60.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼46.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
62.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Isle of Wight County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Cost of Living in Isle of Wight County

via CostByCounty

Isle of Wight Balances Income and Affordability

At 16.4%, Isle of Wight County's rent-to-income ratio sits below Virginia's state average of 18.6%, demonstrating solid affordability for a suburban community. With a median household income of $96,118—29% above the national median—residents have strong earning power to cover housing costs comfortably.

Top Affordability Tier in Virginia

Isle of Wight's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Virginia's most affordable counties, matching Hanover and Highland despite being a suburban rather than rural area. This South Hampton Roads county delivers accessibility without sacrificing suburban amenities and proximity to major employment centers.

Suburban Value in South Hampton Roads

Isle of Wight's median rent of $1,313 falls well below Henrico ($1,474) and Hanover ($1,496), while its $96,118 median income nearly matches Hanover's $109,504. Home values of $333,600 match Henrico's, but the lower rent burden makes Isle of Wight proportionally more affordable.

Affordable Suburban Housing Mix

Isle of Wight renters spend $1,313 monthly—16.4% of a $96,118 median income—leaving comfortable margin for other household needs. Homeowners face $1,588 monthly costs, but with median home values of $333,600 and strong local incomes, owner-occupied housing remains accessible.

Isle of Wight: Suburban Affordability

If you're relocating to the Hampton Roads region, Isle of Wight offers suburban convenience with a 16.4% rent-to-income ratio—genuinely affordable compared to nearby Henrico. The county's strong income base and lower rents make it an excellent choice for families seeking balance between cost and community amenities.

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.

Health in Isle of Wight County

via HealthByCounty

Isle of Wight meets American average health

Isle of Wight's 76.8-year life expectancy tracks close to the U.S. average of 75.5 years, about 1.3 years above. At 16.5% poor/fair health, it runs slightly above national average, suggesting moderate health challenges.

Isle of Wight outpaces Virginia baseline

Isle of Wight's 76.8-year life expectancy exceeds Virginia's state average of 75.1 years by 1.7 years. The 16.5% poor/fair health rate slightly exceeds state trends, reflecting manageable but notable chronic burden.

Middle tier among Richmond-area peers

Isle of Wight's 76.8-year life expectancy falls behind Hanover (77.9) and Henrico (77.2) but ahead of Henry County (70.9). Its 6.2% uninsured rate is competitive with Hanover and better than state average.

Primary care sparse, mental health limited

Isle of Wight has only 41 primary care providers and 69 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the state's lowest densities. At 6.2% uninsured, those with insurance can access what care exists, but availability remains a bottleneck.

Isle of Wight: strengthen your coverage

Though Isle of Wight's 6.2% uninsured rate is solid, provider shortages mean those without insurance face extra barriers. Verify your coverage at healthcare.gov and explore local health centers to overcome access constraints.

Disaster Risk in Isle of Wight County

via RiskByCounty

Isle of Wight Below National Risk Average

At 37.91, Isle of Wight's composite risk score rates as very low and sits moderately below the national average. The county faces some hazard exposure but remains in the safer portion of the national distribution.

Slightly Above Virginia's State Average

Isle of Wight's 37.91 score edges above Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it just into the moderate range for the commonwealth. The county's coastal location accounts for much of its elevation above state baseline.

Mid-Range Risk for Southeastern Virginia

Isle of Wight (37.91) ranks safer than Henry County (63.61) and Hanover (53.50) but carries higher risk than Hopewell City (17.24) in the broader region. Its proximity to the Atlantic makes it riskier than inland peers.

Hurricanes and Floods Drive Local Risk

Hurricane risk dominates at 82.56, unsurprising for this coastal county, while flooding presents secondary concern at 61.80. Wildfire exposure (48.44) also ranks notably high, reflecting the county's mix of developed and forested areas.

Prioritize Hurricane and Flood Insurance

Obtain flood insurance without delay—the county's 61.80 flood score makes this a critical gap in standard coverage for coastal properties. Review your policy's hurricane/wind coverage limits, as coastal exposure demands premium preparation.

ByCounty Network

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