King and Queen County

Virginia · VA

#50 in Virginia
72.4
County Score

County Report Card

About King and Queen County, Virginia

Well above the national livability bar

King and Queen's composite score of 73.7 towers 47% above the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper half of counties nationwide. This strong overall performance reflects a county that delivers on core livability metrics across multiple dimensions.

Third best in Virginia's livability rankings

King and Queen ranks third among Virginia counties with a score of 73.7, edging above the state average of 70.3. The county joins a select group of high-performing regions in the Commonwealth.

Tax efficiency and affordable housing stand out

King and Queen excels with an outstanding tax score of 87.5 and an effective tax rate of just 0.523%, the lowest among peers. The cost score of 74.1 reflects a median home value of $240,900 and rent at $982/month—genuinely affordable by regional standards.

Income growth remains a constraint

The income score of 30.9 reveals median household income of $72,851, well below state averages and limiting earnings potential for residents. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet available, leaving some livability dimensions unmeasured.

Ideal for budget-conscious established residents

King and Queen suits retirees, established professionals, and families prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high earning potential. The county delivers strong financial value and a stable community environment for those with modest income needs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.5Cost74.1SafetyComing SoonHealth65.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.9Risk83.8WaterComing Soon
🏛87.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠74.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼30.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
83.8
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

King and Queen County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in King and Queen County

via TaxByCounty

King and Queen taxes well below national average

King and Queen County's effective tax rate of 0.523% is less than half the national median property tax of $2,690, making it among the most affordable counties in America. At just $1,261 annually on the median home, residents here pay 53% less in property taxes than the typical American household.

Virginia's most tax-friendly county

King and Queen County has the lowest effective tax rate in Virginia at 0.523%, well below the state average of 0.671%. Residents pay just $1,261 in median property taxes compared to the state median of $1,960.

The cheapest option in the region

King and Queen County undercuts its Tidewater neighbors significantly: Lancaster County at 0.490% and King George at 0.561% are the only competitors, but King and Queen offers the best overall value for homeowners. Compared to Loudoun County's 0.882% rate, King and Queen saves residents thousands annually.

What $240,900 home costs yearly

On the median home valued at $240,900, King and Queen County homeowners pay approximately $1,261 per year in property taxes. This translates to about $105 monthly—one of the lowest burdens in the state.

Check if your assessment is fair

Even in tax-friendly King and Queen County, many homeowners are overassessed and don't realize they can appeal their property valuations. A professional assessment review could potentially lower your tax bill further.

Cost of Living in King and Queen County

via CostByCounty

King and Queen's housing deals better than most

At 16.2%, King and Queen County's rent-to-income ratio beats the national average and sits well below what most American renters experience. Residents here spend less of their paychecks on rent than the typical U.S. household, making housing more affordable than the national norm.

Affordable housing oasis in Virginia

King and Queen County ranks among Virginia's most affordable places, with a rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% compared to the state average of 18.6%. This rural county offers a genuine relief to renters compared to pricier regions across the state.

Competitive rents in the rural tier

King and Queen's median rent of $982 sits slightly below nearby Lancaster County ($978) and well below King William County ($1,246). Among these rural neighbors, King and Queen offers middle-ground pricing with strong income levels at $72,851.

Renters and owners share affordability

Renters pay $982 monthly while homeowners spend $1,083, and with median household income at $72,851, housing consumes a manageable 16.2% of income. Median home values of $240,900 keep ownership within reach for middle-income families.

Consider King and Queen's rural appeal

If you're weighing rural Virginia options, King and Queen delivers affordable rents and competitive home prices with an above-average household income of $72,851. Compare these numbers to nearby King William or Lancaster to find your ideal balance of affordability and community size.

Income & Jobs in King and Queen County

via IncomeByCounty

King and Queen's income near national average

With a median household income of $72,851, King and Queen County sits just slightly below the national median of $74,755. This positions the county competitively against most American counties, though it trails Virginia's state average of $74,957 by a narrow margin.

Middle-tier income ranking in Virginia

King and Queen County ranks in the middle of Virginia's 95 counties and independent cities for household income. The county's $72,851 median falls below the state average, reflecting regional economic patterns common to rural eastern Virginia.

Modest incomes in rural eastern corridor

King and Queen's median household income of $72,851 trails wealthier neighboring King William County ($85,212) and King George County ($110,517), but exceeds Lancaster County ($67,169). The county sits within a cluster of rural Tidewater communities with varied economic profiles.

Affordable housing with healthy rent ratio

At 16.2%, King and Queen's rent-to-income ratio comfortably falls below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs remain manageable for most households. The median home value of $240,900 is accessible relative to local incomes, supporting long-term wealth building through homeownership.

Build savings and invest for the future

King and Queen residents earning near the median can capitalize on affordable housing to direct extra income toward retirement accounts and investment portfolios. Starting early with automatic contributions to 401(k)s or IRAs at 3-5% of income can compound significantly over decades.

Health in King and Queen County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap with the nation

At 73.7 years, King and Queen County residents live about 4.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.2 years. The county's poor or fair health rate of 21.2% is significantly higher than the national average of 16%, signaling persistent health challenges.

Below Virginia's health baseline

King and Queen's 73.7-year life expectancy trails Virginia's state average of 75.1 years by 1.4 years. The county ranks among Virginia's lower-performing regions in life expectancy, reflecting broader health disparities in rural areas.

Among the region's least healthy

King and Queen's 21.2% poor/fair health rate ranks it alongside Lee County as one of the region's least healthy communities. Neighboring King William County (17.6%) and King George County (15.8%) both report better health outcomes, showing variability even among adjacent counties.

Healthcare access remains stretched

With 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an uninsured rate of 9.5%—higher than Virginia's 7.9% average—many residents face barriers to care. Mental health provider data is limited, but existing primary care capacity suggests longer wait times for routine care.

Explore your coverage options now

Nearly 1 in 10 King and Queen residents lack health insurance, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected medical costs. Visit Healthcare.gov or Virginia's insurance marketplace to compare plans and find subsidies you may qualify for.

Disaster Risk in King and Queen County

via RiskByCounty

King and Queen: Well Below National Risk

With a composite risk score of 16.19 and a Very Low rating, King and Queen County sits comfortably below the national disaster risk average. This means your county faces significantly fewer natural hazard threats than most American counties.

Middle of the Pack in Virginia

King and Queen's score of 16.19 places it well below Virginia's state average of 33.27, indicating lower exposure than many neighboring Virginia counties. Your county is one of the safer regions in the state for natural disaster risk.

Lower Risk Than Most Neighbors

Compared to adjacent counties like Lancaster (32.28) and Louisa (32.19), King and Queen carries notably less risk. Your county's 16.19 score reflects safer conditions than these nearby regions.

Hurricane and Flood Risk Lead

King and Queen faces its highest hazard exposure from hurricanes (68.42) and flooding (51.60), both elevated for the county despite its overall low composite risk. Earthquake risk registers at 34.35, while tornadoes and wildfires remain minimal threats at 19.12 and 17.56 respectively.

Prioritize Hurricane and Flood Coverage

Given your county's elevated hurricane and flood exposure, ensure your homeowners insurance includes flood coverage—standard policies don't. Review your hurricane preparedness and consider coverage limits that reflect the value of your property in an extreme weather event.

ByCounty Network

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