CountyScore

Lee County

Virginia · VA

#58 in Virginia
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Lee County, Virginia

Exceptional value in spite of income challenges

Lee's composite score of 78.1 ranks 56% above the national median of 50.0, earning it among the nation's most livable counties. This top-tier ranking emerges from extraordinary affordability despite economic constraints.

Virginia's most livable county overall

Lee leads all Virginia counties with a composite score of 78.1, substantially outpacing the state average of 70.3. The county represents the Commonwealth's gold standard for livability.

Unmatched affordability defines the county

Lee boasts a phenomenal cost score of 89.3—the highest among all peers—with median home values of just $98,700 and rent at $725/month. Combined with a tax score of 85.6 and effective rate of 0.594%, the county offers unparalleled financial value.

Very low incomes create economic hardship

Lee's income score of 11.0 reflects median household income of only $42,269, the lowest among peer counties and well below state and national medians. This severe income constraint, while offset by low costs, limits residents' overall financial capacity and access to services.

Best for retirees and those with fixed incomes

Lee suits retirees with savings, Social Security recipients, and remote workers earning income elsewhere seeking maximum purchasing power. The county delivers extraordinary value for those whose income doesn't need to grow but whose dollars must stretch far.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.6Cost89.3SafetyComing SoonHealth64.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome11Risk42.7WaterComing Soon
🏛85.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42.7
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 Lee County with another county →

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Montrose County
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Lawrence County
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Median income: $65,551

Deep Dives

Lee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lee County

via TaxByCounty

Lee County offers extreme affordability

Lee County's effective tax rate of 0.594% is historically low, and with a median home value of just $98,700, residents pay only $586 annually in property taxes—78% less than the national median. This reflects Lee County's position as one of Virginia's most economically challenged regions.

Below-average rate, lowest home values

Lee County's effective tax rate of 0.594% sits slightly below Virginia's state average of 0.671%, but its median home value of $98,700 is less than half the state median. Median taxes of $586 are 70% below Virginia's $1,960 median.

Lowest-value properties in Southwest Virginia

Lee County's median home value of $98,700 is significantly lower than other Southwestern Virginia counties, though its 0.594% tax rate is moderate for the region. The combination yields the lowest absolute tax bills in Virginia.

What $98,700 home costs yearly

On Lee County's median home value of $98,700, homeowners pay approximately $586 per year in property taxes—less than $50 monthly. This reflects the county's severe economic challenges and historically depressed property market.

Even small overassessments add up

While Lee County's overall tax burden is light, even modest overassessments can squeeze already-tight family budgets in this economically vulnerable area. Appeal options exist and could provide meaningful relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lee County

via CostByCounty

Lee County's extreme affordability comes with trade-offs

Lee County's median rent of $725 and median home value of $98,700 are exceptional bargains, but the 20.6% rent-to-income ratio reveals the real story—household income of just $42,269 is 43% below the national median. Affordability here reflects very limited earning power rather than cheap housing markets.

Virginia's least affordable county by income

Lee's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio is the worst among Virginia counties shown here, exceeding the state average of 18.6% by 2 percentage points. This economically disadvantaged southwest Virginia county struggles despite having the lowest absolute rents in the state.

Cheapest housing, lowest wages

Lee's $725 rent and $98,700 median home value far undercut neighboring rural counties, but household income of $42,269 falls dramatically short of King William ($85,212) and Louisa ($80,343). This is a low-cost, low-income county with limited job market opportunities.

Housing affordable, income inadequate

Renters pay $725 monthly and homeowners pay just $408, making housing costs remarkably low in absolute terms. Yet household income of $42,269 means housing still consumes 20.6% of income for renters—a burden for an already struggling community.

Lee County for retired or remote workers

Lee's $725 rent and $98,700 home prices attract retirees on fixed incomes and remote workers earning outside the county, but local job markets are limited. Weigh the extreme affordability against limited economic opportunity and regional isolation before relocating.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lee County

via IncomeByCounty

Lee County faces significant income challenge

Lee County's median household income of $42,269 falls dramatically short of the national median of $74,755—a $32,486 gap representing 43% less than typical American households. This substantial shortfall reflects economic hardship uncommon in most U.S. counties and requires targeted support.

Virginia's most economically challenged county

Lee County's $42,269 median household income ranks among the lowest in Virginia, falling $32,688 below the state average of $74,957. The county faces the steepest income challenges of any Virginia community, reflecting decades of economic decline in Appalachian coal country.

Severe income gap with all regional peers

Lee County's $42,269 median household income trails every neighboring county dramatically, including Lancaster ($67,169), Louisa ($80,343), and all western Virginia communities. The county's income level represents an economic crisis relative to both state and regional standards.

Housing crisis despite low home values

At 20.6%, Lee County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 30% affordability crisis threshold and indicates severe housing stress—the highest burden of any county analyzed. Even with median home values of just $98,700, the gap between local incomes and housing costs creates acute affordability challenges.

Focus on stability, skill-building, and assistance

Lee County residents should prioritize immediate financial stability through budgeting and accessing available assistance programs rather than investment strategies. Skill development, education, and accessing workforce development programs represent the most direct path to income growth and long-term economic security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lee County

via HealthByCounty

Significant life expectancy gap

Lee County's 71.9-year life expectancy falls 6.3 years below the U.S. average of 78.2 years—one of the steepest disparities in Virginia. At 21.6% poor or fair health, the county faces acute population health challenges.

Virginia's most troubled health profile

Lee County's 71.9-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Virginia, trailing the state average of 75.1 years by 3.2 years. The county consistently appears in Virginia's most health-challenged regions across multiple metrics.

Significantly worse than peers

Lee County's 21.6% poor/fair health rate ties it with King and Queen for the region's worst outcomes, and its life expectancy significantly trails all neighboring counties. The county faces distinct health disparities compared to surrounding communities.

Mental health resources amid constraints

Lee County offers 32 primary care providers and notably 161 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in the region, reflecting acute mental health needs. An 8.3% uninsured rate compounds access challenges for a vulnerable population.

Invest in your family's health now

With life expectancy 6 years below the national average, Lee County residents must prioritize health coverage to access preventive care and early treatment. Check Healthcare.gov immediately to enroll in coverage and connect with the strong mental health resources available locally.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lee County

via RiskByCounty

Lee County: Above-Average Disaster Risk

Lee County's composite risk score of 57.32 and Relatively Low rating indicate above-average natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties. Your county faces more cumulative hazard threats than the national average.

Virginia's Riskiest County

At 57.32, Lee County significantly exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it the commonwealth's highest-risk county in this analysis. This elevated score reflects substantial exposure across multiple hazard types.

Risk Stands Out in Region

Lee County's 57.32 score far exceeds nearby Wise County and other southwestern Virginia peers, making it the region's highest-risk location. Your county faces notably greater natural disaster exposure than surrounding areas.

Wildfire and Flood Risks Dominate

Lee County faces exceptional wildfire risk (80.57) and significant flood exposure (72.81), both driven by Appalachian terrain and weather patterns. Earthquakes (60.43) and tornadoes (34.92) also present meaningful concerns for the county.

Wildfire and Flood Coverage Critical

Given your county's elevated wildfire (80.57) and flood (72.81) risks, ensure your homeowners policy includes flood coverage and review wildfire provisions carefully. Consider defensible space measures around your home and keep emergency evacuation plans current.

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.