CountyScore

Louisa County

Virginia · VA

#82 in Virginia
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Louisa County, Virginia

Solid livability nearly 40% above national median

Louisa's composite score of 69.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 39%, positioning it as a genuinely livable community. The county demonstrates consistent performance across its measured dimensions.

Just barely below Virginia's county average

Louisa scores 69.7, nearly matching Virginia's 70.3 state average and placing it in the middle tier of the Commonwealth's counties. The county represents typical livability for the region.

Low taxes and reasonable housing affordability

Louisa earns a tax score of 84.1 with an effective rate of 0.646%, delivering meaningful tax relief, while a cost score of 67.4 reflects median home values of $275,600 and rent at $1,208/month. The combination creates solid financial value for residents.

Modest incomes limit household financial potential

The income score of 35.8 reflects median household income of $80,343, notably below state averages and constraining economic mobility. Safety, health, school, and environmental measurements remain unavailable.

Good for working families seeking stability

Louisa suits working families and retirees who value moderate taxes and reasonable housing costs over premium earning potential. The county offers a stable, balanced lifestyle for those comfortable with regional median incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.1Cost67.4SafetyComing SoonHealth72.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.8Risk67.8WaterComing Soon
🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡67.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Louisa County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Johnson County
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Pulaski County
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Webster County
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Median income: $40,764

Deep Dives

Louisa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Louisa County

via TaxByCounty

Louisa taxes slightly above national average

Louisa County's effective tax rate of 0.646% sits slightly above the national median property tax of $2,690 in percentage terms, though median annual taxes of $1,781 remain comparable to national norms. The county represents moderate property taxation nationally.

Slightly above Virginia's average rate

Louisa County's effective rate of 0.646% exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671% slightly, placing it in the middle range statewide. Median property taxes of $1,781 are just below Virginia's $1,960 median.

Mid-range rates among Central Virginia peers

Louisa County's 0.646% rate sits above King William (0.627%) but well below Loudoun (0.882%) and Lexington (0.864%), making it competitive in Central Virginia. The county offers reasonable taxation for its property values.

What $275,600 home costs yearly

On Louisa's median home value of $275,600, homeowners pay approximately $1,781 per year in property taxes—about $148 monthly. This is accessible for most middle-class families and slightly below state median taxes.

Review your assessment for savings

Louisa County homeowners should verify their property valuations, as overassessments are common statewide and often go unchallenged. An assessment appeal could reduce your tax burden meaningfully.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Louisa County

via CostByCounty

Louisa hits the national affordability sweet spot

Louisa County's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio sits nearly at the national average, while household income of $80,343 runs 7% above the U.S. median. This central Virginia county delivers balanced affordability without the extremes found elsewhere.

Slightly above state average on affordability

Louisa's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio runs just below Virginia's 18.6% state average, placing it firmly in the middle tier of the state's counties. It's a solid choice for middle-income families seeking reasonable housing costs.

Moderate pricing, moderate income

Louisa's $1,208 rent and $80,343 household income fall between the rural cheap counties (Lancaster, King and Queen) and the pricier suburban options (King William, King George). It offers true middle ground in both cost and earning power.

Balanced burden for renters and owners

Renters pay $1,208 monthly and homeowners pay $1,244 on median homes valued at $275,600, creating nearly identical affordability for both groups. With household income at $80,343, housing takes 18.0% of income—right at the conventional comfort threshold.

Louisa for balanced central Virginia living

If you earn $75,000–$85,000 and seek the middle ground between rural savings and suburban amenities, Louisa delivers $1,208 rent and $275,600 median home values. Compare to King William for similar pricing or Lancaster for lower rents in a more rural setting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Louisa County

via IncomeByCounty

Louisa income surpasses nation by 7%

Louisa County's median household income of $80,343 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $5,588, placing the county in the upper-income tier nationally. This 7% advantage reflects a stable rural community that performs above the American average.

Above-average earner in Virginia

Louisa County's median household income of $80,343 exceeds Virginia's state average of $74,957 by approximately $5,400. The county ranks favorably among Virginia's 95 counties and cities, reflecting solid regional economic performance.

Mid-tier earner in eastern region

Louisa's $80,343 median household income positions it in the middle tier of eastern Virginia communities, trailing King George ($110,517) and King William ($85,212) but exceeding King and Queen ($72,851) and Lancaster ($67,169). The county maintains solid competitive standing regionally.

Housing costs manageable with slight pressure

At 18.0%, Louisa's rent-to-income ratio sits modestly above the 17% comfort zone, indicating housing costs consume a meaningful but manageable share of household budgets. With median home values at $275,600, homeownership remains accessible to median-income households despite modest affordability pressure.

Build savings after housing obligations

Louisa residents should prioritize managing the 18% housing burden while establishing systematic savings of 10-15% of gross income. With incomes 7% above the national average, households can maintain modest homes, maximize retirement account contributions, and begin building taxable investment portfolios.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Louisa County

via HealthByCounty

Below-average life expectancy profile

Louisa County's 75.9-year life expectancy falls short of the U.S. average of 78.2 years by 2.3 years. At 16.1% reporting poor or fair health, the county sits near the national average, indicating moderate health concerns.

Slightly above state average

Louisa's 75.9-year life expectancy edges ahead of Virginia's 75.1-year state average by 0.8 years, placing the county marginally above the state norm. The county ranks in the middle of Virginia's health performance spectrum.

Moderate performance regionally

Louisa's 16.1% poor/fair health rate sits between healthier King George (15.8%) and less healthy King William (17.6%), placing it in the regional middle range. The county's outcomes reflect typical rural Virginia health challenges.

Limited primary care availability

Louisa faces significant provider constraints with just 10 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below the region's typical 22-37 range. With an 8.2% uninsured rate near Virginia's 7.9% average, residents struggle to access the limited care available.

Bridge the care access gap

Louisa's scarcity of primary care providers makes health insurance even more critical—uninsured residents face especially difficult barriers. Check Healthcare.gov now to secure coverage and connect with available mental health resources (54 per 100K).

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Louisa County

via RiskByCounty

Louisa: Low Risk Despite Hazards

Louisa County's composite risk score of 32.19 and Very Low rating keep it slightly below the national disaster risk average. Your county faces fewer cumulative natural hazard threats than most U.S. counties.

Nearly Meets Virginia's Average

At 32.19, Louisa County sits just below Virginia's state average of 33.27, reflecting roughly average disaster risk within the commonwealth. Your county is comparable to other Virginia counties in overall hazard exposure.

Higher Risk Than Central Virginia Peers

Louisa's 32.19 score exceeds safer nearby counties like Lexington City (3.72) but matches Lancaster County (32.28). Your county faces notably higher hazard exposure than its western and southern neighbors.

Earthquakes and Hurricanes Lead Hazards

Louisa County faces elevated earthquake risk (76.37) and significant hurricane exposure (79.85), both driven by regional seismic activity and Atlantic weather patterns. Tornadoes (33.30) and wildfires (22.71) present secondary concerns; flooding is moderate at 38.49.

Hurricane and Earthquake Coverage Needed

Your county's elevated hurricane (79.85) and earthquake (76.37) risks warrant comprehensive coverage—add flood protection to your homeowners policy and consider earthquake insurance. Review your wind and storm damage coverage regularly given the persistent Atlantic hurricane exposure.

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.