CountyScore

Lunenburg County

Virginia · VA

#17 in Virginia
74.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Lunenburg County, Virginia

Lunenburg stands well above the national median

With a composite score of 78.4, Lunenburg County ranks in the 57th percentile nationally, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. This solid performance reflects a county where affordability and tax burden combine to create genuine livability advantages.

Above-average livability in Virginia

Lunenburg's score of 78.4 places it above Virginia's state average of 70.3, demonstrating that residents enjoy better-than-typical conditions across the Commonwealth. The county ranks in the upper tier of Virginia's livability profile.

Tax relief and housing affordability shine

Lunenburg excels in tax burden (90.0 score) with an effective tax rate of just 0.436%, among Virginia's lowest, and affordable housing (84.5 score) with a median home value of $145,500 and monthly rent at $780. These twin strengths make the county particularly attractive for budget-conscious families and retirees.

Income levels remain the primary constraint

The county's income score of 18.9 reflects a median household income of $54,460, below state averages and limiting wealth-building potential for residents. Currently, safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving gaps in the full livability picture.

Ideal for cost-conscious families and retirees

Lunenburg County delivers strong livability for households prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. It's particularly well-suited for fixed-income retirees, young families stretching limited budgets, and those seeking rural Virginia living with minimal financial strain.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90Cost84.5SafetyComing SoonHealth63SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.9Risk80.2WaterComing Soon
🏛90
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.2
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 Lunenburg County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Koochiching County
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74.7
Median income: $69,115
Norman County
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74.7
Median income: $69,833
Sioux County
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74.7
Median income: $54,076
Ransom County
North Dakota
74.7
Median income: $74,521
Mineral County
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74.7
Median income: $68,049

Deep Dives

Lunenburg County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lunenburg County

via TaxByCounty

Lunenburg taxes rank among nation's lowest

With an effective tax rate of 0.436%, Lunenburg County's property taxes are less than one-third the national median of $2,690 annually. This places the county in roughly the bottom 20% nationally—meaning homeowners here pay significantly less than most Americans on comparable properties.

Virginia's second-least taxed county

Lunenburg's 0.436% effective rate ranks second-lowest among all Virginia counties, well below the state average of 0.671%. Only a handful of Virginia jurisdictions offer lower property tax rates than Lunenburg.

Among region's most tax-friendly

Compared to neighboring Mecklenburg County (0.488%) and Madison County (0.594%), Lunenburg charges less. However, the region spans a wide range: nearby Lynchburg city charges 0.840%, nearly double Lunenburg's rate.

Median annual tax: $635

With a median home value of $145,500 and a 0.436% effective rate, the typical Lunenburg homeowner pays about $635 per year in property taxes. That translates to roughly $53 monthly—among the lowest in the nation.

Don't leave money on the table

Even in low-tax counties like Lunenburg, many homeowners are overassessed by local appraisers. Homeowners have the right to appeal their assessments if they believe the valuation is inaccurate—potentially saving hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lunenburg County

via CostByCounty

Lunenburg's affordability beats the nation

At 17.2%, Lunenburg's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national average, meaning renters here spend less of their paycheck on housing than typical Americans. However, the median household income of $54,460 lags the national median of $74,755 by $20,295, so affordability here reflects both modest rents and lower overall earnings.

One of Virginia's most affordable counties

Lunenburg ranks among the state's most housing-affordable jurisdictions, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% compared to Virginia's state average of 18.6%. Its median rent of $780 significantly undercuts the state average of $1,140, making it a standout for renters seeking relief.

Cheaper than most nearby options

Lunenburg's $780 median rent is the lowest among its regional peer group and roughly $260 less than Mecklenburg County ($804) to the south. Owner costs are similarly competitive at $653 monthly, undercutting most neighboring jurisdictions by $50–$100.

Where Lunenburg dollars go

Renters in Lunenburg allocate roughly 17.2% of income to rent, while homeowners dedicate about 14.4% to mortgage payments—both reasonable by national standards. The median home value of $145,500 makes ownership accessible compared to state averages, though wages remain the limiting factor for many.

Moving to Lunenburg? Compare carefully.

If housing affordability is your priority, Lunenburg delivers low rents and modest home prices, but job opportunities and income levels may require remote work or a commute. Compare your salary against the county's median of $54,460 to ensure your move pencils out financially.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lunenburg County

via IncomeByCounty

Lunenburg lags behind national income

Lunenburg County's median household income of $54,460 falls 27% below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects economic challenges facing rural Virginia communities, where wages haven't kept pace with the rest of the country.

Bottom quartile among Virginia counties

At $54,460, Lunenburg ranks in the bottom 25% of Virginia counties, trailing the state median of $74,957 by $20,497. The county faces steeper economic headwinds than most of its peers across the Commonwealth.

Rural neighbors share similar struggles

Lunenburg's income closely mirrors Mecklenburg County ($51,691) and falls below Madison County ($82,972), its more prosperous neighbor. Rural southern Virginia counties cluster in the lower income range, reflecting broader regional economic patterns.

Housing remains affordable here

A 17.2% rent-to-income ratio indicates solid housing affordability—well below the 30% threshold that signals cost burden. With a median home value of $145,500, Lunenburg offers one of Virginia's most accessible real estate markets.

Build wealth through smart planning

Even with modest household income, Lunenburg residents benefit from low housing costs that free up money for savings and investment. Starting an emergency fund and exploring retirement accounts can help households build financial security despite regional wage challenges.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lunenburg County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy lags national average

Lunenburg residents live to an average of 74.0 years, about 6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 80 years. One in five residents reports poor or fair health, reflecting significant challenges in the county's overall health profile.

Below Virginia's health performance

At 74.0 years, Lunenburg's life expectancy trails Virginia's state average of 75.1 years, placing the county among lower-performing regions statewide. The county's 10.8% uninsured rate is also above Virginia's 7.9% average, leaving more residents without coverage.

Rural health access challenges

Lunenburg has only 17 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a significant shortage compared to urban neighbors like Lynchburg (127 per 100K) or Manassas (96 per 100K). Mental health provider availability at 83 per 100K is middling, but the lack of primary care remains a critical bottleneck.

Limited doctors, high uninsured rates

With fewer primary care doctors per capita and 10.8% of residents uninsured, Lunenburg residents often face long waits or travel distances for routine care. The combination leaves many managing chronic conditions without regular preventive check-ups.

Health coverage options await

If you're among the uninsured in Lunenburg, Virginia's marketplace offers qualified health plans yearround. Visit Virginia.gov or Healthcare.gov to explore coverage options, subsidies, and enrollment deadlines that may reduce your costs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lunenburg County

via RiskByCounty

Lunenburg ranks well below national average

With a composite risk score of 19.85 and a Very Low rating, Lunenburg County faces significantly less natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. The county's score is well below Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it among the safer communities in the region.

Among Virginia's safest counties

Lunenburg ranks in the lower tier for disaster risk across Virginia, with only a handful of counties scoring lower overall. This Very Low rating reflects relatively modest threats from most major hazard types in the state.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Lunenburg's risk profile is considerably lower than neighboring Mecklenburg County (54.33), which faces elevated hurricane and flood threats. The county also has lower risk than Lynchburg city (49.30), making it one of the more protected communities in south-central Virginia.

Tornado risk leads modest hazard mix

Lunenburg's greatest natural disaster threat comes from tornadoes, with a risk score of 22.90—still considered low in absolute terms. Earthquake risk (52.80) and hurricane risk (76.51) are present but pose less immediate concern than severe convective weather.

Smart insurance protects against tornadoes

While Lunenburg's overall risk is low, tornado risk remains the county's primary concern, making comprehensive homeowners coverage with windstorm protection a wise choice. Renters and property owners should ensure their policies cover severe weather damage, which remains the most likely natural disaster scenario.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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