CountyScore

Lynchburg city

Virginia · VA

#97 in Virginia
68.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Lynchburg city, Virginia

Lynchburg edges out the national average

Lynchburg's composite score of 69.6 beats the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 48th percentile nationally. The city demonstrates solid, middle-of-the-road livability compared to American standards.

Right at Virginia's state average

With a score of 69.6, Lynchburg sits just slightly below Virginia's state average of 70.3, reflecting typical livability conditions across the Commonwealth. The city performs comparably to the state's overall profile.

Balanced tax and housing affordability

Lynchburg offers reasonable tax burden (78.7 score) at 0.840% effective rate and moderately affordable housing (74.6 score) with a median home value of $211,800 and $1,043 monthly rent. The city also shows an income score of 22.4 with median household income of $59,808, indicating modest earning potential.

Income growth opportunities lag modestly

The income score of 22.4 suggests Lynchburg residents earn below state and national norms, potentially limiting long-term wealth accumulation. Data gaps remain on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions that would round out the livability assessment.

Right fit for moderate-income urban seekers

Lynchburg suits individuals and families who value urban amenities and moderate living costs over maximum earning potential. The city works best for those seeking a small-city lifestyle with reasonable housing costs and manageable tax burdens.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.7Cost74.6SafetyComing SoonHealth71.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.4Risk50.7WaterComing Soon
🏛78.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50.7
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 Lynchburg city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Morgan County
Alabama
68.4
Median income: $64,858
Mesa County
Colorado
68.4
Median income: $71,485
Levy County
Florida
68.4
Median income: $53,805
Atkinson County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $38,438
Irwin County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $53,915

Deep Dives

Lynchburg city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lynchburg city

via TaxByCounty

Lynchburg taxes exceed national average

Lynchburg's effective tax rate of 0.840% is substantially higher than the national median property tax payment of $2,690. This 0.840% rate positions the city roughly at the 65th percentile nationally—meaning most Americans pay less as a percentage.

Above average for Virginia

Lynchburg charges 0.840% compared to Virginia's 0.671% average, making it a higher-tax jurisdiction statewide. Among Virginia's 95 counties and cities, Lynchburg ranks in the upper quarter for property tax rates.

Higher than surrounding counties

Lynchburg's 0.840% rate notably exceeds neighboring Lunenburg County (0.436%) and Mecklenburg County (0.488%). However, it remains lower than nearby Manassas city (1.096%) and Manassas Park city (1.136%).

Median annual tax: $1,778

The typical Lynchburg homeowner with a $211,800 median home value pays $1,778 annually in property taxes—roughly $148 per month. Homeowners with mortgages may pay slightly more due to escrow adjustments.

Appeal if you're overassessed

Studies show that many homeowners, including those in Lynchburg, are overassessed on their property valuations. If you believe your assessment is inflated, filing an appeal with the local assessor's office could reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lynchburg city

via CostByCounty

Lynchburg's rent burden exceeds U.S. norm

Renters in Lynchburg spend 20.9% of income on rent, outpacing the national benchmark and leaving less room in household budgets for other expenses. The median income of $59,808 falls $15,000 short of the national median, a gap that amplifies affordability pressure.

Above-average rent burden for Virginia

Lynchburg's rent-to-income ratio of 20.9% ranks above Virginia's state average of 18.6%, placing it among less affordable state jurisdictions. At $1,043 per month, median rent nearly matches the state average of $1,140, offering no relief from Virginia's overall housing costs.

Pricier than rural southern counterparts

Lynchburg's $1,043 rent runs $260–$290 higher than rural Lunenburg and Mecklenburg counties to the south, reflecting its status as a regional urban hub. Homeownership is similarly steeper: at $979 monthly and $211,800 median value, it exceeds nearby rural areas significantly.

Lynchburg's housing costs breakdown

Renters dedicate roughly one-fifth (20.9%) of their $59,808 median income to housing, while homeowners commit approximately 19.6% to mortgage payments. Together, these figures show housing consumes a larger slice of Lynchburg household finances than state and national norms.

Consider Lynchburg if you have urban amenities

Lynchburg's higher rents reflect its urban services, cultural institutions, and job market—trade-offs worth weighing if remote work or higher local wages offset the cost. Compare your income and lifestyle needs against the 20.9% rent burden before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lynchburg city

via IncomeByCounty

Lynchburg earns below national average

Lynchburg's median household income of $59,808 trails the national median of $74,755 by 20%. As a mid-sized city, Lynchburg reflects the income struggles of many secondary markets facing competition from larger metros.

Mid-range performer in Virginia

Lynchburg's $59,808 income ranks solidly below Virginia's state median of $74,957, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Virginia communities. The city lags wealthier northern Virginia jurisdictions but outpaces many rural southern counties.

Outearned by nearby Madison County

Lynchburg households earn $59,808 compared to Madison County's $82,972, a $23,164 gap reflecting differences between a city and rural gentry economy. Nearby Lunenburg County ($54,460) earns slightly less, making Lynchburg a relative income hub for south-central Virginia.

Rents claim higher share of income

A 20.9% rent-to-income ratio is manageable but higher than the most affordable Virginia markets, indicating moderate housing cost pressure. Lynchburg's median home value of $211,800 requires careful budgeting for first-time homebuyers earning the median income.

Invest in your financial future

Lynchburg residents earning near the median should prioritize employer retirement benefits and low-cost index funds to build long-term wealth. Even modest monthly contributions compound significantly over time, helping households bridge the gap to financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lynchburg city

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy below U.S. average

Lynchburg residents average 73.5 years of life, roughly 6.5 years shorter than the national average of 80 years. However, only 16.7% report poor or fair health, suggesting better health perception relative to some peer communities.

Ranked in middle of state performance

Lynchburg's life expectancy of 73.5 years falls below Virginia's 75.1-year state average, though its 7.0% uninsured rate is actually better than the state average of 7.9%. The city has a more balanced healthcare access profile than many rural counties.

Urban advantage in provider access

Lynchburg leads regional peers with 127 primary care providers and 756 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding rural counties like Lunenburg or Madison. This urban density makes appointments and specialist referrals significantly more accessible to residents.

Strong provider network, low uninsured

With robust healthcare infrastructure and only 7.0% uninsured residents, Lynchburg's residents have good access to preventive and acute care. The city's provider density supports shorter appointment wait times and more treatment options.

Most residents already insured

If you're among the 7% uninsured in Lynchburg, check Virginia's health insurance marketplace for plans suited to your income and needs. Healthcare.gov and Virginia Medicaid enrollment are available year-round to help close coverage gaps.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lynchburg city

via RiskByCounty

Lynchburg faces moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 49.30 and a Relatively Low rating, Lynchburg city experiences notably higher natural disaster risk than most U.S. counties. The city's score exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, driven particularly by flood exposure and tornado vulnerability.

Mid-range risk for Virginia communities

Lynchburg ranks in the middle range of Virginia counties for overall disaster risk, with its score reflecting above-average flood and earthquake exposure. The city's Relatively Low rating indicates manageable but meaningful hazard exposure compared to safer Virginia communities.

Flood risk higher than nearby counties

Lynchburg's flood risk score of 65.27 significantly exceeds nearby Manassas city (31.68) and Madison County (19.53), reflecting its location in a more flood-prone area. However, the city has lower overall risk than Mecklenburg County (54.33), its closest peer in risk profile.

Flooding is Lynchburg's primary threat

Flood risk dominates Lynchburg's hazard profile at 65.27, reflecting the city's proximity to river systems and low-lying areas vulnerable to heavy rainfall. Tornado risk (31.84) poses a secondary concern, while earthquake risk (73.00) presents a lower-probability but significant potential impact.

Flood insurance essential for Lynchburg residents

Lynchburg's elevated flood risk makes standalone flood insurance critically important—standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Residents should assess their property's flood zone status and strongly consider National Flood Insurance Program coverage, especially those in designated high-risk areas.

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.