Martinsville's composite score of 73.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing the city in the 54th percentile nationally. The community demonstrates solid livability compared to American standards.
2 / 5
Above average within Virginia
With a score of 73.0, Martinsville exceeds Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it in the upper portion of the Commonwealth's livable communities. The city delivers better-than-typical Virginia conditions.
3 / 5
Exceptional affordability and low taxes
Martinsville excels with a cost score of 83.6, featuring the lowest median home value among the counties at $92,500 and rent at just $784 monthly. A tax score of 79.6 with 0.806% effective rate further enhances affordability, making housing accessible to modest-income households.
4 / 5
Income levels present limited wealth-building
The income score of 11.1 reflects a median household income of just $42,434, among Virginia's lowest and creating constraints on household wealth accumulation. Complete health, safety, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.
5 / 5
Perfect for budget-conscious families and retirees
Martinsville suits retirees on fixed incomes, low-wage workers, and families prioritizing maximum housing affordability above all else. The city delivers the rare combination of extremely low housing costs and reasonable tax burden despite modest earning potential.
Martinsville's composite score of 73.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing the city in the 54th percentile nationally. The community demonstrates solid livability compared to American standards.
Above average within Virginia
With a score of 73.0, Martinsville exceeds Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it in the upper portion of the Commonwealth's livable communities. The city delivers better-than-typical Virginia conditions.
Exceptional affordability and low taxes
Martinsville excels with a cost score of 83.6, featuring the lowest median home value among the counties at $92,500 and rent at just $784 monthly. A tax score of 79.6 with 0.806% effective rate further enhances affordability, making housing accessible to modest-income households.
Income levels present limited wealth-building
The income score of 11.1 reflects a median household income of just $42,434, among Virginia's lowest and creating constraints on household wealth accumulation. Complete health, safety, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.
Perfect for budget-conscious families and retirees
Martinsville suits retirees on fixed incomes, low-wage workers, and families prioritizing maximum housing affordability above all else. The city delivers the rare combination of extremely low housing costs and reasonable tax burden despite modest earning potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Martinsville's effective tax rate of 0.806% sits above the national average as a percentage, yet the median annual property tax is just $746—far below the national median of $2,690. This reflects Martinsville's lower median home values combined with a higher-than-average tax rate.
Above-average rate within Virginia
Martinsville charges 0.806%, modestly above Virginia's 0.671% average, ranking in the upper-middle tier of the state's jurisdictions. Despite the higher rate percentage, the city's lower home values keep absolute tax bills modest.
Mid-range among regional options
Martinsville's 0.806% rate falls between Lynchburg city (0.840%) and Madison County (0.594%). It's significantly higher than the lowest-taxed counties like Lunenburg (0.436%), but lower than Manassas-area cities.
Median annual tax: $746
With a median home value of just $92,500 and a 0.806% effective rate, the typical Martinsville homeowner pays $746 per year in property taxes—roughly $62 monthly. This is among the lowest absolute tax bills statewide.
Even modest assessments deserve review
Although Martinsville's property tax bills are relatively low in absolute terms, homeowners shouldn't assume their assessments are correct. Overvaluation can still occur, and even modest reductions in assessed value provide meaningful savings.
At 22.2%, Martinsville's rent-to-income ratio exceeds national norms, with renters spending more than one-fifth of earnings on housing despite the lowest median income in the peer group ($42,434). This combination signals genuine affordability stress for residents.
Lowest incomes, tightest budget squeeze
Martinsville's 22.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Virginia's state average of 18.6%, and its $42,434 median income is the lowest statewide by a wide margin. The result: residents here face steeper housing burdens despite lower absolute rents than many state peers.
Cheapest rents, toughest incomes
Martinsville's $784 rent is the lowest among peer counties, undercutting even Lunenburg ($780) and Mecklenburg ($804), yet the $42,434 median income falls far below all neighbors. This means low rents provide little relief given the area's income challenges.
Martinsville's tight housing budget reality
Renters allocate 22.2% of their $42,434 income to $784 rent, while homeowners commit roughly 20% to mortgages on the state's most affordable homes ($92,500). Both figures pinch household finances more than state and national averages.
Martinsville needs income alongside rent
While Martinsville offers the region's lowest housing costs, moving here makes sense only if you have reliable income from remote work, pensions, or local jobs that match or exceed the $42,434 median. Budget carefully—low rents can't compensate for limited local earnings.
Martinsville's median household income of $42,434 lags the national median of $74,755 by 43%, one of the lowest earnings levels in the nation. The city's economy struggles with manufacturing decline and lacks the diversification of larger metros.
Lowest earner among Virginia peers
At $42,434, Martinsville ranks near the very bottom of Virginia's 133 counties and cities, 43% below the state median of $74,957. The city's economic challenges place it among America's struggling post-industrial communities.
Poorest performer in this group
Martinsville ($42,434) significantly trails all seven other jurisdictions profiled here, including rural Lunenburg ($54,460) and Mecklenburg ($51,691). The city faces steeper economic headwinds than any peer community shown.
Housing affordable, but income tight
A 22.2% rent-to-income ratio is manageable given Martinsville's $92,500 median home value—the lowest in this group. While housing costs remain reasonable, the city's overall low income leaves little margin for other expenses.
Build resilience through small steps
Martinsville residents can build financial security by starting with even modest savings goals—$25 or $50 monthly in a dedicated account. Free financial literacy resources and employer-sponsored benefits (if available) provide pathways to gradual wealth accumulation and economic stability.
Martinsville residents live to only 65.8 years on average—14.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 80 years, making it the lowest in this entire dataset. One in four residents reports poor or fair health, among the worst rates in the state.
Virginia's most challenged health outcome
Martinsville's 65.8-year life expectancy is nearly 9.3 years below Virginia's 75.1-year average, representing a public health emergency. Despite a 7.8% uninsured rate close to the state average, severe health disparities persist.
Isolation without adequate provider data
Martinsville reports no primary care provider count but lists 516 mental health providers per 100K—an unusual pattern that may reflect data classification or specialized services. The lack of primary care data makes it hard to assess why preventive health is so poor.
Extreme health burden despite coverage
Even with a near-average 7.8% uninsured rate, Martinsville residents face extraordinary health challenges that suggest deeper systemic issues—poverty, environmental factors, or healthcare quality gaps. The 25.4% reporting poor health indicates significant chronic disease and inadequate disease management.
Insurance is a start, not enough
While Martinsville's uninsured rate is relatively low, the city faces a profound health crisis requiring community-wide intervention beyond coverage. Residents should ensure they're enrolled in insurance and accessing preventive care; community health workers and local nonprofits offer critical support.
With a composite risk score of 9.57 and a Very Low rating, Martinsville city faces significantly lower natural disaster risk than most U.S. communities. The city's score is well below Virginia's state average of 33.27, reflecting strong protection from major hazards.
Among Virginia's safest municipalities
Martinsville ranks in Virginia's lowest tier for natural disaster risk, with its Very Low rating placing it among the state's most protected communities. The city's risk profile reflects minimal exposure across most major hazard categories.
Safer than nearby Lynchburg and Mecklenburg
Martinsville's risk score of 9.57 is substantially lower than Lynchburg city (49.30) and significantly lower than Mecklenburg County (54.33). The city also ranks safer than Lunenburg County (19.85), making it one of southern Virginia's most secure communities.
Tornado and earthquake are minor threats
Martinsville's highest individual risks come from tornado (26.88) and earthquake (60.72), though both remain below many state averages. Flood risk at 23.06 is moderate, while wildfire risk is negligible at 0.60, creating a broadly protected risk environment.
Standard homeowners policy provides protection
Martinsville's very low disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance typically covers all major natural hazards adequately. Residents should ensure their policies include tornado/windstorm coverage and maintain basic emergency preparedness, but the city's safe location minimizes need for specialty coverage.