countyscore
44.1
County Score
Disaster Risk 90.5Schools 64.6Cost of Living 64

County Report Card

About Martinsville city, Virginia

Martinsville Near National Mid-Point

Martinsville earns a composite score of 44.6, placing it slightly behind the national median of 50.0. It offers a distinct profile of high affordability paired with economic challenges.

Affordable Alternative in Virginia

While its 44.6 score is below the 50.9 state average, Martinsville provides a much lower entry price than most Virginia cities. It represents a different value proposition than the state's high-cost regions.

Strong Affordability and Environment

The city features a high risk score of 90.5 and a cost score of 67.3, with median home values at just $92,500. School scores are also a surprise highlight at 64.6, beating many wealthier neighbors.

Low Income and Safety Scores

Economic mobility is difficult, marked by an income score of only 4.8 and a median household income of $42,434. Safety (12.6) and health (25.8) are also areas where the city faces significant hurdles.

Suited for Budget-Conscious Homeowners

Martinsville is a strong fit for individuals looking for extremely low-cost housing and solid local schools. It is ideal for those with stable outside income who want to maximize their purchasing power.

20406080100536412.625.864.67.590.564Tax53Cost64Safety12.6Health25.8Schools64.6Income7.5Risk90.5Water—Weather6444.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Martinsville city DNA

Foverall

How Martinsville city compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Martinsville city is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (90.5/100) but notably weak in Income (7.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
53
Cost
64+16
Safety
12.6-42.4
Health
25.8-24.2
Schools
64.6+10.599999999999994
Income
7.5-43.5
Risk
90.5+43.5
Weather
64+8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$98,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$808/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$98,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $46,727/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
Median income: $64,132
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Orange County
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Ventura County
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Fulton County
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Alcorn County
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Henry County
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Saline County
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Median income: $79,910
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Nearby counties

Henry County
Virginia
51.6
Rockingham County
North Carolina
39.2
Franklin County
Virginia
59.7
Pittsylvania County
Virginia
54.5
Danville city
Virginia
37.7
Stokes County
North Carolina
63.2
Patrick County
Virginia
58.9
Caswell County
North Carolina
58.9

Deep Dives

Martinsville city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Martinsville city

via TaxByCounty

Martinsville taxes moderate on dollar amount

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Martinsville city

via IncomeByCounty

Martinsville faces significant income gap

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Martinsville city

via CrimeByCounty

Martinsville Faces Unique Safety Challenges

Martinsville reports a total crime rate of 2,555.6 per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. The city currently holds a safety score of 96.0 out of 100.

Monitoring Trends in Martinsville

The city's safety score of 96.0 is below the Virginia state average of 97.3. Data from a single reporting agency shows a total crime rate that exceeds the Commonwealth's average of 1,728.8 per 100,000.

Regional Comparisons for Martinsville

Compared to nearby rural counties, Martinsville's urbanized setting contributes to a higher rate of incidents. The city's violent crime rate of 384.1 slightly exceeds the national average of 369.8.

Understanding the Local Crime Mix

Property crime accounts for 2,171.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, while violent crime sits at 384.1. These numbers suggest that while property issues are more common, violent crime requires community attention.

Prioritizing Home Safety in Martinsville

Improving home security through high-quality locks and perimeter lighting is essential for local residents. Active participation in neighborhood watch programs can help bring the city's safety metrics closer to state averages.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Martinsville city

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Rainy Piedmont Climate

Martinsville city averages 56.0°F annually, sitting comfortably above the national median temperature. This region is characterized by high annual precipitation, totaling 47.4 inches.

Slightly Warmer Than the State Average

At 56.0°F, Martinsville is marginally warmer than the Virginia average of 55.9°F. Its southern location near the North Carolina border contributes to this slight temperature premium.

Wetter and Warmer Than Lynchburg

Martinsville is nearly a degree warmer than Lynchburg (55.2°F) and significantly wetter. It receives 47.4 inches of rain annually, surpassing the state average of 45.7 inches.

Moderate Snow and Humid Summers

The city sees 28 days of extreme heat annually, centered around a 76.0°F July average. Winters are milder than northern neighbors, with 9.4 inches of snow and a 37.9°F winter average.

Focus on Moisture Management

Given the 47.4 inches of annual rainfall, high-quality gutters and basement waterproofing are essential. The 28 days of extreme heat also require a well-maintained HVAC system to combat southern humidity.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Lawn Care in Martinsville city

via LawnByCounty

Above-Average Growing in Martinsville

Martinsville city enjoys a lawn difficulty score of 63.5, making it one of the easier places in Virginia to keep a green yard. This beats the state average by 8 points and the national average by 13. While a hardiness zone is not specified, the climate supports healthy, vigorous turf growth.

Ample Rain and Balanced Temps

Martinsville receives 47.4 inches of rain annually, which exceeds the ideal range for most lawns. With 28 extreme heat days, the city perfectly matches the Virginia state average for summer stress. The 3,780 growing degree days provide a long, productive window for establishing new grass.

Missing Soil Specs for Martinsville

Official soil data for Martinsville is currently unavailable. Given the high annual precipitation of 47.4 inches, drainage should be your primary concern to prevent root rot. If your lawn stays soggy after a storm, consider aerating to improve the soil's physical structure.

Severe Drought Grips the City

Despite the high average rainfall, 100% of Martinsville is currently in a state of severe drought (D2+). This follows a year where the city spent 23 weeks in drought conditions. Strict water conservation is necessary right now to protect the city’s water supply and your lawn's health.

Maximize the Growing Season

The growing season kicks off after the last frost on April 24 and runs until October 21. Because of the current severe drought, consider dormant seeding this winter or waiting until conditions improve. Tall fescue remains the gold standard for this region's balance of rain and heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Martinsville city's county score?
Martinsville city, Virginia has a composite county score of 44.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Martinsville city rank among counties in Virginia?
Martinsville city ranks #102 among all counties in Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Martinsville city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Martinsville city is $760, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Martinsville city a tax score of 53/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Martinsville city?
The median household income in Martinsville city, Virginia is $46,727 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Martinsville city earns an income score of 7.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Martinsville city, Virginia a good place to live?
Martinsville city scores 44.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #102 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Martinsville city is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Martinsville city with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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