countyscore
63.5
County Score
Property Tax 91.1Disaster Risk 87.8Weather & Climate 77.5

County Report Card

About Mathews County, Virginia

A National Leader in Livability

Mathews County boasts a composite score of 63.4, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. This high ranking places it among the more desirable coastal counties in the country.

Top-Tier Performance in Virginia

With a score of 63.4, Mathews County sits well above the Virginia state average of 50.9. It offers a rare combination of high income and low tax burden relative to the rest of the state.

Low Taxes and High Health

The county excels with a 92.4 tax score and an effective tax rate of 0.423%. High marks in health (72.5), risk (87.8), and income (78.0) create a very stable community profile.

Water Quality and Housing Costs

A water score of 2.2 is the county's most significant drawback and warrants attention from future residents. Housing costs are also moderate, with a cost score of 36.0 and home values averaging $348,800.

Ideal for Healthy, Tax-Savvy Retirees

Mathews is perfect for those seeking a high-quality, coastal lifestyle with minimal tax interference. It suits health-conscious residents who have the means to navigate a tighter housing market.

2040608010091.13865.572.557.375.187.82.277.5Tax91.1Cost38Safety65.5Health72.5Schools57.3Income75.1Risk87.8Water2.2Weather77.563.5/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Mathews County DNA

D+overall

How Mathews County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Mathews County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (87.8/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
91.1+39.099999999999994
Cost
38-10
Safety
65.5+10.5
Health
72.5+22.5
Schools
57.3
Income
75.1+24.099999999999994
Risk
87.8+40.8
Water
2.2-55.8
Weather
77.5+21.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Mathews County

Whether buying or refinancing in Mathews County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$360,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,032/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$360,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $75,880/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

35.2

per 100K

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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Nearby counties

Gloucester County
Virginia
54.1
Middlesex County
Virginia
53.9
York County
Virginia
52.3
Poquoson city
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Lancaster County
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Williamsburg city
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James City County
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Newport News city
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31

Deep Dives

Mathews County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mathews County

via TaxByCounty

Mathews offers minimal tax burden

Mathews County's effective tax rate of 0.423% is among the nation's lowest, ranking in roughly the bottom 10% nationally. Despite higher-than-average home values, the county's tax rate keeps the overall property tax burden remarkably modest.

Virginia's least-taxed county

Mathews County charges just 0.423%, the lowest effective tax rate among all Virginia counties and cities—37% below the statewide average of 0.671%. It's an exceptionally favorable tax environment within the state.

Region's most tax-friendly option

Mathews's 0.423% rate is the lowest among regional peers, beating Lunenburg County (0.436%), Mecklenburg County (0.488%), and Madison County (0.594%). It offers the absolute best tax advantage in the area.

Median annual tax: $1,475

With a median home value of $348,800 and a 0.423% effective rate, the typical Mathews County homeowner pays just $1,475 annually in property taxes—roughly $123 monthly. This is remarkably low for a county with higher-valued homes.

Verify assessments despite low rates

Even in Mathews County's tax-friendly environment, assessment accuracy matters for your personal finances. Homeowners should review their valuations and file appeals if they believe their property has been overestimated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mathews County

via IncomeByCounty

Mathews slightly above national income

Mathews County's median household income of $75,487 edges out the national median of $74,755 by just $732. The rural Eastern Shore county holds its own in the competitive national income landscape.

Slight edge above Virginia median

At $75,487, Mathews County narrowly exceeds Virginia's state median of $74,957 by just $530, placing it almost exactly at the Commonwealth's midpoint. The county represents a typical Virginia community in terms of household earnings.

Solid middle ground among peers

Mathews ($75,487) sits between rural southern counties like Lunenburg ($54,460) and wealthier northern areas like Manassas ($117,919). The county's Eastern Shore location provides stability without the D.C. boom or the rural manufacturing decline affecting other regions.

Excellent housing affordability balance

A 17.6% rent-to-income ratio demonstrates strong housing affordability, and the $348,800 median home value reflects the county's appeal as a waterfront destination. Mathews residents enjoy comfortable housing costs relative to income despite premium property values.

Stable platform for wealth building

Mathews County's median income paired with low housing cost burden creates a sound foundation for retirement savings and long-term investing. Residents should capitalize on this stability by maximizing retirement contributions and building diversified investment portfolios.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mathews County

via CrimeByCounty

Mathews County: A National Safety Leader

Mathews County boasts a total crime rate of 808.3 per 100,000, nearly three times lower than the national average. This exceptional data results in a safety score of 98.7 out of 100.

High Rankings Across the Commonwealth

With a safety score of 98.7, Mathews County significantly outperforms the state average of 97.3. It maintains a total crime rate that is less than half of Virginia’s average of 1,728.8 per 100,000.

Top-Tier Safety in the Region

Data from two reporting agencies confirm that Mathews is one of the safest counties in the area. Its crime rate of 808.3 makes it a preferred destination for those prioritizing a secure environment.

Analyzing Low Crime Incidence

Violent crime is very low at 140.6 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 369.8. Property crime is also minimal at 667.7, which is roughly one-third of the national average.

Maintaining a Secure Coastal Community

To keep crime rates low, residents should continue practicing basic security measures like locking vehicles and garages. Mathews County’s safety is a collective achievement that benefits from vigilant homeowners.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mathews County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm and Wet Coastal Escape

Mathews County is significantly warmer than the national median, with an annual average of 57.6°F. It is one of the wettest regions in the state, receiving 51.9 inches of annual precipitation.

Warmer Than the Virginia Mainland

The county's 57.6°F average is nearly two degrees higher than the Virginia state average of 55.9°F. Its coastal location provides a maritime influence that keeps winters milder than inland counties.

Higher Rainfall Than Inland Peers

Mathews receives 51.9 inches of rain, far exceeding the 44.2 inches found in Louisa County. Its 57.6°F average also makes it the warmest county in this regional group.

Mild Winters and Low Heat Extremes

Despite the high average temperature, the coast keeps extremes in check with only 16 days above 90°F. Winters are the mildest in the set, with a 39.9°F average and only 8.5 inches of snow.

Heavy Rain and Storm Protection

Residents must plan for over 50 inches of rain annually with robust drainage and flood mitigation. While extreme heat is rare at 16 days, the high humidity requires consistent climate control to prevent mold.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mathews County

via SoilByCounty

Coastal Acidic Sand Profiles

Mathews County features a very acidic soil pH of 5.06, which is lower than the Virginia average of 5.23. This level falls significantly below the 6.5 national median, typical for the state's coastal plain regions.

Dominated by Coastal Sands

The soil is 59.4% sand, providing a loose and light texture that is very easy to cultivate. A lower clay content of 13.1% means the soil drains rapidly, though it may struggle to hold onto mobile nutrients.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter is a standout at 3.32%, comfortably beating the Virginia state average of 2.90%. This high fertility, paired with an available water capacity of 0.145 in/in, creates a productive environment for moisture-loving plants.

Fast Drainage for Coastal Farming

Although specific drainage classes are not listed, the high sand percentage ensures water moves through the soil quickly. This keeps roots healthy during wet seasons but may require extra irrigation during the height of summer.

Flourishing in Zone 8a

The mild maritime climate of Hardiness Zone 8a allows for a long and productive growing season. Use the rich organic content of Mathews' soil to grow beautiful figs, camellias, and a variety of coastal-tolerant shrubs.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mathews County

via LawnByCounty

Coastal Ease in Mathews County

Mathews County scores a 56.0 on the lawn difficulty scale, placing it just ahead of the Virginia average. As part of Hardiness Zone 8a, this coastal area enjoys milder winters than the state's interior. This makes it a prime location for warm-season grasses that love the long, humid summers.

Abundant Rain and Low Heat Stress

At 51.9 inches of annual precipitation, Mathews is significantly wetter than the state average of 46 inches. It only experiences 16 extreme heat days, which is nearly half the state average, protecting grass from summer burn. A high 4,148 growing degree days ensures your lawn has plenty of energy to grow.

Sandy and Very Acidic Soil

The soil here is 59.4% sand and only 13.1% clay, leading to very fast drainage and nutrient leaching. With a pH of 5.06, the soil is extremely acidic and requires significant lime applications to support healthy turf. Homeowners should focus on adding organic matter to help the sandy soil hold onto water and food.

Short Drought Spells

Mathews has only seen 7 weeks of drought over the past year, far fewer than most Virginia counties. However, the entire county is currently labeled as abnormally dry. Because of the high sand content in your soil, your lawn will show signs of thirst faster than clay-heavy yards.

A Long, Coastal Growing Window

The frost-free season begins early on April 1 and lasts until November 10, providing a massive window for growth. St. Augustine or Centipede grass are excellent choices for the sandy, Zone 8a conditions. If you prefer cool-season grass, the mild 16 heat days make Tall Fescue a viable, year-round option.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mathews County's county score?
Mathews County, Virginia has a composite county score of 63.5 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 Mathews County rank among counties in Virginia?
Mathews County ranks #13 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 Mathews County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Mathews County is $1,547, with an effective tax rate of 0.43%. This earns Mathews County a tax score of 91.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mathews County?
The median household income in Mathews County, Virginia is $75,880 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mathews County earns an income score of 75.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mathews County, Virginia a good place to live?
Mathews County scores 63.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #13 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Mathews County 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 Mathews County 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.