CountyScore

Norton city

Virginia · VA

#35 in Virginia
73.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Norton city, Virginia

Norton outpaces national average

Norton city's composite score of 75.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top half of U.S. counties and cities. This 50% advantage reflects a livability profile that works well for people prioritizing affordability and tax efficiency.

Above average for Virginia

With a composite score of 75.0, Norton city ranks above Virginia's state average of 70.3, putting it in the stronger tier of the commonwealth's 133 counties and cities. This positions Norton favorably within Virginia's competitive livability landscape.

Affordable housing and low taxes shine

Norton city excels in cost-of-living metrics with a Cost Score of 87.7 and median home values of just $100,700, plus a Tax Score of 80.3 reflecting an effective tax rate of only 0.781%. These are the county's standout advantages for budget-conscious residents seeking maximum affordability.

Income levels lag behind peers

Norton city's Income Score of 8.5 is notably low, with a median household income of $38,497—considerably below state and regional norms. Data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability picture.

Best for budget-first families

Norton city suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low housing costs and minimal tax burden over high local wages. Its affordability premium makes it ideal for those whose income comes from outside the county or who can live comfortably on modest local earnings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.3Cost87.7SafetyComing SoonHealth60SchoolsComing SoonIncome8.5Risk98.5WaterComing Soon
🏛80.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼8.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡98.5
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 Norton city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Perry County
Alabama
73.2
Median income: $34,368
Crowley County
Colorado
73.2
Median income: $47,563
Jay County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $54,114
Putnam County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $76,182
Vermillion County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $59,363

Deep Dives

Norton city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Norton city

via TaxByCounty

Norton's taxes rank well below national average

Norton's effective tax rate of 0.781% sits well below the national median effective rate, making it a relatively affordable market for homeowners. With a median property tax of just $787 annually, residents pay roughly 29% of the national median tax despite comparable property wealth.

Slightly above average for Virginia counties

Norton's 0.781% rate exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the middle tier of Virginia's tax burden. The city's median tax of $787 remains well below the state average of $1,960, reflecting its lower median home values of $100,700.

Higher than nearby Pittsville County

Norton's rate of 0.781% is notably higher than Pittsylvania County's 0.593%, despite similar median home values in the broader region. Patrick County residents pay roughly the same rate at 0.581%, making Norton's tax burden more comparable to the state average than its immediate neighbors.

Expect under $800 in annual property taxes

On Norton's median home value of $100,700, the effective rate of 0.781% translates to approximately $787 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages may see this figure rise slightly to $1,112 when including local assessments and fees.

Check if your assessment is accurate

Many homeowners across Virginia are overassessed relative to market value, which means your tax bill could be lower than it should be. Consider requesting a reassessment or filing an appeal if your property's assessed value doesn't match recent sales in your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Norton city

via CostByCounty

Norton's rent burden exceeds national norms

Renters in Norton city spend 20.9% of income on rent, compared to the national average of about 28% for all renters, signaling relatively moderate costs for this southwestern Virginia city. However, Norton's median household income of $38,497 falls 49% below the national median of $74,755, making housing less affordable in real terms despite lower percentage costs.

Slightly above Virginia's affordability threshold

At 20.9%, Norton's rent-to-income ratio edges above Virginia's state average of 18.6%, placing it in the middle tier of Virginia affordability. The city's median rent of $670 runs $470 below the statewide average of $1,140, reflecting the lower cost of living in Southwest Virginia.

Norton vs. Patrick and Page counties

Norton's $670 monthly rent sits between Patrick County ($721) and Page County ($851), making it the most affordable rental option among these nearby Southwest Virginia communities. However, Norton renters face the highest burden relative to income in this cluster due to the city's lower median household income.

Where Norton's income goes

Renters spend $670 monthly while homeowners pay $582 in monthly costs, making ownership slightly cheaper than renting for those who can qualify. With median household income at $38,497, Norton residents dedicate roughly 21% to rent or 18% to mortgage payments—tight but manageable for most.

Consider Norton for affordability

If you're seeking low housing costs in Virginia, Norton city offers some of the state's most accessible rents and purchase prices, with median home values under $101,000. Just ensure your income aligns with the local median of $38,497 to maintain true affordability once you arrive.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Norton city

via IncomeByCounty

Norton lags far behind national income

The median household income in Norton city is $38,497—nearly half the national median of $74,755. This $36,258 gap reflects economic headwinds in the region and places Norton in the bottom tier nationally for household earnings.

Among Virginia's lowest-earning areas

Norton's median household income falls significantly below Virginia's state average of $74,957, putting it in the lower quartile of Virginia jurisdictions. The city's per capita income of $27,033 is also well below the state average of $39,155.

Struggling alongside nearby rural counties

Norton's $38,497 median income ranks it below most peer counties in southwest Virginia, though it's comparable to Patrick County ($50,938) and Petersburg city ($50,741). The city's economic profile aligns with other post-industrial communities in the region.

Housing remains affordable but tight

Norton's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio suggests housing remains accessible, well below the 30% affordability threshold, with a median home value of $100,700. However, the low median income leaves limited room for savings, healthcare, and other essentials after housing costs.

Start small, build your future

Even modest households can benefit from consistent savings and low-cost investment options like employer 401(k) plans or Roth IRAs. Consider speaking with a financial advisor about strategies tailored to your income level—every dollar saved compounds over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Norton city

via HealthByCounty

Norton faces stark health gap

At 65.0 years, Norton's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by over a decade—one of Virginia's lowest in the state. Nearly 23% of residents report poor or fair health, well above the national average of roughly 13%. This gap signals deeper challenges in daily health outcomes that demand urgent attention.

Lowest life expectancy in Virginia

Norton ranks at the very bottom of Virginia counties for life expectancy, with a 10.1-year deficit compared to the state average of 75.1 years. Only Petersburg city (64.3 years) performs worse statewide. This distinction underscores Norton's need for targeted health interventions.

Isolated in Appalachian health outcomes

Norton's 65.0-year life expectancy stands 7.9 years below nearby Patrick County (72.2) and 9.2 years below Page County (73.9) in the same region. The disparity extends to poor/fair health rates: Norton's 22.6% aligns with regional struggles, but its neighbors show slightly better trajectories. Geographic proximity masks significant health outcome variations.

Better-than-average coverage, fewer providers

Norton's uninsured rate of 5.9% beats Virginia's state average of 7.9%, indicating strong insurance uptake. However, the city has just 82 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 487 mental health providers per 100,000—meaning access challenges may deter people from seeking care even when insured. Provider density alone doesn't explain Norton's health crisis; prevention and chronic disease management gaps likely play major roles.

Check your coverage today

With 5.9% of Norton residents uninsured, most residents have coverage—but gaps remain. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer options. Ensuring continuous insurance is the first step toward accessing the primary and mental health care Norton residents need to close this life expectancy gap.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Norton city

via RiskByCounty

Norton sits well below national risk average

With a composite risk score of 1.56, Norton city ranks in the very low risk category—significantly safer than the typical U.S. county. This exceptionally low rating reflects the city's minimal exposure to most major natural hazards, making it one of Virginia's most protected communities.

Virginia's safest community

Norton's composite score of 1.56 is less than 5% of Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it at the absolute bottom of the risk scale statewide. The city's protected geography makes it a statistical outlier even within low-risk Virginia.

Dramatically safer than regional peers

Norton's score of 1.56 dwarfs neighboring Wise County and surrounding southwest Virginia communities, which typically score 20-40 points higher. The city's unique position in a valley with minimal flood plains and low seismic activity sets it apart from regional peers.

Earthquakes pose the highest threat here

Even Norton's highest-risk hazard—earthquake risk at 31.77—remains below state average and poses minimal practical concern for residents. Wildfire risk (23.63) and tornado risk (10.81) are substantially lower, reflecting the city's geography and weather patterns.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Norton's very low risk profile means basic homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most properties. Residents should maintain standard coverage but face minimal pressure to add specialized flood or earthquake riders beyond typical policy recommendations.

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.