countyscore
53.5
County Score
Income & Jobs 92.5Property Tax 78.4Disaster Risk 74.5

County Report Card

About Orange County, Virginia

Orange County Outperforms National Benchmarks

Orange County secures a composite score of 52.9, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. This indicates a higher-than-average standard of living across most data categories.

A Strong Performer in the Commonwealth

The county's score of 52.9 beats the Virginia state average of 50.9. Orange County represents a competitive and prosperous segment of the Piedmont region.

High Incomes and Environmental Resilience

A standout Income Score of 93.5 is backed by a strong median household income of $94,175. Additionally, a Risk Score of 74.5 shows the county is well-protected against various natural hazards.

Cost of Living and Water Infrastructure

Prosperity comes at a price, as evidenced by a Cost Score of 14.2 and median home values of $337,300. The Water Score of 16.1 suggests that improvements in local water quality or utility access are necessary.

The Verdict: Prime for High-Earning Families

Orange County is a top-tier choice for established professionals and families seeking high income potential and safety. While housing is expensive, the economic stability and low environmental risk provide a solid foundation.

2040608010078.413.657.558.158.792.574.516.163.5Tax78.4Cost13.6Safety57.5Health58.1Schools58.7Income92.5Risk74.5Water16.1Weather63.553.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Orange County DNA

Foverall

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

Orange County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (92.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (16.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
78.4+26.400000000000006
Cost
13.6-34.4
Safety
57.5
Health
58.1+8.100000000000001
Schools
58.7
Income
92.5+41.5
Risk
74.5+27.5
Water
16.1-41.9
Weather
63.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Orange County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$364,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,205/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$364,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$48,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $94,008/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.1

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Orange County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Orange County

via TaxByCounty

Orange County taxes align with national levels

Orange County's effective tax rate of 0.607% sits slightly below the national median, but its median property tax of $2,048 closely mirrors the national median of $2,690. This reflects Orange County's higher median home values of $337,300, placing it above the national average.

Moderate burden compared to Virginia counties

Orange's 0.607% rate falls slightly below Virginia's 0.671% state average, yet its median tax of $2,048 exceeds the statewide median of $1,960. This paradox reflects Orange's status as a more affluent county with significantly higher property values.

Higher taxes than surrounding counties

Orange County's $2,048 median tax substantially exceeds Page County's $1,489 and Pittsylvania County's $907, reflecting its premium real estate market. Its 0.607% rate also runs higher than Patrick County's 0.581%, making Orange one of the region's pricier tax environments.

Expect over $2,000 in annual property taxes

On Orange's median home value of $337,300, the 0.607% effective rate yields approximately $2,048 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders may see this figure remain stable at around $2,069 when including additional assessments.

High-value homes warrant assessment review

In a market like Orange where properties command premium prices, accurate assessments are critical—overassessments directly impact larger dollar amounts. If your home's assessed value seems out of step with recent sales of similar properties, an appeal could justify the effort.

Income & Jobs in Orange County

via IncomeByCounty

Orange County outpaces nation on income

Orange County's median household income of $94,175 substantially exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $19,420, placing it comfortably in the upper tier of U.S. counties. This $94,175 figure represents prosperity well above typical American households.

Virginia's wealthiest county communities

At $94,175, Orange County's median household income exceeds Virginia's state average of $74,957 by 26%, ranking it among the state's most affluent jurisdictions. Its per capita income of $45,021 also surpasses the state average of $39,155 by 15%.

Clear leader in the region

Orange County's $94,175 income substantially outpaces peer counties—it's $32,000 ahead of Nottoway ($62,161) and nearly double Norton's $38,497. Only Poquoson city ($120,919) surpasses Orange among Virginia's wealthier communities.

Prosperity with room to spare

Orange County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio is among Virginia's lowest, with a median home value of $337,300 comfortably within reach for most households. This strong income-to-housing ratio leaves substantial flexibility for discretionary spending and wealth accumulation.

Leverage your income advantage

Orange County's high median income creates an ideal environment for aggressive wealth-building through diversified investments, retirement contributions, and real estate. Consider working with a financial advisor to optimize tax strategies and build a portfolio aligned with your long-term goals.

Safety in Orange County

via CrimeByCounty

Orange County Surpasses National Safety Standards

Orange County earns an impressive 98.5 safety score, placing it well above the national baseline. Its total crime rate of 978.3 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top Performer in the Commonwealth

The county's total crime rate is nearly half the Virginia average of 1,728.8 per 100K. Four reporting agencies coordinate to maintain a safety score that exceeds the state average of 97.3.

Comparing Orange to Regional Neighbors

Orange County maintains a more secure environment than neighboring Page County, which has a higher crime rate of 1,427.2. Its consistent safety performance makes it a standout for the region.

Low Property Crime Drives Local Safety

The property crime rate of 721.4 per 100K is remarkably low compared to the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime stands at 256.9, which slightly exceeds the Virginia state average of 229.7.

Vigilance Protects Your Orange County Home

High safety scores are best maintained through proactive community awareness and home security. Installing outdoor motion lighting and smart locks provides an effective deterrent against property theft.

Weather & Climate in Orange County

via WeatherByCounty

A quintessential Virginia climate profile

Orange County averages 55.9°F annually, which aligns perfectly with the state average. It receives 44.4 inches of precipitation, making for a standard Mid-Atlantic environment.

The benchmark for Virginia weather

Matching the state average of 55.9°F exactly, Orange County represents the typical Virginia weather experience. It avoids the coastal heat and the mountain chill.

Colder than the southern Piedmont

Orange is notably cooler than Nottoway County, which averages 57.6°F. It also receives much more snow than its southern neighbors.

Real winters and hot summers

The county experiences 15.9 inches of snow annually, making it one of the snowier spots in this list. Summer features 28 days of extreme heat reaching at least 90°F.

Prepare for four distinct seasons

Residents need both snow shovels for the 15.9 inches of snow and efficient cooling for the 28 heat days. This climate requires a full range of seasonal clothing and home prep.

Soil Quality in Orange County

via SoilByCounty

Orange County's Acidic Profile

The average pH here is 5.32, sitting just above the state average but far below the national median of 6.5. This moderately acidic soil is a hallmark of the central Virginia landscape.

Silty and Stable Soils

Orange County has a balanced mix of 41.2% silt and 39.4% sand. The 19.4% clay content is higher than many coastal counties, offering better nutrient retention and structural stability.

Excellent Moisture Retention

The available water capacity is 0.161 in/in, outperforming the state average of 0.143. However, organic matter is low at 1.55%, suggesting that soil health could be improved with cover crops.

Reliable Water Storage

A high available water capacity means these soils are resilient during dry spells. The balanced silt and clay content helps prevent the rapid leaching of nutrients found in sandier regions.

Fruit and Vine Potential

The Zone 7a climate and silty soil are excellent for orchards and vineyards. Enrich your soil with organic material to create a robust foundation for a home garden.

Lawn Care in Orange County

via LawnByCounty

Standard Challenges in Zone 7a

Orange County scores 53.1 for lawn difficulty, placing it just behind the state average of 55.4. Homeowners in this 7a hardiness zone face slightly more obstacles than the national median of 50.0.

Average Rainfall with Regular Heat

Annual precipitation of 44.4 inches sits just below the state average, requiring supplemental watering during peak summer. The county averages 28 extreme heat days per year, matching the Virginia state average exactly.

Overcoming Low Soil pH

Orange County soil has a pH of 5.32, which is significantly more acidic than the ideal 6.0 threshold for grass. With 19.4% clay content, the soil can compact easily, making aeration and lime treatments vital for a healthy lawn.

Enduring a Long Drought Cycle

Lawns here faced a challenging 34 weeks of drought over the past year. Since 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry, keeping your mower deck high can help shade the soil and retain precious moisture.

Maximizing the Growing Season

The window between the April 17 last frost and October 30 first frost provides ample time for turf establishment. Tall fescue is a resilient choice for this zone, especially given the history of dry spells in the county.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Orange County's county score?
Orange County, Virginia has a composite county score of 53.5 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 Orange County rank among counties in Virginia?
Orange County ranks #64 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 Orange County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Orange County is $1,997, with an effective tax rate of 0.55%. This earns Orange County a tax score of 78.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Orange County?
The median household income in Orange County, Virginia is $94,008 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Orange County earns an income score of 92.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Orange County, Virginia a good place to live?
Orange County scores 53.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #64 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Orange 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 Orange County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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