Patrick County's composite score of 78.2 is 56% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. This exceptional performance reflects a compelling livability value proposition nationwide.
2 / 5
Virginia's strongest livability profile
Patrick County's 78.2 score ranks among the highest in Virginia, significantly exceeding the state average of 70.3. It represents one of the commonwealth's most livable counties overall.
3 / 5
Unbeatable affordability and low taxes
Patrick County excels with a Cost Score of 87.8—among the highest in Virginia—paired with median home values of just $146,500 and monthly rents of $721. Its Tax Score of 85.9 and effective tax rate of 0.581% complete an unmatched affordability profile.
4 / 5
Income potential limited, data gaps significant
Patrick County's Income Score of 16.6 reflects a median household income of just $50,938, limiting earnings opportunities for those dependent on local jobs. Safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality data are not yet available.
5 / 5
Best for retirees and remote workers
Patrick County is tailor-made for retirees, remote workers, and families who can live on modest incomes while maximizing savings through ultra-low housing and tax costs. Its exceptional affordability makes it one of Virginia's most budget-friendly communities for those not reliant on local employment.
Patrick County's composite score of 78.2 is 56% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. This exceptional performance reflects a compelling livability value proposition nationwide.
Virginia's strongest livability profile
Patrick County's 78.2 score ranks among the highest in Virginia, significantly exceeding the state average of 70.3. It represents one of the commonwealth's most livable counties overall.
Unbeatable affordability and low taxes
Patrick County excels with a Cost Score of 87.8—among the highest in Virginia—paired with median home values of just $146,500 and monthly rents of $721. Its Tax Score of 85.9 and effective tax rate of 0.581% complete an unmatched affordability profile.
Income potential limited, data gaps significant
Patrick County's Income Score of 16.6 reflects a median household income of just $50,938, limiting earnings opportunities for those dependent on local jobs. Safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality data are not yet available.
Best for retirees and remote workers
Patrick County is tailor-made for retirees, remote workers, and families who can live on modest incomes while maximizing savings through ultra-low housing and tax costs. Its exceptional affordability makes it one of Virginia's most budget-friendly communities for those not reliant on local employment.
Score breakdown
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🏛85.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Patrick County's effective tax rate of 0.581% sits well below the national average, and its median property tax of just $851 represents only 32% of the national median. This makes Patrick one of the most tax-friendly counties despite its modest median home value of $146,500.
Well below Virginia's statewide average
Patrick's 0.581% rate significantly underperforms Virginia's 0.671% state average, placing it among the commonwealth's more affordable counties. Median taxes of $851 fall far short of the state median of $1,960, delivering savings of over $1,100 annually.
Lowest rates in the south-central region
Patrick County's 0.581% rate ties with Pittsylvania County's 0.593% as the region's most favorable, both substantially undercutting Page County's 0.671%. Only Nottoway County at 0.420% beats Patrick's rate in the broader south-central Virginia area.
Expect under $900 in annual property taxes
On Patrick's median home value of $146,500, the 0.581% effective rate yields approximately $851 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, this may rise to $933 when including local assessments, but Patrick remains one of Virginia's most affordable options.
Confirm your assessment with recent sales data
Even in affordable counties like Patrick, some homeowners are overassessed relative to comparable properties sold nearby. Request a reassessment or file an appeal if you believe your property's assessed value exceeds recent market transactions.
Patrick County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below national averages, delivering genuine affordability in rural Southwest Virginia. Although the median household income of $50,938 falls 32% below the national median, the county's $721 rent keeps housing costs proportionally light.
Patrick County edges below state average
At 17.0%, Patrick County's rent-to-income ratio beats Virginia's state average of 18.6%, placing it among the commonwealth's most affordable counties. The county's $721 median rent runs $419 below the state median of $1,140, reflecting the lower cost of living in rural Southwest Virginia.
Patrick County ties for best affordability
Patrick County's $721 rent sits between Norton city ($670) and Page County ($851), while its 17.0% ratio ties Page County for the best balance among these Southwest Virginia communities. The county's modest income base makes this combination genuinely accessible for working families.
Patrick County's budget-friendly housing
Renters spend $721 monthly while homeowners commit just $512—making homeownership significantly cheaper than renting for those who can qualify. On a median income of $50,938, housing costs consume 17% of earnings whether renting or buying, leaving meaningful room for families to thrive.
Patrick County: rural affordability wins
Patrick County attracts budget-conscious movers seeking rural Virginia living with exceptional affordability, featuring median home values under $147,000 and rents near $721. Families earning the county median of $50,938 will find both renting and buying comfortably sustainable here.
Patrick County's median household income of $50,938 falls nearly $24,000 short of the national median of $74,755. This significant gap reflects limited economic opportunities in this rural southwest Virginia community.
Among Virginia's lower-income counties
Patrick County's $50,938 median household income ranks 32% below Virginia's state average of $74,957, placing it in the lower quartile statewide. The county's per capita income of $32,864 is also notably below the state average of $39,155.
Struggling like nearby rural areas
Patrick County's $50,938 income is comparable to Petersburg city ($50,741) and exceeds only Norton city ($38,497) among nearby communities. It trails Nottoway ($62,161), Page County ($59,396), and is far below Orange County's $94,175.
Housing costs stay manageable
Patrick County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio is favorable, with a median home value of $146,500 within reach for most households. The low housing cost burden is a relative bright spot, preserving household budgets for other essential needs.
Small steps lead to big gains
Patrick County's affordable housing means you can prioritize even small regular savings contributions to retirement or investment accounts. Automatic transfers of $25–50 monthly can compound significantly over decades—ask your employer or bank about setting this up today.
At 72.2 years, Patrick's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 76.4 years by over 4 years, placing it among America's lower-performing counties. Nearly 20% of residents report poor or fair health, tracking above the national average of ~13%. These gaps reflect chronic disease burdens and healthcare access constraints that shape daily life.
Bottom-third performer in Virginia
Patrick's 72.2-year life expectancy ranks in Virginia's bottom third, trailing the state average of 75.1 years by 2.9 years. The county's 19.9% poor/fair health rate is among Virginia's worst, indicating widespread struggles with preventable conditions. This performance signals systemic barriers to health in southwestern Virginia.
Struggling alongside rural Southwest
Patrick's 72.2-year life expectancy sits just slightly below Nottoway (72.6) and notably below Page (73.9), showing a cluster of low-performing rural counties. Its 19.9% poor/fair health rate trails Orange (17.5%) by 2.4 points, highlighting divergent outcomes even within Appalachian Virginia. Patrick faces the most acute health challenges in this regional cohort.
Gaps in insurance and provider access
Patrick's 8.2% uninsured rate exceeds Virginia's state average of 7.9%, though modestly, leaving coverage gaps that complicate healthcare-seeking. The county has only 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 69 mental health providers per 100,000—both critically low for managing chronic disease. Distance to care and insurance uncertainty together deter preventive visits.
Insurance is the foundation
With 8.2% of Patrick residents uninsured and provider access already constrained, getting and keeping coverage is essential. Visit healthcare.gov or contact the Virginia Department of Social Services at 1-800-832-5161 to explore options. Coverage enables early intervention and preventive care that can measurably extend life expectancy in Patrick.
Patrick County's composite risk score of 20.87 places it firmly in the very low risk category, significantly safer than the typical U.S. county. The county's protected geography keeps it well insulated from the natural hazard pressures facing many other American communities.
Among Virginia's safest counties
At 20.87, Patrick County ranks substantially below Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it in the safest third of the commonwealth's counties. The county's below-average positioning reflects a geographic advantage in avoiding the most severe natural hazard exposures.
Safest in the southwest Virginia cluster
Patrick County's score of 20.87 is lower than nearby Pittsylvania County (63.77) and Henry County, making it one of the safer communities in south-central Virginia. The county's elevation and distance from major river systems contribute to its protective profile.
Floods lead among moderate hazard threats
Flood risk (42.27) ranks as Patrick County's primary natural hazard concern, though still below state averages, reflecting the county's terrain and proximity to waterways. Wildfire risk (22.33) and tornado risk (21.31) follow as secondary concerns, while earthquake and hurricane risks remain relatively low.
Standard insurance with flood consideration
Patrick County residents should verify whether their properties fall within FEMA flood zones and obtain flood insurance if needed, particularly those near creeks and river bottoms. Standard homeowners coverage provides adequate protection for most properties in the county's relatively low-risk environment.