countyscore
58.9
County Score
Cost of Living 90.4Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 79.2

County Report Card

About Patrick County, Virginia

Patrick County's High National Standing

With a composite score of 58.1, Patrick County ranks significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high overall quality of life relative to the rest of the country.

Outpacing the Virginia State Average

Patrick County's 58.1 score far exceeds the Virginia average of 50.9. It stands out as one of the state's hidden gems for overall livability and value.

Affordability and Superior Water Quality

The county boasts an 87.8 Cost Score and an 86.0 Water Score, signaling high affordability and clean resources. Home values are very accessible at a median of $146,500, with gross rents averaging only $721.

Lower Wages and Safety Gaps

Income is the main challenge with a score of 16.6, reflecting a median household income of $50,938. The Safety Score of 32.9 suggests there is room for improvement in community security and crime rates.

The Verdict: Perfect for Value-Seeking Nature Lovers

Patrick County is a premier destination for retirees and remote workers who prioritize affordable housing and excellent water quality. Its low cost of living and environmental strengths make it a standout for those with stable outside income.

2040608010078.290.432.940.751.117.479.28671Tax78.2Cost90.4Safety32.9Health40.7Schools51.1Income17.4Risk79.2Water86Weather7158.9/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Patrick County DNA

Foverall

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

Patrick County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (90.4/100) but notably weak in Income (17.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
78.2+26.200000000000003
Cost
90.4+42.400000000000006
Safety
32.9-22.1
Health
40.7-9.299999999999997
Schools
51.1
Income
17.4-33.6
Risk
79.2+32.2
Water
86+28
Weather
71+15
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Patrick County?

Many homeowners in Patrick County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$153,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$716/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$153,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,038/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.4

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Patrick County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Patrick County

via TaxByCounty

Patrick County offers substantial tax savings

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.

Income & Jobs in Patrick County

via IncomeByCounty

Patrick County well below national income

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.

Safety in Patrick County

via CrimeByCounty

Patrick County Maintains Strong Safety Score

Patrick County secures a 97.5 safety score, keeping it well ahead of national crime trends. The local total crime rate of 1,574.2 per 100K is approximately 34% lower than the national average.

Competitive Safety within the Commonwealth

The county's total crime rate stays below the Virginia state average of 1,728.8. Two reporting agencies provide the data that confirms Patrick County is safer than the state average score of 97.3.

Neighboring Trends in Southern Virginia

Patrick County's crime rate of 1,574.2 is higher than Pittsylvania’s 816.0, yet it remains much lower than the national average. This data reflects the generally secure nature of rural Southern Virginia.

Analyzing the Local Crime Breakdown

Violent crime sits at 288.8 per 100K, which is higher than the state average of 229.7. Property crimes account for 1,285.4 per 100K, making up the largest share of local law enforcement activity.

Securing Your Property in Patrick County

Homeowners can help maintain local safety through community watch programs and basic security measures. Reliable locks and motion-activated cameras offer essential protection for rural properties.

Weather & Climate in Patrick County

via WeatherByCounty

A wet and temperate highland climate

Patrick County’s average annual temperature of 55.2°F sits near the national median, but its rainfall is extraordinary. The county receives 55.1 inches of annual precipitation, far exceeding the typical U.S. experience.

One of Virginia's wettest counties

While the average temperature of 55.2°F is close to the state average of 55.9°F, the moisture levels are much higher. Patrick County receives nearly 10 inches more rain annually than the average Virginia county.

Lower heat risk than the Piedmont

Patrick County records only 13 days a year over 90°F, which is lower than many of its eastern neighbors. It also sees 7.4 inches of annual snowfall, providing a moderate winter experience compared to the higher Blue Ridge peaks.

Mild summers and steady precipitation

The July average is a comfortable 73.5°F, kept in check by frequent rainfall and elevation. Winters are manageable with a January average of 36.2°F and a winter seasonal average of 37.9°F.

Invest in drainage and rain gear

With over 55 inches of annual rain, high-quality gutters and proper property drainage are essential investments for homeowners. Residents can rely less on heavy cooling systems given the low frequency of extreme heat days.

Soil Quality in Patrick County

via SoilByCounty

Top-Tier Piedmont Soils

Patrick County achieves a soil score of 31.9, the highest in this group and well above the state average. Its pH of 5.22 is nearly identical to the Virginia state average.

Sandy Loam Characteristics

The soil is comprised of 51.2% sand and 32.3% silt, creating a texture that balances drainage with workability. The 16.5% clay content helps maintain essential minerals for plant growth.

Above-Average Soil Health

Organic matter content is strong at 3.07%, exceeding the state average of 2.90%. While the water capacity of 0.136 in/in is slightly below the state average, the high organic matter aids in moisture management.

Effective Natural Drainage

The 51.2% sand content ensures that water moves through the soil effectively, preventing saturated roots. This makes the land suitable for a wide variety of gardening and construction projects.

Abundance in Zone 7b

Your soil is naturally more fertile than many other parts of the state. With a Zone 7b climate, you can successfully grow everything from tomatoes to blueberries in your own backyard.

Lawn Care in Patrick County

via LawnByCounty

A Wetter Climate for Zone 7b

Patrick County’s lawn difficulty score of 56.0 is slightly better than the state average of 55.4. This 7b hardiness zone offers a relatively hospitable environment compared to the national baseline.

High Rainfall and Low Heat

Lawns benefit from a robust 55.1 inches of annual precipitation, far exceeding the state average of 46.0 inches. With only 13 extreme heat days, your lawn is less likely to scorch than in other parts of Virginia.

Managing Sandy Soil Mixes

The soil contains 51.2% sand, which promotes good drainage but may lead to nutrient leaching. At a pH of 5.22, you will need to add lime to move the soil closer to the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for turf.

Severe Pockets of Recent Drought

Despite high annual rainfall, 4.2% of the county is currently in Severe Drought (D2). With 22 weeks of drought in the past year, installing a rain barrel can help you manage the 100% dry conditions currently affecting the area.

Ideal Timing for Patrick County

Your primary growing season runs from the last frost on April 21 to the first frost on October 27. The high annual moisture makes this an excellent spot for high-quality tall fescue lawns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Patrick County's county score?
Patrick County, Virginia has a composite county score of 58.9 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 Patrick County rank among counties in Virginia?
Patrick County ranks #28 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 Patrick County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Patrick County is $845, with an effective tax rate of 0.55%. This earns Patrick County a tax score of 78.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Patrick County?
The median household income in Patrick County, Virginia is $53,038 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Patrick County earns an income score of 17.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Patrick County, Virginia a good place to live?
Patrick County scores 58.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #28 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Patrick 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 Patrick 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.