countyscore
29.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 83.1Weather & Climate 65.5Lawn Care 62.7

County Report Card

About Petersburg city, Virginia

A Challenging National Profile

Petersburg city receives a composite score of 29.0, which is well below the national median of 50.0. The city faces significant socio-economic headwinds compared to the national average.

Bridging the Gap to State Averages

At 29.0, Petersburg scores significantly lower than the Virginia state average of 50.9. This highlights an urgent need for local investment to match the prosperity found in other parts of the Commonwealth.

Resilience Against Natural Disasters

The city's greatest asset is its Risk Score of 83.1, indicating very low vulnerability to natural hazards. This stability provides a reliable foundation for long-term infrastructure and residential planning.

Critical Safety and Economic Barriers

Safety is a major concern with a score of 5.3, while the Income Score of 16.2 reflects limited local earning power. A high 0.918% tax rate combined with lower safety scores impacts the overall appeal for new residents.

The Verdict: Opportunities for Urban Pioneers

Petersburg is suited for those committed to urban revitalization who value environmental safety. While economic and security challenges exist, its low disaster risk makes it a resilient site for future growth.

204060801005023.95.328.436.41383.165.5Tax50Cost23.9Safety5.3Health28.4Schools36.4Income13Risk83.1WaterWeather65.529.9/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Petersburg city DNA

Foverall

How Petersburg city compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Petersburg city is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (83.1/100) but notably weak in Safety (5.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
50
Cost
23.9-24.1
Safety
5.3-49.7
Health
28.4-21.6
Schools
36.4-17.6
Income
13-38
Risk
83.1+36.099999999999994
Weather
65.5+9.5
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Petersburg city

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

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$189,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,174/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$189,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$46,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $50,698/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Petersburg city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Petersburg city

via TaxByCounty

Petersburg's tax rate exceeds national norms

Petersburg's effective tax rate of 0.918% ranks above the national median, though its median tax of $1,449 falls below the national median of $2,690. This reflects Petersburg's lower median home values of $157,900 relative to the national average.

Well above Virginia's statewide average

Petersburg's 0.918% effective rate substantially exceeds Virginia's 0.671% state average, making it one of the state's higher-tax cities. With median taxes of $1,449, Petersburg residents pay about 74% of the state median despite significantly lower property values.

Higher burden than surrounding counties

Petersburg's 0.918% rate far exceeds all surrounding counties, including Nottoway's 0.420% and Pittsylvania's 0.593%, placing it among Virginia's most expensive tax environments. Only Poquoson city matches Petersburg's elevated rate at 0.903%.

Plan for $1,400+ in annual taxes

On Petersburg's median home value of $157,900, the 0.918% effective rate yields approximately $1,449 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages may see this rise to $1,529, reflecting Petersburg's elevated rate structure.

Challenge overassessments in high-tax environments

In cities with rates as high as Petersburg's, even small assessment errors translate into significant unnecessary annual costs. Verify your property's assessed value against recent comparable sales and file an appeal if warranted—it could save you hundreds annually.

Income & Jobs in Petersburg city

via IncomeByCounty

Petersburg struggles with income gap

Petersburg city's median household income of $50,741 falls roughly $24,000 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 20% nationally. This significant income deficit reflects years of economic disinvestment and limited job growth.

Virginia's lowest-income city

Petersburg's $50,741 median household income ranks 32% below Virginia's state average of $74,957, among the lowest in the state. The city's per capita income of $29,590 is also substantially below Virginia's average of $39,155.

Tied with Patrick, below regional peers

Petersburg's $50,741 is nearly identical to Patrick County ($50,938) but well below Nottoway ($62,161) and Page County ($59,396). Only Norton city ($38,497) falls further behind, making Petersburg one of Virginia's economically challenged jurisdictions.

Housing costs consume much income

Petersburg's 26.8% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these counties, approaching the stress threshold of 30%, with a median home value of $157,900. This leaves households with tighter budgets after housing, making savings and emergencies more challenging.

Prioritize financial stability first

With higher housing cost burdens, Petersburg residents should focus first on building a modest emergency fund ($1,000–2,000) before investing. Seek out employer benefits, community financial counseling programs, and low-cost banking options to maximize every dollar.

Safety in Petersburg city

via CrimeByCounty

Public Safety Challenges in Petersburg

Petersburg city reports a safety score of 94.5, which falls below the national benchmark. Its total crime rate of 3,460.5 per 100K is higher than the national average of 2,385.5.

City Rates vs Virginia Averages

The city’s total crime rate is double the Virginia state average of 1,728.8 per 100K. Because a single agency reports this data, residents should interpret these numbers as a focused snapshot of city activity.

Comparing Petersburg to Nearby Counties

Petersburg's crime rates are significantly higher than nearby Powhatan County, which reports only 1,331.0 crimes per 100K. This contrast highlights the safety differences between dense urban centers and suburban counties.

High Violent Crime Affects Local Scores

Violent crime is high at 832.8 per 100K, more than triple the state average of 229.7. Property crimes represent 2,627.7 per 100K, which also exceeds national averages.

Prioritizing Security for Petersburg Residents

In high-activity urban areas, visible security measures are vital for effective home protection. Installing reinforced entry points and alarm systems can significantly reduce the risk of property theft.

Weather & Climate in Petersburg city

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and humid southern Virginia climate

Petersburg city is warmer than the national average, posting an annual mean temperature of 58.8°F. The city experiences 47.0 inches of annual precipitation, which is typical for the humid subtropical East Coast.

One of the state's warmer hubs

Petersburg’s 58.8°F average temperature is nearly three degrees higher than the Virginia state average of 55.9°F. This makes it significantly warmer than the mountain counties to the west.

Intense summer heat compared to peers

With 43 days per year hitting 90°F or higher, Petersburg faces more extreme heat than many central Virginia neighbors. Its 47.0 inches of rain is slightly above the state average of 45.7 inches, contributing to high summer humidity.

Long, hot summers and mild winters

July is particularly sweltering with an average of 79.2°F and frequent extreme heat spikes. Winters are relatively mild, averaging 40.3°F from December through February, with January lows rarely staying below freezing.

Focus on high-capacity cooling

The 43 extreme heat days require robust HVAC systems and energy-efficient insulation to manage summer utility costs. Winter concerns are minimal as snow data is limited, suggesting a primary focus on heat mitigation.

Lawn Care in Petersburg city

via LawnByCounty

Easier Growing in the City

Petersburg city earns a lawn difficulty score of 62.7, making it easier to maintain a yard here than in much of the state. This score is significantly higher than the national average of 50.0, indicating favorable conditions.

Intense Heat and Rapid Growth

Petersburg faces 43 extreme heat days, which is much higher than the Virginia average of 28. Combined with 4,497 growing degree days, grass here grows fast but requires plenty of water to survive the summer heat.

Testing for Urban Soil Health

Specific soil data for Petersburg is currently unavailable, which is common in urban city centers. Because city soils are often compacted, a professional soil test and core aeration are highly recommended for new lawns.

Short Dry Spells, But High Exposure

While the city only had 3 weeks of drought in the past year, 100% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Given the high count of 90°F days, lawns can brown quickly without consistent supplemental irrigation.

Early Starts and Late Finishes

With a last frost on April 3 and a first frost on November 3, Petersburg has a long growing season. This extended window is ideal for heat-tolerant grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia that can handle the 43 days of extreme heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Petersburg city's county score?
Petersburg city, Virginia has a composite county score of 29.9 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 Petersburg city rank among counties in Virginia?
Petersburg city ranks #129 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 Petersburg city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Petersburg city is $1,523, with an effective tax rate of 0.81%. This earns Petersburg city a tax score of 50/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Petersburg city?
The median household income in Petersburg city, Virginia is $50,698 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Petersburg city earns an income score of 13/100 on CountyScore.
Is Petersburg city, Virginia a good place to live?
Petersburg city scores 29.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #129 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Petersburg city 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 Petersburg city 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.