countyscore
29
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.

Score breakdown

Tax44Cost23.1Safety5.3Health28.4Schools36.4Income16.2Risk83.1WaterComing SoonWeather65.5
🏛44
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠23.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡5.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤28.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓36.4
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡83.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤65.5
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱62.7
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Colonial Heights city
Virginia
36.9
Chesterfield County
Virginia
43.3
Hopewell city
Virginia
29.7
Prince George County
Virginia
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Dinwiddie County
Virginia
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Charles City County
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Sussex County
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Henrico County
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Deep Dives

Petersburg city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Petersburg city

via CostByCounty

Petersburg faces a severe affordability crisis

Petersburg city's 26.8% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds national norms, placing severe strain on renters who spend more than one-quarter of income on housing. With a median household income of just $50,741 and median rent of $1,132, Petersburg residents face the highest housing burden in this Virginia cluster.

Petersburg ranks among Virginia's least affordable

At 26.8%, Petersburg's rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds Virginia's 18.6% state average by 8.2 percentage points, placing it among the least affordable cities in the commonwealth. The city's median rent of $1,132 nearly matches the state median despite significantly lower incomes, creating a perfect storm of affordability stress.

Petersburg's rents exceed lower-income peers

Petersburg's $1,132 rent rivals Nottoway County and exceeds most rural Southwest Virginia communities despite having one of the cluster's lowest incomes of $50,741. This mismatch creates unsustainable housing costs for Petersburg renters compared to regional peers.

Petersburg's unsustainable housing math

Renters allocate $1,132 monthly while homeowners commit $1,049, creating housing costs that consume over 26% and 24% of the city's median income respectively. Petersburg residents face the tightest housing squeeze in this cluster, with fewer discretionary dollars after covering shelter costs.

Petersburg demands careful financial planning

Petersburg city presents serious affordability challenges despite lower absolute prices; renters and buyers earning near the city median of $50,741 will struggle with housing costs. Only those with incomes substantially above the median should consider relocating here without significant financial stress.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

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.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Petersburg city

via HealthByCounty

Petersburg faces acute health crisis

At 64.3 years, Petersburg's life expectancy is the lowest in Virginia and among America's most challenged regions—11.2 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.1%) reports poor or fair health, nearly double the national average. This gap represents one of the nation's starkest public health emergencies.

Virginia's lowest life expectancy

Petersburg ranks dead last in Virginia for life expectancy at 64.3 years, a devastating 10.8-year gap behind the state average of 75.1 years. Only Norton city (65.0) comes close to this crisis level among Virginia jurisdictions. Petersburg demands emergency-level public health investment and policy intervention.

Profound disparity from regional peers

Petersburg's 64.3-year life expectancy is 8.0 years below Orange County (75.2) and 8.6 years below nearby Chesterfield and Henrico—some of Virginia's healthiest regions just miles away. The city's 24.1% poor/fair health rate stands among the nation's worst, far exceeding any rural county in this profile. This urban-rural disparity masks a crisis of inequality in the Petersburg metro area.

Mental health resources hide access crisis

Petersburg's 7.5% uninsured rate—better than the state average of 7.9%—shows insurance coverage alone doesn't explain the health crisis. Though the city has 597 mental health providers per 100,000 residents (among the highest in Virginia), just 66 primary care providers per 100,000 residents means many lack a consistent medical home. Structural factors beyond provider count—poverty, housing instability, environmental hazards—drive the catastrophic health outcomes.

Coverage is essential, but not sufficient

Petersburg's strong insurance enrollment (7.5% uninsured) shows the community values coverage, yet life expectancy remains in crisis. Visit healthcare.gov or the Virginia Department of Social Services to ensure you have continuous Medicaid or marketplace coverage. But coverage alone cannot solve Petersburg's health emergency; systemic investments in poverty reduction, primary care, and environmental health are equally urgent.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Petersburg city

via SchoolsByCounty

A Small-Scale Urban School Infrastructure

Petersburg city manages an education system comprising 9 total public schools, including 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high school. Across 3 school districts, the county serves a total enrollment of 4,272 students. The infrastructure includes specialized facilities like the Petersburg Regional Alternative school to support diverse student needs.

Closing the Gap in Academic Achievement

The city's 81% graduation rate currently trails both the Virginia state average of 89% and the national benchmark of 87%. While the per-pupil expenditure of $7,869 is nearly on par with the state average, it remains significantly below the national average of $13,000. These factors contribute to a composite school score of 50.7, just above the national median.

Petersburg City Public Schools Leads the Region

Petersburg City Public Schools is the dominant district, managing 7 schools and the entire student population of 4,272. No charter schools currently operate in the city, making traditional public education the primary path for local families. The district also collaborates with regional programs like the Appomattox Regional Governor's School.

A Suburban Setting with Moderate School Sizes

The educational environment is primarily suburban, with 7 schools in suburban locales and 2 in rural areas. Schools maintain an average size of 610 students, ranging from the large Petersburg High with 1,080 students to smaller primary schools like Walnut Hill Elementary. This mix provides a balance between larger secondary environments and more intimate elementary settings.

Finding Your Home Near Petersburg Schools

As you research local neighborhoods, consider how proximity to campuses like Cool Spring Elementary can impact your daily routine. Exploring homes in Petersburg allows families to find a community focused on raising academic standards and student engagement. School quality remains a vital consideration for long-term property value in this historic city.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Petersburg city

via RiskByCounty

Petersburg ranks in the very low risk tier

Petersburg city scores 16.95 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and in the very low risk category. The city's lower-than-typical hazard exposure provides a relatively protected environment compared to most U.S. municipalities.

Among Virginia's lowest-risk jurisdictions

At 16.95, Petersburg scores about 49% below Virginia's state average of 33.27, ranking it among the commonwealth's safest communities. The city's below-average positioning reflects its geographic advantages and distance from certain high-risk hazard zones.

Safer than Dinwiddie, comparable to Richmond area

Petersburg's score of 16.95 edges out nearby Dinwiddie County while sitting lower than most Piedmont region communities with higher flood risks. The city's position in the lower James River valley provides some flood exposure while maintaining overall low risk.

Earthquakes and tornadoes top the list

Earthquake risk (66.09) and tornado risk (28.98) represent Petersburg's most significant hazard exposures, though neither approaches state-average severity levels. Flood risk (36.20) and hurricane risk (68.92) rank third and fourth, creating a varied but manageable threat environment.

Standard homeowners coverage covers most risks

Petersburg residents should ensure homeowners policies include wind coverage for tornado and hurricane preparedness, though direct impacts remain relatively infrequent. Those in mapped flood zones should assess flood insurance needs, as Petersburg's James River location poses localized flooding threats.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

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.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

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.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Petersburg city's county score?
Petersburg city, Virginia has a composite county score of 29 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 $1,449, with an effective tax rate of 0.92%. This earns Petersburg city a tax score of 44/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Petersburg city?
The median household income in Petersburg city, Virginia is $50,741 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Petersburg city earns an income score of 16.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Petersburg city, Virginia a good place to live?
Petersburg city scores 29/100 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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