countyscore
54.5
County Score
Property Tax 73.7Cost of Living 68.4Weather & Climate 66.3

County Report Card

About Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Stronger Performance Than National Peers

Pittsylvania County earns a composite score of 54.0, comfortably beating the national median of 50.0. It offers a higher standard of living than many counties across the United States.

Above the Virginia State Average

The county's score of 54.0 places it above the Virginia state average of 50.9. It represents a solid, middle-to-high performing locality within the Commonwealth.

Low Taxes and Reliable Safety

Taxation is a major strength with a score of 75.3, while a Safety Score of 65.2 ensures a secure environment. Residents benefit from a low 0.593% effective tax rate and median home values around $153,000.

Water Infrastructure and Earning Potential

Infrastructure is a hurdle, as seen in the Water Score of 19.4. Additionally, the Income Score of 23.2 shows that local household incomes of $54,115 lag behind the more urbanized parts of the state.

The Verdict: A Secure and Low-Tax Retreat

Pittsylvania County is ideal for people seeking a safe, low-tax environment without the high price tag of Northern Virginia. It is particularly well-suited for retirees or those with portable careers who value community safety.

2040608010073.768.465.241.23719.636.219.466.3Tax73.7Cost68.4Safety65.2Health41.2Schools37Income19.6Risk36.2Water19.4Weather66.354.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Pittsylvania County DNA

Foverall

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

Pittsylvania County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (73.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (19.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
73.7+21.700000000000003
Cost
68.4+20.400000000000006
Safety
65.2+10.200000000000003
Health
41.2-8.799999999999997
Schools
37-17
Income
19.6-31.4
Risk
36.2-10.799999999999997
Water
19.4-38.6
Weather
66.3+10.299999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Pittsylvania County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$161,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$861/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$161,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $54,085/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.0

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Pittsylvania County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pittsylvania County

via TaxByCounty

Pittsylvania offers low taxes nationally

Pittsylvania County's effective tax rate of 0.593% sits substantially below the national average, and its median tax of just $907 represents only 34% of the national median. This makes Pittsylvania highly attractive for homeowners seeking low tax burdens.

Below average for Virginia counties

Pittsylvania's 0.593% rate falls below Virginia's 0.671% state average, positioning it among the commonwealth's more tax-friendly counties. Its median tax of $907 is less than half the state median of $1,960, delivering substantial savings to residents.

Competitive rates within the region

Pittsylvania's 0.593% rate matches closely with Patrick County's 0.581%, both undercutting Page County's 0.671% and Nottoway's 0.420%. This makes Pittsylvania a reasonably priced option in the south-central region's competitive tax landscape.

Median homes taxed under $1,000 annually

On Pittsylvania's median home value of $153,000, the 0.593% effective rate yields approximately $907 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, this may reach $960 when including additional assessments, but Pittsylvania remains one of Virginia's most affordable.

Review assessments to maximize savings

Even in tax-advantaged counties like Pittsylvania, homeowners should verify their assessed values against recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. An appeal could reduce your tax burden further if your assessment seems excessive relative to market conditions.

Income & Jobs in Pittsylvania County

via IncomeByCounty

Pittsylvania trails national income standard

Pittsylvania County's median household income of $54,115 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by $20,640. While below the national average, the county's income level is higher than the poorest rural areas in the region.

Below Virginia's average, mid-tier county

Pittsylvania County's $54,115 median household income sits 28% below Virginia's state average of $74,957. The county's per capita income of $30,209 is also substantially below the state average of $39,155, indicating wealth concentration.

Lower-middle tier in the region

Pittsylvania County's $54,115 exceeds Patrick County ($50,938) and Petersburg ($50,741) but trails Nottoway ($62,161) and Page County ($59,396). It remains well below the prosperity of Orange County ($94,175) and Poquoson city ($120,919).

Housing costs remain reasonable

Pittsylvania County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing affordable, with a median home value of $153,000 accessible to most households. This moderate housing burden preserves capacity for savings and other essential expenses.

Consistent saving builds security

Pittsylvania County's stable housing costs create space for automatic savings contributions to retirement accounts or education funds. Even $50 monthly set aside consistently can grow to meaningful wealth—explore employer 401(k) matches first to maximize your benefit.

Safety in Pittsylvania County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety in Pittsylvania County

Pittsylvania County boasts an exceptional safety score of 98.7, making it one of the safest regions in the country. The total crime rate of 816.0 per 100K is nearly three times lower than the national average.

A Leader in Virginia Safety

With a safety score well above the state average of 97.3, Pittsylvania ranks high among Virginia’s most secure counties. Its total crime rate is less than half of the Commonwealth's 1,728.8 average.

Lower Crime Rates than Regional Neighbors

Pittsylvania is substantially safer than neighboring Patrick County, reporting nearly 50% less total crime per 100K. Five separate agencies coordinate to keep these rates consistently low.

Very Low Violent Crime Numbers

The county excels in preventing violent crime, with a rate of 109.0 that is far below the state average of 229.7. Property crime is also minimal at 707.0 per 100K compared to the national average of 2,015.7.

Maintain Your Pittsylvania County Safety

Residents can help keep these impressive safety numbers stable by securing their property and vehicles. Even in low-crime areas, smart doorbells provide an extra layer of community awareness and peace of mind.

Weather & Climate in Pittsylvania County

via WeatherByCounty

Typical Mid-Atlantic weather patterns

Pittsylvania County closely mirrors national climate trends with an annual average temperature of 55.6°F. It receives 47.7 inches of precipitation, making it slightly wetter than the national median but typical for the region.

A perfect match for Virginia averages

The county's 55.6°F annual average is nearly identical to the Virginia state average of 55.9°F. Its precipitation level of 47.7 inches also sits just above the state mean of 45.7 inches.

Balanced seasons in the Southside

Pittsylvania sees 22 days of extreme heat, which is moderate compared to the more urban corridors to the east. It experiences 5.8 inches of snowfall annually, significantly less than the 18.6 inches seen in Page County to the north.

Warm summers and temperate winters

July temperatures average 75.5°F, while the broader summer season averages 73.6°F. Winters are cool but rarely extreme, with a January average of 35.7°F and only 5.8 inches of snow over the season.

Standard HVAC and light winter prep

A balanced HVAC system is ideal here to handle the 22 extreme heat days and the cool winter nights. With less than 6 inches of snow, heavy-duty winter equipment is rarely necessary for most residents.

Soil Quality in Pittsylvania County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Piedmont Sands Define the Landscape

Pittsylvania County features an acidic soil profile with a pH of 5.39, which sits well below the national median of 6.5. This land characteristically trends toward more acidic levels than the Virginia state average of 5.23.

A High-Sand Mix for Easy Tilling

The soil contains 58.5% sand and only 14.0% clay, creating a light texture that is easy to work with hand tools. This high sand content provides excellent aeration but means the ground may struggle to hold onto vital nutrients.

Low Organic Matter Requires Soil Building

At 1.27%, the organic matter content is less than half of the Virginia average of 2.90%. The available water capacity of 0.128 in/in also trails the state average, suggesting that crops will need frequent watering or heavy mulching.

Naturally Rapid Drainage Patterns

While specific drainage classes are not recorded, the high sand percentage naturally facilitates quick water movement. This structure prevents root rot but requires careful management of soluble fertilizers to avoid leaching.

Long Growing Seasons in Zone 7b

The mild climate of Zone 7b allows for a wide variety of heat-tolerant vegetables like peppers and sweet potatoes. Start a garden today by adding compost to boost the fertility of this sandy Piedmont soil.

Lawn Care in Pittsylvania County

via LawnByCounty

Balancing Growth and Dry Conditions

Pittsylvania County scores a 58.0 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it slightly easier to manage than the state average. This 7b zone county offers a solid foundation for turf, provided you manage the extreme weather swings.

Reliable Rain with Moderate Heat

The county receives 47.7 inches of rain annually, which is within the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy grass. Residents deal with 22 extreme heat days, which is slightly less intense than the state average of 28.

Amending Sandy, Acidic Soil

The soil is notably sandy at 58.5%, leading to fast drainage that may require more frequent, shorter watering sessions. You will also need to address a low pH of 5.39 to ensure your grass can absorb nutrients effectively.

Facing Severe Drought Pressures

Currently, 100% of the county is in Severe Drought (D2+), a major challenge after 26 weeks of drought this past year. Native grass selections or drought-tolerant fescues are critical choices for this high-stress environment.

Targeting the Spring Window

Wait until after the April 22 frost to start your spring seeding, or aim for late October before the October 23 frost. Given the current severe drought, choosing heat-hardy seeds like improved tall fescues is a smart move.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pittsylvania County's county score?
Pittsylvania County, Virginia has a composite county score of 54.5 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 Pittsylvania County rank among counties in Virginia?
Pittsylvania County ranks #54 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 Pittsylvania County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Pittsylvania County is $948, with an effective tax rate of 0.59%. This earns Pittsylvania County a tax score of 73.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pittsylvania County?
The median household income in Pittsylvania County, Virginia is $54,085 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pittsylvania County earns an income score of 19.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pittsylvania County, Virginia a good place to live?
Pittsylvania County scores 54.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #54 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Pittsylvania 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 Pittsylvania 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.