countyscore
55.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 98.7Disaster Risk 97.7Health 90.9

County Report Card

About Poquoson city, Virginia

Poquoson Surpasses National Livability Standards

Poquoson city earns a composite score of 55.9, easily outperforming the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high-performing community with strong socio-economic indicators.

Exceeding the Commonwealth Average

Poquoson's 55.9 score is well above the Virginia state average of 50.9. It stands as one of the most affluent and stable small cities in the coastal Virginia region.

Elite Incomes and Robust Health

The city excels with an Income Score of 98.7 and a Health Score of 90.9. Median household incomes are a staggering $120,919, while an 97.7 Risk Score shows remarkable resilience against environmental threats.

High Costs and Tax Burden

High quality comes with a high price, shown by a Cost Score of 3.9 and median home values of $403,000. A Tax Score of 44.9 indicates that residents pay more into the system than many of their state neighbors.

The Verdict: Premium Living for High Earners

Poquoson is the perfect fit for high-income professionals who prioritize health, safety, and community stability. While housing and taxes are expensive, the elite income levels and superior safety provide exceptional value for the investment.

Score breakdown

Tax44.9Cost3.9Safety69.2Health90.9Schools54.2Income98.7Risk97.7WaterComing SoonWeather76
🏛44.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠3.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼98.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡69.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤90.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓54.2
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡97.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤76
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱66.9
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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Deep Dives

Poquoson city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Poquoson city

via TaxByCounty

Poquoson's taxes exceed national levels

Poquoson's effective tax rate of 0.903% ranks well above the national average, and its median property tax of $3,640 substantially exceeds the national median of $2,690. This reflects Poquoson's premium median home value of $403,000, making it Virginia's most expensive market.

Highest-tax city in Virginia

Poquoson's 0.903% effective rate dwarfs Virginia's 0.671% state average by nearly 35%, making it the commonwealth's most expensive tax environment. At $3,640 median taxes, Poquoson residents pay nearly double the state median despite having the state's highest property values.

Premium taxes matching premium real estate

Poquoson's 0.903% rate matches Petersburg's 0.918% as Virginia's highest, though Poquoson's $403,000 median home value far exceeds most comparable communities. Only Orange County's $337,300 median approaches Poquoson's wealth, yet Orange's 0.607% rate is substantially lower.

Expect $3,600+ in annual property taxes

On Poquoson's median home value of $403,000, the 0.903% effective rate yields approximately $3,640 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages face similar obligations around $3,610, reflecting Poquoson's status as Virginia's premium-priced tax environment.

Scrutinize assessments on high-value homes

For Poquoson homeowners paying $3,600+ annually, even modest assessment reductions generate meaningful savings that compound annually. Request a reassessment or appeal if your property's assessed value doesn't align with recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Poquoson city

via CostByCounty

Poquoson's wealth makes housing affordable

Despite commanding $1,634 monthly rent, Poquoson city maintains a healthy 16.2% rent-to-income ratio thanks to a median household income of $120,919—the highest in this cluster and 62% above the national median. High earners can absorb these premium Tidewater-area housing costs with ease.

Poquoson ranks among Virginia's most affordable

At 16.2%, Poquoson's rent-to-income ratio beats Virginia's 18.6% state average, ranking it among the commonwealth's most affordable communities despite commanding the cluster's highest rents. The city's exceptional median income of $120,919 drives this advantage, enabling residents to handle costs far exceeding state norms.

Poquoson commands premium Peninsula pricing

Poquoson's $1,634 rent dramatically exceeds all comparison counties, reflecting its location on the Virginia Peninsula near military and government employment centers. Yet the city's $120,919 median income far surpasses rural Southwest and South-central Virginia counties, making these higher costs proportionally affordable.

Poquoson's affluent housing profile

Renters spend $1,634 monthly while homeowners commit $1,932 to mortgage payments, consuming only 16.2% and 19.1% of the city's $120,919 median income respectively. Poquoson residents enjoy substantial housing security despite premium absolute costs.

Poquoson for high-earning Peninsula movers

Poquoson city suits relocators earning six figures who value proximity to Virginia's military and government employment centers, with median home values near $403,000. The city's exceptional income base means housing costs feel manageable despite being the cluster's most expensive in absolute dollars.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Poquoson city

via IncomeByCounty

Poquoson leads nation on income

Poquoson city's median household income of $120,919 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by a remarkable $46,164, placing it in the top tier of U.S. communities. This affluence is driven by proximity to military and aerospace industries in Hampton Roads.

Virginia's wealthiest city jurisdiction

At $120,919, Poquoson's median household income is 61% above Virginia's state average of $74,957, making it the state's most affluent city. Its per capita income of $49,935 exceeds the state average of $39,155 by 28%.

Clear outlier among Virginia counties

Poquoson's $120,919 substantially surpasses all peer counties—$26,700 ahead of Orange County ($94,175) and more than double Nottoway's $62,161. No other examined Virginia jurisdiction comes close to Poquoson's income level.

Affluence with luxury affordability

Poquoson's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio is among the nation's most favorable, with a median home value of $403,000 well-positioned for high-income households. This exceptional combination leaves substantial flexibility for premium savings, investments, and quality-of-life expenditures.

Maximize your considerable advantage

Poquoson's exceptional income creates opportunities for aggressive wealth-building through diversified investments, real estate appreciation, and sophisticated tax strategies. Work with financial advisors specializing in high-net-worth planning to optimize retirement contributions, estate planning, and wealth preservation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Poquoson city

via CrimeByCounty

Poquoson Ranks Among Nation's Safest Cities

Poquoson city achieves a top-tier safety score of 98.9, far surpassing national averages. Its total crime rate of 721.2 per 100K is one of the lowest in the entire country.

Exceeding Virginia State Safety Norms

Poquoson is significantly safer than the average Virginia county, with a crime rate less than half the state average of 1,728.8. This data comes from a single reporting agency monitoring the city.

Superior Safety Compared to Regional Cities

This city maintains a much higher safety profile than nearby Portsmouth, which struggles with significantly higher crime rates. Poquoson’s 98.9 safety score represents a gold standard for the Hampton Roads region.

Minimal Violent and Property Crime

Both violent crime at 160.3 and property crime at 560.9 are well below state and national benchmarks. These figures suggest a community where serious criminal incidents are relatively rare.

Protecting the Peace in Poquoson

While the city is very safe, property protection remains a smart investment for every resident. Simple measures like high-quality window locks help keep these low crime rates consistent year over year.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Poquoson city

via HealthByCounty

Poquoson's exceptional health outcomes

At 78.2 years, Poquoson's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly 2 years—a notable achievement placing it among America's healthiest small cities. Only 12.2% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national average of ~13%. These metrics reflect strong prevention, healthcare access, and quality of life throughout the community.

Virginia's healthiest community

Poquoson ranks at the top of Virginia for life expectancy at 78.2 years—a full 3.1 years above the state average of 75.1 years. Its 12.2% poor/fair health rate is among Virginia's lowest, indicating excellent disease management and prevention. Poquoson is Virginia's gold standard for health outcomes.

Leader in Hampton Roads region

Poquoson's 78.2-year life expectancy far exceeds nearby counties; it surpasses Orange (75.2) by 3.0 years and Patrick (72.2) by 6.0 years. Its 12.2% poor/fair health rate is the lowest across all eight profiled counties, beating Orange's 17.5% by a significant margin. Poquoson's prosperity and healthcare quality create a stark contrast with rural Virginia's health struggles.

Model access and coverage

Poquoson's 5.0% uninsured rate—the lowest in this group—demonstrates nearly universal coverage across the community. The city has 80 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 79 mental health providers per 100,000, adequate infrastructure for a small city. Strong economic conditions, high educational attainment, and consistent healthcare access work together to produce the state's best health outcomes.

Maintain the health advantage

Poquoson's exceptional health stems partly from its 5.0% uninsured rate—the lowest among the eight counties—showing strong coverage persistence. To keep this advantage, ensure your insurance renews annually at healthcare.gov or through your employer. Poquoson's success proves that universal coverage, provider access, and prevention together create measurably better lives.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Poquoson city

via SchoolsByCounty

A Concentrated and Focused School System

Poquoson city operates a streamlined education system with just 4 public schools catering to 2,055 students. The infrastructure is perfectly balanced with 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. This single-district setup ensures a clear and consistent educational path for students from kindergarten through graduation.

Exceeding State and National Standards

With a 92% graduation rate, Poquoson significantly outperforms both the national average of 87% and the state average of 89%. The county achieves these high results with a per-pupil spend of $7,112, showing high efficiency compared to the national average of $13,000. Its school score of 54.8 perfectly aligns with the Virginia state average.

Unified Under Poquoson City Public Schools

The entire student body is served by the Poquoson City Public Schools district, which manages all 4 local campuses. The system is purely traditional public education with 0% charter school presence. This centralization allows for a tight-knit community feel across the 2,055-student population.

Suburban Excellence in a Tight-Knit Setting

Every school in the city is classified as suburban, reflecting the residential and community-oriented nature of the area. Schools maintain a comfortable average size of 514 students, with Poquoson High being the largest at 690 students. Even the smallest campus, Poquoson Elementary, serves 444 students, ensuring no child gets lost in the crowd.

A Top Choice for Education-Focused Buyers

Poquoson’s high graduation rates and suburban charm make it a premier destination for families looking to buy a home. Real estate near these high-performing schools often holds its value due to the district's strong reputation. Start your home search here to give your children access to one of the region's most effective school systems.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Poquoson city

via RiskByCounty

Poquoson ranks among America's safest cities

Poquoson city scores just 2.35 on the composite risk scale, making it one of the lowest-risk municipalities in the United States. The city's exceptionally protected status reflects a geographic position with minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Virginia's second-safest community overall

At 2.35, Poquoson trails only Norton city (1.56) in Virginia's risk rankings, placing it at the absolute bottom of the state's hazard exposure scale. The city's score represents just 7% of Virginia's state average of 33.27, positioning it as one of the commonwealth's most protected jurisdictions.

Dramatically safer than Hampton Roads region

Poquoson's score of 2.35 stands far below other Hampton Roads communities like York County and James City County, which face substantially higher flood and hurricane risks. The city's peninsula geography and elevation provide unique protection despite proximity to coastal hazards.

Flood risk elevated despite overall safety

Flood risk (62.40) represents Poquoson's most significant natural hazard concern, reflecting the city's peninsula location surrounded by water systems and susceptible to storm surge. Wildfire risk (17.37) and tornado risk (13.01) remain very low, while earthquake and hurricane risks pose minimal practical threats.

Flood insurance critical for waterfront properties

Despite Poquoson's overall safety profile, residents should assess flood insurance needs carefully given the flood risk score of 62.40, particularly those near York River or Back Creek. Standard homeowners coverage provides adequate protection for the vast majority of properties in this exceptionally low-risk city.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Soil Quality in Poquoson city

via SoilByCounty

Coastal Soils in a Maritime Environment

Local soil records for this coastal city remain limited in the national database due to its unique maritime geography. We know the region generally sits at sea level, which dictates much of its subterranean character.

Urban and Alluvial Land Patterns

Specific sand and clay percentages are not currently recorded for this jurisdiction. Coastal environments like this often feature complex alluvial deposits that can vary significantly from one backyard to the next.

Navigating Coastal Nutrient Levels

Data on organic matter and water capacity is currently unavailable for this specific city. Local gardeners typically rely on raised beds to overcome the high water tables and potential salinity common near the Chesapeake.

Tidal Influence Governs Local Hydrology

The lack of specific hydrologic data reflects the complex, water-influenced landscape of this peninsula. Drainage in this area often depends more on tidal cycles and elevation than simple soil texture alone.

Thriving in Warm Zone 8b

Poquoson sits in Hardiness Zone 8b, one of the warmest regions in the Commonwealth. This climate is perfect for growing figs, pomegranates, and late-season tomatoes that benefit from the maritime air.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Poquoson city

via LawnByCounty

Coastal Ease in Zone 8b

Poquoson city features a lawn difficulty score of 66.9, making it one of the easier coastal areas to manage. This city sits in hardiness zone 8b, allowing for a unique selection of warm-season grasses.

Hot Summers and Coastal Rain

Residents see 30 extreme heat days a year, just slightly above the state average of 28. The 47.8 inches of annual precipitation provides a healthy environment, though salt spray can be a factor for coastal properties.

Building on Unknown Grounds

Specific soil data for Poquoson city is currently limited, so local testing is your best defense against failure. In coastal areas, checking for soil salinity and drainage is as important as testing for pH levels.

Staying Alert to Dry Winds

Poquoson experienced 6 weeks of drought over the past year, and 100% of the city is currently abnormally dry. Coastal winds can dry out soil faster than inland areas, so keep a close eye on moisture levels even in humid weather.

Embracing Warm-Season Varieties

Zone 8b is perfectly suited for Saint Augustine or Bermuda grass, which thrive in coastal Virginia heat. Without specific frost data available, focus on planting when soil temperatures consistently remain above 65 degrees.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Poquoson city's county score?
Poquoson city, Virginia has a composite county score of 55.9 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 Poquoson city rank among counties in Virginia?
Poquoson city ranks #44 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 Poquoson city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Poquoson city is $3,640, with an effective tax rate of 0.90%. This earns Poquoson city a tax score of 44.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Poquoson city?
The median household income in Poquoson city, Virginia is $120,919 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Poquoson city earns an income score of 98.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Poquoson city, Virginia a good place to live?
Poquoson city scores 55.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Poquoson 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 Poquoson city with other counties side by side.

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🏛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.