countyscore
55.5
County Score
Income & Jobs 98.3Disaster 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.

2040608010041.54.369.290.954.298.397.776Tax41.5Cost4.3Safety69.2Health90.9Schools54.2Income98.3Risk97.7Water—Weather7655.5/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Poquoson city DNA

Foverall

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

Poquoson city scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (97.7/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
41.5-10.5
Cost
4.3-43.7
Safety
69.2+14.200000000000003
Health
90.9+40.900000000000006
Schools
54.2
Income
98.3+47.3
Risk
97.7+50.7
Weather
76+20
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Compare mortgage rates in Poquoson city

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$400,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,707/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$400,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$68,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $120,972/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.9

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

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33
Newport News city
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York County
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Norfolk city
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Portsmouth city
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Gloucester County
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Mathews County
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Williamsburg city
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Deep Dives

Poquoson city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

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

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 55.5 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 Poquoson city rank among counties in Virginia?
Poquoson city ranks #48 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 $3,690, with an effective tax rate of 0.92%. This earns Poquoson city a tax score of 41.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Poquoson city?
The median household income in Poquoson city, Virginia is $120,972 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Poquoson city earns an income score of 98.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Poquoson city, Virginia a good place to live?
Poquoson city scores 55.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #48 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.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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