CountyScore

Poquoson city

Virginia · VA

#93 in Virginia
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Poquoson city, Virginia

Poquoson exceeds national baseline

Poquoson city's composite score of 61.1 is 22% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties and cities. This reflects strong fundamentals despite local affordability constraints.

Below Virginia's state average

With a composite score of 61.1, Poquoson city trails Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the commonwealth's counties and cities. The city underperforms typical Virginia livability benchmarks.

High incomes fuel strong earnings

Poquoson city's standout strength is an Income Score of 62.3, backed by a median household income of $120,919—among the highest in Virginia. This earning potential attracts affluent professionals and established families.

High housing costs limit affordability

Poquoson's Cost Score of 48.9 reflects steep housing prices, with median home values at $403,000 and monthly gross rent at $1,634. Tax rates of 0.903% also consume a portion of residents' high incomes, while safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water data remain unavailable.

Best for high-earning professionals

Poquoson city suits affluent professionals and established families with incomes exceeding $120,000 who can absorb premium housing costs in exchange for community stability. It's a destination for those prioritizing earning potential and professional status over affordability or budget optimization.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76.9Cost48.9SafetyComing SoonHealth81.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome62.3Risk97.7WaterComing Soon
🏛76.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠48.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼62.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Poquoson city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338

Deep Dives

Poquoson city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

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

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

ByCounty Network

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