CountyScore

Powhatan County

Virginia · VA

#30 in Virginia
73.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Powhatan County, Virginia

Powhatan scores well above U.S. median

Powhatan's composite score of 71.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, ranking it firmly in the upper echelon of American counties. This strong baseline reflects solid fundamentals across the three measured dimensions.

Slightly above Virginia's average

Powhatan scores 71.0 versus Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it just above the Commonwealth median. Though the margin is narrow, Powhatan holds its own among Virginia's diverse county portfolio.

Lower taxes and higher incomes

Powhatan shines with a tax score of 84.4 and income score of 55.6, thanks to an effective tax rate of 0.634% and median household income of $110,667. The cost score of 64.7 adds affordability relative to income, creating solid household financial health.

Incomplete picture on safety and schools

Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable for Powhatan, limiting visibility into community wellbeing beyond fiscal measures. These gaps prevent a complete livability assessment.

Appeal for affluent families seeking balance

Powhatan is ideal for middle-to-upper-income households balancing earning potential with tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs. Its profile suggests a comfortable suburban lifestyle without the premium price tags of Virginia's hottest markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.4Cost64.7SafetyComing SoonHealth78.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome55.6Risk78.9WaterComing Soon
🏛84.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠64.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼55.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡78.9
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 Powhatan County with another county →

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Sullivan County
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Median income: $54,985

Deep Dives

Powhatan County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Powhatan County

via TaxByCounty

Powhatan's tax rate sits slightly below national average

Powhatan County's effective rate of 0.634% is lower than the national median of 0.85%, positioning it as a relatively affordable jurisdiction nationally. Residents pay a median tax of $2,418 annually on homes valued at $381,300—higher than the national median tax because of the county's significantly higher home values.

Powhatan ranks among Virginia's lower-tax counties

With an effective rate of 0.634%, Powhatan sits slightly below Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the commonwealth. The median annual tax of $2,418 is modestly above the state median of $1,960, driven entirely by Powhatan's affluent property market.

Powhatan's advantageous position versus regional peers

Powhatan's 0.634% rate beats Prince George County (0.782%) and Portsmouth (1.069%) significantly, though it ranks slightly below Rappahannock (0.569%). For high-value homes, Powhatan offers one of Virginia's most competitive tax rates among wealthy suburban counties.

Estimated annual Powhatan property tax

On Powhatan's median home value of $381,300, residents pay approximately $2,418 per year in property taxes. That works out to about $201 monthly, making it an attractive option for affluent homeowners seeking lower-tax jurisdictions within Virginia.

Reassessment appeals can yield tax relief

Even in lower-tax Powhatan, many homeowners are assessed above their property's true market value. Filing a free appeal during your county's reassessment cycle could reduce your valuation and save you hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Powhatan County

via CostByCounty

Powhatan: Affluent and affordable

Powhatan County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.0% is exceptionally low—well below the comfortable 20–25% threshold and a fraction of the national median household income disadvantage. With median household income at $110,667, residents here earn $35,912 more than the national median, giving them substantial breathing room despite higher absolute rents.

Most affordable among wealthy Virginia counties

Powhatan's 12.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks as one of Virginia's best, beating the state average of 18.6% by a wide margin. This combination of high incomes and moderate housing costs makes Powhatan a rare afford-luxury market in the state.

Richer than Rappahannock, similar affordability

Powhatan and Rappahannock County both achieve excellent rent-to-income ratios (12.0% vs 16.9%), but Powhatan households earn notably more: $110,667 versus $98,125 annually. Both offer breathing room for renters, though Powhatan's income cushion is larger.

High income absorbs higher housing costs

Renters in Powhatan pay $1,107 monthly while homeowners face $1,548 in monthly costs on a median home value of $381,300. The median household income of $110,667 annually ($9,222 monthly) easily absorbs these costs, leaving room for savings and other expenses.

Powhatan rewards high earners with ease

If you're relocating with a strong income, Powhatan County offers the rare combination of affluent neighbors and genuine affordability—just 12% of income goes to rent. The median home value of $381,300 remains accessible to households earning $110,000+, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing financial flexibility.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Powhatan County

via IncomeByCounty

Powhatan ranks among nation's wealthiest

Powhatan's median household income of $110,667 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 48%, placing the county in the top income tier nationally. This affluence reflects a prosperous suburban economy anchored by educated professionals and strong regional growth.

Powhatan leads Virginia's income rankings

Powhatan's $110,667 median household income ranks among Virginia's top 10 counties, exceeding the state average of $74,957 by $35,710. The county's wealth reflects its proximity to Richmond and strong regional investment.

Powhatan outearns most surrounding areas

Powhatan ($110,667) significantly exceeds Rappahannock ($98,125) and Prince George ($88,225), though trails Prince William ($128,873). The differences reflect Powhatan's mix of rural estates, suburban development, and Richmond-area commuters earning professional salaries.

Housing costs are minimal burden

Powhatan residents allocate just 12.0% of income to rent—the lowest ratio among these eight counties—despite median home values of $381,300. This low housing burden reflects strong incomes relative to property costs, leaving substantial income for savings and investment.

Powhatan households can invest aggressively

With $110,667 annual income and minimal housing costs, Powhatan households can dedicate 15–25% to retirement, college, and wealth-building—totaling $16,600–$27,667 yearly. This capacity for early and significant investing positions families to build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Powhatan County

via HealthByCounty

Powhatan outpaces national health benchmarks

At 77.9 years, Powhatan's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by nearly two years, reflecting strong community health outcomes. Just 13.2% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 17.3%, placing Powhatan among Virginia's healthiest counties.

Top-tier health outcomes within Virginia

Powhatan ranks among Virginia's best for life expectancy, surpassing the state average of 75.1 years by 2.8 years. Its 13.2% poor/fair health rate stands significantly below Virginia's average, reflecting consistent health advantages across the county.

Outshines Prince William and peers

Powhatan's 77.9-year life expectancy trails only Prince William County (80.6 years) and Prince George (78.9 years) in the region. The county's low poor/fair health rate of 13.2% beats every comparable jurisdiction, signaling exceptional community wellness.

Limited mental health access despite strong basics

Powhatan offers solid primary care (55 providers per 100,000) but minimal mental health infrastructure with only 56 providers per 100,000—the lowest in this group. With a 6.3% uninsured rate, residents enjoy strong insurance coverage, well below the state average of 7.9%.

Maintain your health advantage here

Powhatan's strong outcomes depend on continued insurance access and preventive care. Verify your coverage at healthcare.gov to sustain the county's excellent health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Powhatan County

via RiskByCounty

Powhatan ranks among America's safest

With a composite risk score of 21.1, Powhatan is very low risk—substantially below the national average. The county's inland location shields it from hurricane and coastal flooding threats that affect many American communities.

Well below Virginia's average risk

Powhatan's score of 21.1 is significantly lower than Virginia's state average of 33.3, making it one of the commonwealth's safest counties. This favorable profile reflects the county's distance from the coast and major seismic faults.

Among the region's lowest-risk counties

Powhatan (21.1) ranks similarly to Prince Edward County (32.4) but well below Prince William County (83.2) and Portsmouth (54.0). The central Virginia location creates substantially lower hazard exposure than coastal or high-risk nearby areas.

Earthquake risk exceeds all other hazards

While Powhatan faces very low overall risk, earthquake exposure at 72.2 slightly surpasses other hazard types, though severe seismic events remain rare in central Virginia. Tornado risk of 26.1 and hurricane risk of 61.5 are notably lower than in coastal counties.

Standard coverage protects most residents

Powhatan homeowners can typically rely on standard homeowners insurance for most common perils. Consider earthquake coverage only if you own older structures, but property protection remains straightforward in this low-risk county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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