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Prince William County, Virginia — County Report Card

VA

#112 in Virginia

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
39.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 99.2Health 72.8Water Quality 70.6

County Report Card

About Prince William County, Virginia

A High-Income Hub with Trade-offs

Prince William County holds a composite score of 39.6, falling below the national median of 50.0. While its economic power is vast, other factors weigh down its overall national standing.

Trailing the Commonwealth Median

Despite its wealth, the county's score of 39.6 is lower than the Virginia average of 50.9. Its ranking is impacted heavily by the extreme costs associated with the Northern Virginia market.

Elite Incomes and Health Outcomes

The county scores an incredible 99.2 in income, with a median household earning $128,873. A health score of 72.8 further highlights the benefits of its affluent resident base.

Extreme Costs and Environmental Risks

Affordability is nearly bottomed out with a cost score of 1.2, reflecting a median home value of $500,600. The risk score of 16.8 also indicates higher vulnerability to environmental hazards.

The Professional’s High-Stakes Choice

This county is designed for high-earning professionals who can afford the steep entry price for access to top-tier health and income opportunities. It is less ideal for those seeking a low-stress or low-cost environment.

2040608010039.61.230.572.846.899.216.870.655Tax39.6Cost1.2Safety30.5Health72.8Schools46.8Income99.2Risk16.8Water70.6Weather5539.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Prince William County DNA

Foverall

How Prince William County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Prince William County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (99.2/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (1.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
39.6-12.399999999999999
Cost
1.2-46.8
Safety
30.5-24.5
Health
72.8+22.799999999999997
Schools
46.8
Income
99.2+48.2
Risk
16.8-30.2
Water
70.6+12.599999999999994
Weather
55
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$500,600

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$2,002/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$500,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$80,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $128,873/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.9

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Deep Dives

Prince William County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Prince William County

via TaxByCounty

Prince William leads Virginia in tax burden

Prince William County's effective rate of 0.981% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.85%, placing it among America's higher-taxing jurisdictions. The median property tax bill of $4,910 is 83% higher than the national median of $2,690, driven by the county's elevated median home value of $500,600.

Virginia's highest effective property tax rate

Prince William's 0.981% rate is the highest among all Virginia counties, 46% above the state average of 0.671%. At $4,910 annually, the median tax bill is two and a half times the state median of $1,960, reflecting the county's desirable Northern Virginia location.

Prince William far outpaces regional peers

Prince William's 0.981% rate is significantly higher than Powhatan (0.634%), Prince George (0.782%), and all other surrounding counties. Only Portsmouth (1.069%) approaches this burden, making Prince William the de facto highest-tax zone in central Virginia.

Prince William's substantial annual tax bill

On the county's median home value of $500,600, residents pay approximately $4,910 per year in property taxes. That translates to roughly $409 monthly, making Prince William notably expensive on a tax basis for homeowners in the region.

High-value homes especially deserve reassessment reviews

With median home values exceeding $500,000, Prince William homeowners are particularly vulnerable to overassessment. A free reassessment appeal could identify valuation errors and recover thousands in annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Prince William County

via CostByCounty

Prince William: High income, high costs

Prince William County achieves a rent-to-income ratio of exactly 18.6%—matching Virginia's state average—despite the highest median rent of all eight counties at $2,002 monthly. This affordability is possible only because median household income here is $128,873, the highest of any county profiled and $54,118 above the national median.

Meets Virginia's affordability standard

Prince William's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% equals Virginia's state average, but achieves this through high incomes rather than low rents. At $2,002 monthly, Prince William's median rent is 75% higher than the state average of $1,140, reflecting its position as Northern Virginia's economic engine.

Most expensive overall in the region

Prince William's median rent of $2,002 and median home value of $500,600 dwarf those in Pulaski ($815 rent, $182,500 home value) and Prince Edward ($898 rent, $203,700 home value). Only Rappahannock's home values approach Prince William's, yet even there, renters pay $418 less monthly.

Wealth absorbs premium housing costs

Renters in Prince William pay $2,002 monthly while homeowners face $2,374—the highest owner costs of any county profiled—on a median home value of $500,600. With median household income at $128,873 annually ($10,739 monthly), these costs consume 18.6–22% of income, leaving substantial room for other expenses.

Prince William for high earners only

Relocating to Prince William County requires household income of $120,000+ to afford median housing costs comfortably. The payoff: proximity to Northern Virginia job centers, excellent schools, and a affluent community—but expect to pay a premium for every advantage.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Prince William County

via IncomeByCounty

Prince William ranks among America's wealthiest

Prince William County's median household income of $128,873 towers 72% above the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the nation's top income tier. This exceptional wealth reflects a highly educated, professional workforce drawn by federal agencies, defense contractors, and Northern Virginia's tech economy.

Virginia's top income county by far

Prince William's $128,873 median household income ranks as the highest among Virginia's counties, exceeding the state average of $74,957 by nearly $54,000. The county dominates regional income rankings, reflecting its role as a major federal employment hub.

Prince William far outearns regional peers

Prince William ($128,873) dramatically exceeds Rappahannock ($98,125), Powhatan ($110,667), and all other surrounding counties in this analysis. The income gap reflects Prince William's unmatched concentration of federal jobs, defense contractors, and technology sector employment.

High incomes offset steep housing costs

Prince William residents spend 18.6% of income on rent despite the nation's highest median home values at $500,600, thanks to exceptional incomes. This ratio demonstrates that even expensive housing markets become manageable with sufficient earning power.

Exceptional opportunity to build generational wealth

Prince William households earning $128,873 can direct $15,000–$32,000 annually (12–25% of income) to investments while maintaining comfortable lifestyles. This income level enables aggressive wealth-building through diversified portfolios, real estate, and entrepreneurship.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Prince William County

via CrimeByCounty

Prince William is safer than national averages

Prince William County reports a total crime rate of 1,650.6 per 100,000, staying well below the national average of 2,385.5. This contributes to a respectable safety score of 97.4. Despite its large population, the county maintains a lower crime profile than many national peers.

Matching the Virginia safety standard

The county's safety score of 97.4 is nearly identical to the Virginia average of 97.3. While its total crime rate of 1,650.6 is slightly lower than the state average of 1,728.8, it faces more challenges than smaller rural counties. Six different reporting agencies monitor this high-activity area.

Comparison with surrounding Virginia counties

Prince William's crime rate of 1,650.6 is higher than Prince George's 1,412.0. However, it is significantly safer than Richmond City, where the crime rate surges to 3,820.0. The county serves as a relatively safe suburban hub between more rural areas and major cities.

Property crime vs. violent crime trends

The violent crime rate is 282.9 per 100,000, which is slightly above the state average of 229.7. Property crime is the primary concern, with a rate of 1,367.7 per 100,000 residents. Most interactions with the justice system involve theft or property damage rather than violence.

Securing your Prince William home

Because property crime accounts for 1,367.7 incidents per 100,000, home security should be a priority. Installing smart locks and window sensors can provide an extra layer of protection for suburban households. Vigilance and community watch programs are highly effective in neighborhoods of this size.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Prince William County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Massive and Diverse Education Network

Prince William County operates a staggering 101 public schools, including 63 elementary, 17 middle, and 13 high schools. This massive system serves 90,447 students across 4 districts, making it one of the largest in Virginia. The infrastructure includes alternative and special education schools to meet the needs of a huge population.

High Performance on a Massive Scale

The county maintains an 89% graduation rate, matching the Virginia state average and exceeding the national benchmark. While per-pupil spending of $7,391 is below the state and national averages, the system achieves a solid school score of 53.8. Managing such a large student body while maintaining state-average outcomes is a significant feat.

Prince William County Public Schools Leads

The Prince William County Public Schools district is a titan, managing 98 schools and over 91,000 students. There are no charter schools, as the county relies on its extensive traditional and specialized public school network. Largest schools like Charles J. Colgan Sr. High enroll nearly 3,000 students each.

Predominantly Suburban with Large Campuses

The school landscape is mostly suburban, with 87 schools in suburban areas and 14 in rural settings. Campuses are very large, with an average enrollment of 962 students per school. High schools like Woodbridge and Osbourn Park feel like small colleges, offering incredible diversity and specialized program tracks.

Endless Real Estate Opportunities Near Top Schools

With over 100 schools to choose from, families can find a home that fits any lifestyle, from suburban subdivisions to rural escapes. The county's consistent 89% graduation rate makes it a safe bet for long-term real estate investment and child development. Start your search in Prince William to find a home that matches your educational priorities.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Prince William County

via RiskByCounty

Prince William faces significantly elevated risk

With a composite risk score of 83.2, Prince William ranks as relatively moderate—and substantially above the national average. The county's flood risk of 88.0 and earthquake risk of 80.9 create compounded vulnerability across multiple hazard types.

Virginia's highest-risk county

Prince William's score of 83.2 far exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.3, making it the commonwealth's most hazard-exposed jurisdiction. The county's flood infrastructure challenges and proximity to major faults drive this exceptional risk profile.

Dramatically riskier than all surrounding counties

Prince William (83.2) vastly exceeds Prince Edward County (32.4), Powhatan County (21.1), Prince George County (13.9), and even Portsmouth (54.0). The county's unique geographic and infrastructure vulnerabilities create a distinct risk profile in northern Virginia.

Flooding emerges as critical concern

Prince William's flood risk of 88.0 is exceptionally high, driven by rapidly urbanizing floodplains and aging stormwater infrastructure. Tornado (76.5) and hurricane (83.0) risks also rank significantly above Virginia averages, creating overlapping hazard exposure.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Prince William homeowners must prioritize flood insurance immediately—standard policies exclude water damage, and federally-backed coverage remains available through the National Flood Insurance Program. Also verify windstorm coverage, as tornado and hurricane risks demand robust protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Prince William County

via WaterByCounty

Prince William Maintains High Compliance Grade

Prince William County earns an A grade for drinking water, despite recording three health violations over five years. Its violation rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people remains far below the state average of 126.9. This indicates a very high standard of safety for the public water supply.

Watershed Health Near State Average

About 49.3% of the county's 138 assessed water bodies are impaired, according to the 2022 reporting cycle. Leading causes of failure include E. coli, PCBs in fish tissue, and low dissolved oxygen. This impairment level is slightly higher than the Virginia state average of 46.1%.

Extensive Monitoring in Prince William

Experts utilize 28 monitoring sites to track water quality, recording 13,089 measurements over the last five years. The data primarily covers physical, nutrient, and microbiological groups. This consistent tracking allows for rapid identification of emerging water quality trends.

Quantico Creek Flow Below Normal

The USGS gauge on South Fork Quantico Creek near Independent Hill is currently flowing at 3 cfs. This is only 40% of its long-term mean, indicating significantly drier-than-usual conditions. Lower flows can reduce the watershed's ability to dilute pollutants like E. coli.

Balancing Development and Water Quality

With nearly half of local waters impaired by E. coli and PCBs, residents should exercise caution during recreational contact. Although the drinking water grade is an A, the low flow in Quantico Creek suggests that runoff impacts may be more concentrated. Using rain barrels and reducing fertilizer can help protect the county's stressed watersheds.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Soil Quality in Prince William County

via SoilByCounty

Northern Virginia’s Acidic Soil Foundation

Prince William County shows a pH of 5.13, which is typical for the Northern Virginia region. This level is more acidic than the national median of 6.5 but provides a familiar base for local native flora.

Balanced Silt and Sand Texture

The soil contains 45.1% sand and 38.2% silt, creating a sturdy and versatile silty-sand profile. This provides an excellent structure for both suburban landscaping and smaller agricultural operations.

Superior Water Capacity for the State

Organic matter levels of 2.13% are higher than many central Virginia counties. The water capacity of 0.155 in/in is superior to the state average of 0.143, helping gardens stay resilient during hot spells.

Reliable Moisture Retention for Lawns

While specific hydrologic data is missing, the above-average water capacity suggests excellent moisture retention. This helps suburban lawns and gardens stay green longer during the humid Virginia summers.

Diverse Planting Options in Zone 7a

In Zone 7a, gardeners can thrive with everything from garlic and root vegetables to colorful zinnias. The strong water retention makes this an excellent environment for establishing fruit trees and berry bushes.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Prince William County

via LawnByCounty

Severe Maintenance Challenges in Prince William

Prince William County has a difficult lawn score of 23.3, making it one of the most challenging places in Virginia to maintain a yard. This hardiness zone 7a area requires significant effort and resources compared to the state average of 55.4.

Coping with Persistent Summer Swelter

The county faces 41 days of extreme heat annually, far exceeding the state norm of 28 days. While precipitation data is limited for this area, the high number of heat days places extreme stress on cool-season grasses.

Amending Acidic and Clay-Heavy Soil

Local soil averages a pH of 5.13 and contains 16.7% clay, which can lead to compaction issues if not managed. Homeowners should focus on core aeration and adding lime to counteract the natural acidity and improve root penetration.

Extreme Drought Pressure on Prince William

With 39 weeks spent in drought over the past year, water management is the biggest hurdle for local lawns. 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry, making smart irrigation and the use of drought-hardy cultivars essential.

Focusing on Hardier Grass Selections

In zone 7a, heat-tolerant tall fescue blends offer the best chance of survival against the county's 41 heat days. Without specific frost dates, residents should aim for late summer seeding to allow roots to establish before the next drought cycle.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Prince William County's county score?
Prince William County, Virginia has a composite county score of 39.6 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 Prince William County rank among counties in Virginia?
Prince William County ranks #112 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 Prince William County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Prince William County is $4,910, with an effective tax rate of 0.98%. This earns Prince William County a tax score of 39.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Prince William County?
The median household income in Prince William County, Virginia is $128,873 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Prince William County earns an income score of 99.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Prince William County, Virginia a good place to live?
Prince William County scores 39.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #112 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Prince William 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 Prince William County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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