CountyScore

Rappahannock County

Virginia · VA

#66 in Virginia
71.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Rappahannock County, Virginia

Rappahannock outperforms U.S. average

Rappahannock's composite score of 68.0 beats the national median of 50.0 by 36%, positioning it in the upper third of American counties. Strong tax efficiency and solid incomes anchor this respectable profile.

Slightly below Virginia's state average

Rappahannock scores 68.0 versus Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it just below the Commonwealth middle. A 2.3-point deficit reflects minor room for improvement in cost and income dimensions.

Lowest tax burden among the group

Rappahannock leads with tax score 86.3 and an effective rate of just 0.569%—the lowest among all eight counties. Income score of 47.4 and median household income of $98,125 reflect a solid upper-middle-class presence.

Housing costs rising relative to income

Cost score of 59.5 reveals affordability stress, with median rent at $1,384/month and median home value at $490,200—premium pricing. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment limits the complete livability picture.

Suits affluent professionals seeking tax relief

Rappahannock appeals to upper-income professionals and established families willing to accept higher housing costs for exceptional tax advantages and quality rural living. It's ideal for those valuing lifestyle and tax efficiency over affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.3Cost59.5SafetyComing SoonHealth72.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome47.4Risk93.1WaterComing Soon
🏛86.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼47.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡93.1
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 Rappahannock County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alamosa County
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71.2
Median income: $51,445
Grand County
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71.2
Median income: $84,558
Bingham County
Idaho
71.2
Median income: $76,842
Hamilton County
Illinois
71.2
Median income: $61,520
Hancock County
Indiana
71.2
Median income: $91,326

Deep Dives

Rappahannock County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rappahannock County

via TaxByCounty

Rappahannock's tax rate sits below national average

Rappahannock County's effective rate of 0.569% ranks well below the national median of 0.85%, making it one of America's more tax-friendly jurisdictions. The median property tax of $2,787 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting Rappahannock's elevated median home value of $490,200 for a rural county.

Virginia's second-lowest effective tax rate

At 0.569%, Rappahannock boasts one of Virginia's lowest effective rates, trailing only Prince Edward (0.403%) among all state counties. The median annual bill of $2,787 exceeds the state median of $1,960 due to Rappahannock's substantially higher property values.

Rappahannock offers exceptional tax advantages

Rappahannock's 0.569% rate is lower than all immediate peers, including Powhatan (0.634%), Pulaski (0.644%), and Radford (0.703%). For wealthy homeowners seeking low-tax rural communities, Rappahannock leads the region.

Rappahannock's annual property tax bill

On a median home valued at $490,200, Rappahannock residents pay approximately $2,787 per year in property taxes. That's roughly $232 monthly, offering a favorable rate for high-value rural properties.

Affluent Rappahannock owners should verify valuations

With median home values exceeding $490,000, Rappahannock properties are sometimes assessed above true market value. A free reassessment appeal could identify overvaluations and recover thousands in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rappahannock County

via CostByCounty

Rappahannock balances wealth and value

Rappahannock County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% is excellent, supported by median household income of $98,125—more than $23,000 above the national median. Though median rent of $1,384 is among the highest profiled, high incomes here absorb the costs with ease.

Well above Virginia's affordability average

Rappahannock's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% beats Virginia's state average of 18.6%, placing it among the state's most affordable counties by this measure. The combination of high household income and reasonable housing burden makes Rappahannock an outlier.

Similar to Powhatan; homes twice as valuable

Rappahannock and Powhatan share nearly identical rent-to-income ratios (16.9% vs 12.0%), but Rappahannock's median home value of $490,200 far exceeds Powhatan's $381,300. Both cater to affluent households, though Rappahannock attracts those seeking rural character over suburban convenience.

High incomes support premium properties

Renters in Rappahannock pay $1,384 monthly while homeowners face $1,544 in monthly costs on a median home value of $490,200. With median household income at $98,125 annually ($8,177 monthly), housing consumes just 17% of income, leaving ample resources for lifestyle.

Rappahannock: Rural luxury for affluent seekers

Relocating to Rappahannock County appeals to high-earning households ($98,000+) prioritizing rural character and scenic beauty over suburban connectivity. A 16.9% rent-to-income ratio and excellent affordability make this wine-country destination financially feasible for those with strong incomes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rappahannock County

via IncomeByCounty

Rappahannock exceeds national income median

Rappahannock County's median household income of $98,125 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by 31%, reflecting an affluent rural community. The strength stems from wealthy retirees, telecommuters, and professionals drawn to the county's Piedmont character.

Rappahannock ranks among Virginia's top earners

Rappahannock's $98,125 median household income places it in Virginia's top tier, exceeding the state average of $74,957 by $23,168. The county attracts high-income households seeking rural living within reasonable distance of Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia job centers.

Rappahannock earns solidly above peers

Rappahannock ($98,125) exceeds Powhatan ($110,667) narrowly and significantly outearns Prince George ($88,225) and all lower-income counties in this analysis. The county's high per-capita income of $57,136 suggests concentrated wealth among smaller population base.

Housing costs minimal despite pricey homes

Rappahannock residents spend 16.9% of income on rent, well below the national benchmark, even with median home values of $490,200. The low ratio reflects exceptional incomes that dwarf housing costs, enabling substantial discretionary spending and investment.

Pursue aggressive wealth-building strategies

Rappahannock households earning $98,125 can direct $12,000–$22,000 yearly (12–22% of income) to retirement, real estate, and diversified investments. The combination of high income and low housing burden creates ideal conditions for building significant intergenerational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rappahannock County

via HealthByCounty

Rappahannock exceeds national longevity

At 78.8 years, Rappahannock's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 2.7 years, signaling strong population health. With 17.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county sits slightly above the national average of 17.3%, creating a mixed health picture.

Top-tier life expectancy in Virginia

Rappahannock ranks among Virginia's best with a life expectancy of 78.8 years, 3.7 years above the state average of 75.1 years. Its 17.7% poor/fair health rate sits below the state median, reflecting above-average community wellness.

Near peers Powhatan and Prince George

Rappahannock's 78.8-year life expectancy ties Powhatan's second-tier status regionally, trailing only Prince William (80.6 years) and Prince George (78.9 years). The county's 17.7% poor/fair health rate beats Prince George (20.9%) and nearly all comparable rural areas.

Scare primary and mental health providers

Rappahannock has only 27 primary care providers and 108 mental health providers per 100,000—among the lowest provider densities in this analysis. However, 9.6% of residents lack insurance, exceeding Virginia's 7.9% average and potentially compounding provider access challenges in this rural county.

Secure coverage in rural Rappahannock

Limited providers mean every uninsured resident faces barriers to care in Rappahannock. Visit healthcare.gov or contact rural health networks to find coverage and explore telemedicine options that bridge the distance gap.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rappahannock County

via RiskByCounty

Rappahannock ranks among America's safest counties

With a composite risk score of 6.90, Rappahannock is very low risk—far below the national average. The county's rural character and distance from major population centers create particularly favorable natural disaster conditions.

Virginia's second-safest jurisdiction

Rappahannock's score of 6.90 is dramatically lower than Virginia's state average of 33.3, placing it among the commonwealth's most resilient counties. Only Radford city ranks safer in the entire state.

Nearly as safe as Radford; safer than all others

Rappahannock (6.90) ranks just slightly higher than Radford (2.64) but far below Prince Edward (32.4), Powhatan (21.1), and all other Virginia counties. The county's remote rural positioning creates exceptional protection from concentrated hazards.

Wildfire and hurricane pose modest threats

Rappahannock's wildfire risk of 38.5 leads all other hazard types, though it remains below state averages. Hurricane risk of 55.3 ranks second; tornado, flood, and earthquake exposures all fall significantly below state norms.

Standard coverage fully addresses your needs

Rappahannock homeowners can rely on basic homeowners insurance for comprehensive protection against typical perils. The county's exceptionally low disaster risk means specialized policies or riders are unnecessary for most residents.

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.