countyscore
54.1
County Score
Property Tax 82.5Schools 64.6Lawn Care 58.5

County Report Card

About Shenandoah County, Virginia

Strong National Standing

Shenandoah County scores a 53.4, keeping it well above the national median of 50.0. It offers a balanced profile that performs better than half of the counties in the United States.

Beating the State Benchmark

The county's overall score of 53.4 exceeds the Virginia state average of 50.9. This performance highlights its appeal as a stable and attractive alternative to more congested Virginia regions.

Low Taxes and Solid Schools

Residents benefit from a high tax score of 81.0, driven by a low effective tax rate of 0.546%. Furthermore, the school score of 64.6 indicates a strong educational foundation for local families.

Water and Housing Costs

The water score of 12.7 is quite low, pointing toward potential resource or infrastructure concerns. A cost score of 28.2 also indicates that housing, with a median home value of $265,800, is becoming less affordable.

Ideal for Value-Seeking Families

This county suits families who prioritize education and low property taxes while maintaining a decent income level. It offers a classic Virginia lifestyle with better financial metrics than many of its neighbors.

2040608010082.529.654.358.464.65540.212.758.4Tax82.5Cost29.6Safety54.3Health58.4Schools64.6Income55Risk40.2Water12.7Weather58.454.1/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Shenandoah County DNA

Foverall

How Shenandoah County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Shenandoah County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (82.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (12.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.5+30.5
Cost
29.6-18.4
Safety
54.3
Health
58.4+8.399999999999999
Schools
64.6+10.599999999999994
Income
55
Risk
40.2
Water
12.7-45.3
Weather
58.4
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Compare mortgage rates in Shenandoah County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$294,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$984/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$294,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,191/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.9

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

Hardy County
West Virginia
56.3
Page County
Virginia
51.5
Warren County
Virginia
51.9
Frederick County
Virginia
55
Rappahannock County
Virginia
60.7
Winchester city
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35.7
Hampshire County
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63.4
Clarke County
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64

Deep Dives

Shenandoah County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Shenandoah County

via TaxByCounty

Shenandoah County taxes well below U.S. median

Shenandoah County's effective tax rate of 0.546% ranks among Virginia's lowest and is significantly below the national median property tax of $2,690. On the national median home value of $281,900, this rate would yield annual taxes of roughly $1,539—nearly 43% less than typical U.S. homeowners pay.

One of Virginia's lowest tax rates

At 0.546%, Shenandoah County claims one of the Commonwealth's most favorable effective tax rates, about 19% below Virginia's 0.671% state average. The median property tax of $1,451 is roughly 26% below the state median of $1,960, making Shenandoah an especially affordable option for Virginia homeowners.

Lowest rate in the southwestern region

Shenandoah County's 0.546% rate undercuts nearby Scott County (0.675%) and Smyth County (0.609%), offering the region's best tax value. This low rate applies to homes averaging $265,800—higher than neighboring counties—making Shenandoah competitive for buyers seeking both affordability and value.

Median Shenandoah tax runs about $1,451

On Shenandoah County's median home value of $265,800, homeowners pay roughly $1,451 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes total $1,390; without one, $1,581—reflecting the county's exceptionally low rate even on mid-range home values.

Review your assessment; savings possible

Even low-tax counties see some homes overassessed relative to fair market value. If your home's tax assessment seems high compared to recent sales in your neighborhood, you can file an appeal with Shenandoah County's assessor at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Shenandoah County

via IncomeByCounty

Shenandoah County earns below national average

Shenandoah County's median household income of $64,437 sits 13.8% below the national median of $74,755. While the gap is narrower than many rural counties, households still earn roughly $10,300 less than the typical American family.

Below state average but solidly middle tier

Shenandoah County earns $10,520 less than Virginia's state median of $74,957 and trails per capita income by $3,795. The county ranks in Virginia's middle range, outperforming struggling southwestern counties while falling short of the state's wealthiest regions.

Competitive with regional counterparts

Shenandoah County's $64,437 income significantly exceeds nearby Scott County ($45,136) and Smyth County ($46,859), but trails Southampton County ($68,465). The Shenandoah Valley region shows varied economic performance, with larger employers and agricultural diversity creating income variation.

Housing affordability improves quality of life

At 18.0% of income, Shenandoah County's rent-to-income ratio remains well below the affordability threshold, meaning most households spend less than $10,000 yearly on housing. A median home value of $265,800 remains within reach for households earning $64,437 with conventional financing.

Strategic savings unlock long-term wealth

Shenandoah County's affordable housing creates breathing room for families to save and invest in their future. Take advantage of lower housing costs to maximize retirement contributions, build emergency funds, and explore real estate investment opportunities in the growing Shenandoah Valley.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Shenandoah County

via CrimeByCounty

Strong Safety Profile in Shenandoah

Shenandoah County has a total crime rate of 1033.0 per 100K, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This low rate earns the county a stellar safety score of 98.4.

Surpassing the State Safety Average

With a score of 98.4, the county is significantly safer than the Virginia average of 97.3. It ranks as one of the most secure regions in the Commonwealth.

Regional Leaders in Public Safety

The county’s crime rate of 1033.0 per 100K is slightly higher than Rockingham County’s 836.7. Even so, it remains far below the state average total crime rate of 1728.8.

Extremely Low Violent Crime Frequency

Violent crime is minimal at 162.4 per 100K, while property crime is also low at 870.6. These figures represent some of the lowest crime levels in the region and the state.

Maintain the County's Safety Record

Safety is a community-wide effort that starts with individual home security. Residents can help maintain these low rates by ensuring their homes are well-lit and properly secured.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Shenandoah County

via WeatherByCounty

A cool, northern-style mountain climate

Shenandoah County averages 53.0°F annually, making it one of the cooler spots relative to the national median. This climate is defined by colder winters and a shorter growing season.

One of Virginia's coldest counties

The county's 53.0°F average is nearly three degrees lower than the Virginia state average of 55.9°F. It consistently ranks as one of the chillier jurisdictions in the Commonwealth.

Heavy snow and low rainfall

Shenandoah receives a significant 22.4 inches of snow annually, which is higher than most of its neighbors. Paradoxically, it is quite dry, with only 38.4 inches of total precipitation compared to the state's 45.7.

Freezing winters and moderate summers

January is cold here, with an average temperature of 31.9°F. While July reaches an average of 74.1°F, the county only sees about 20 days of extreme heat over 90°F per year.

Winter readiness is the top priority

With 22.4 inches of annual snow and sub-freezing January averages, residents need heavy winter gear and reliable heating. The low annual rainfall of 38.4 inches means fewer rainy days, but snow management is key.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Shenandoah County

via SoilByCounty

High-Quality Valley Soils

Shenandoah County earns a strong soil score of 43.2, outperforming the state average of 30.6 by a wide margin. The average pH of 5.37 is slightly higher than the state average but requires occasional lime to reach the national 6.5 ideal. This creates a productive base for the county's famous agricultural operations.

Silt and Sand Dominance

The soil composition features 41.6% silt and 35.3% sand, paired with a modest 18.9% clay. This mix offers excellent workability, as the sand prevents the heavy clumping often found in clay-rich regions. It provides an ideal physical structure for root penetration and moisture movement.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

With a 4.02% organic matter content, these soils are twice as rich as the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity of 0.151 in/in exceeds the state benchmark of 0.143, ensuring plants stay hydrated. This exceptional fertility supports high-yield farming and lush home gardens.

Managing the Valley Watershed

Formal drainage and hydrologic data are unavailable, but the high sand and silt percentages suggest a well-draining landscape. These soils generally move water efficiently, reducing the risk of root rot in agricultural fields. Local growers should focus on maintaining the high organic content to preserve this natural filtration.

Abundant Growth in Zone 7a

Zone 7a provides a long growing season for everything from tomatoes to timber. The high organic levels mean your garden needs less supplemental fertilizer to thrive. It is a fantastic time to plant a diverse array of native shrubs or a sprawling vegetable plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Shenandoah County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Lawn Challenges in Shenandoah

Shenandoah County holds a lawn difficulty score of 58.5, which is slightly better than the Virginia state average of 55.4. While the score suggests moderate ease, the Zone 7a climate presents specific seasonal hurdles for local gardeners. You enjoy better-than-average conditions compared to the national baseline of 50.0.

Moderate Precipitation and Growth Cycles

The county receives 38.4 inches of rain annually, fitting perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for lawn health. With 3,266 growing degree days, grass stays active for a significant portion of the year despite 20 extreme heat days. This balance requires consistent monitoring but supports a robust mowing season.

Neutralizing Acidic Shenandoah Soils

Local soil is notably acidic with a pH of 5.37, falling below the preferred 6.0-7.0 threshold. The mix of 35.3% sand and 18.9% clay creates a decent foundation, but lime treatments are necessary to balance the chemistry. Adding these amendments helps your grass absorb fertilizers more effectively.

Overcoming Persistent Drought Pressures

Lawns faced a tough year with 38 weeks in drought, and the entire county remains abnormally dry today. To protect your investment, focus on deep, infrequent watering that encourages roots to reach further into the ground. Mulching grass clippings also helps retain moisture during these extended dry periods.

Timing Your Shenandoah Planting

Cool-season grasses like tall fescue thrive here if seeded after the last spring frost on April 25. Aim for fall renovation before the first frost on October 20 to ensure young seedlings establish before winter dormancy. These specific windows provide the best chance for a dense and weed-resistant lawn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shenandoah County's county score?
Shenandoah County, Virginia has a composite county score of 54.1 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 Shenandoah County rank among counties in Virginia?
Shenandoah County ranks #60 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 Shenandoah County, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Shenandoah County is $1,528, with an effective tax rate of 0.52%. This earns Shenandoah County a tax score of 82.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Shenandoah County?
The median household income in Shenandoah County, Virginia is $67,191 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Shenandoah County earns an income score of 55/100 on CountyScore.
Is Shenandoah County, Virginia a good place to live?
Shenandoah County scores 54.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #60 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Shenandoah 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 Shenandoah County 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.