CountyScore

Smyth County

Virginia · VA

#70 in Virginia
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Smyth County, Virginia

Smyth County exceeds national standard

Smyth County scores 78.0 on the CountyScore composite index, substantially above the national median of 50.0. This elevated score ranks the county among the nation's more livable regions, anchored by exceptional housing affordability.

Top-tier Virginia performer

Smyth County scores 78.0, well above Virginia's state average of 70.3, making it one of the commonwealth's strongest overall livability profiles. The county stands near the top of Virginia's competitive ranking in composite livability metrics.

Unmatched affordability and low taxes

Smyth County boasts a cost score of 88.6 with a median home value of just $125,800 and monthly rents of $692, making it among Virginia's most affordable regions. A tax score of 85.1 and effective tax rate of 0.609% further reduce the financial burden on residents.

Income levels constrain opportunity

The county's income score of 14.0 reflects a median household income of $46,859, indicating limited earning potential relative to more prosperous Virginia counties. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for a fuller assessment.

Perfect for rural retirees

Smyth County is tailor-made for retirees, fixed-income households, and remote workers seeking maximum purchasing power in rural Appalachia. Its combination of rock-bottom housing costs and low taxes delivers genuine financial relief for those no longer in peak earning years.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.1Cost88.6SafetyComing SoonHealth62.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome14Risk42.2WaterComing Soon
🏛85.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42.2
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 Smyth County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
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Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
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Median income: $49,167
Dale County
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Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Smyth County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Smyth County

via TaxByCounty

Smyth County taxes lag far behind U.S.

Smyth County's effective tax rate of 0.609% is roughly 77% lower than the national median property tax burden of $2,690 on a $281,900 home. At this rate, a homeowner with the national median-valued house would pay just $1,717 annually—a substantial bargain by American standards.

Below Virginia's average by double digits

Smyth County's 0.609% effective rate runs about 9% below Virginia's 0.671% state average, positioning it in the lower-tax tier across the Commonwealth. The median property tax of $766 is roughly 61% below Virginia's median of $1,960, reflecting both a low rate and modest home values.

Slightly cheaper than nearby Scott County

Smyth County's 0.609% rate edges below Scott County's 0.675%, making it one of southwestern Virginia's cheapest tax havens. Both counties cluster around $125,000 median home values and minimal annual tax bills under $900, serving rural homeowners seeking maximum affordability.

Median Smyth home tax is just $766

With a median home value of $125,800, Smyth County homeowners pay approximately $766 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $872; without one, it drops to $688—among the absolute lowest in Virginia.

Challenge your assessment if needed

Even in deeply affordable counties, some assessments drift above true fair market value, especially in areas with infrequent sales. A free appeal to Smyth County's assessor can verify your home's valuation and potentially lower your annual bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Smyth County

via CostByCounty

Smyth County's Rental Advantage

Smyth County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio matches Scott County's, offering households exceptional affordability compared to the national average. At just $692 per month, renters here spend roughly 40% less than the national median while earning a median household income of $46,859.

Virginia's Affordability Sweet Spot

Smyth County ties with Scott as one of Virginia's most affordable counties, with a 17.7% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 18.6%. This consistent value positions Smyth as a genuine refuge for budget-conscious families statewide.

Southwest Virginia's Affordable Trio

Smyth County's $692 rent matches the affordability profile of neighboring Scott County, creating a cluster of exceptionally low-cost housing in Southwest Virginia. Moving northeast toward Shenandoah County ($968 rent) or further to Spotsylvania ($1,733) reveals how dramatically costs rise outside this affordable corridor.

Compact Housing Costs

Smyth County renters spend $692 monthly while homeowners pay $491—an unusually tight spread reflecting the county's overall affordability. With median home values of $125,800, both paths to housing security remain within reach for the $46,859 median household income.

Smyth County: Affordability Meets Community

If budget is your primary relocation driver, Smyth County stands among Virginia's most accessible options with rents under $700 and homes near $126,000. Test your affordability assumptions by comparing these costs to your current location and other Virginia counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Smyth County

via IncomeByCounty

Smyth County significantly trails national earnings

Smyth County's median household income of $46,859 falls 37.3% short of the nation's $74,755 median. This substantial gap reflects the economic realities of rural Southwest Virginia, where post-industrial decline has reshaped employment and wage opportunities.

Among Virginia's lower-income counties

Smyth County earns $28,098 less than Virginia's state median of $74,957 and falls $9,786 below the state per capita average. The county's income profile aligns with other struggling southwestern Virginia communities, signaling regional economic challenges.

Comparable to nearby rural counties

Smyth County's $46,859 income nearly matches Scott County's $45,136, reflecting shared economic struggles in the region. Both counties significantly lag coastal and northern Virginia areas, where proximity to Washington D.C. and major metros supports higher incomes.

Strong housing affordability cushions tight budgets

Smyth County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio demonstrates excellent housing affordability, allowing households to allocate more income to savings and essentials. A median home value of $125,800 is achievable for households earning $46,859, particularly with support programs for first-time homebuyers.

Low housing costs create wealth-building opportunity

Smyth County residents benefit from some of the state's most affordable housing, freeing cash for financial security and growth. Work with local credit unions and community banks to develop savings plans, explore first-time homebuyer programs, and build assets despite modest incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Smyth County

via HealthByCounty

Smyth County Faces Critical Health Crisis

At 70.8 years, Smyth County's life expectancy is the lowest among Virginia's counties and trails the U.S. average by 8.1 years. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (23.6%) report poor or fair health, far exceeding the national rate of 16%—a troubling indicator of widespread health challenges.

Ranks Among Virginia's Least Healthy Counties

Smyth County's 70.8-year life expectancy falls 4.3 years below Virginia's state average of 75.1 years, placing it at the bottom of the state's health rankings. The 23.6% poor health rate is among the highest in Virginia, signaling a public health emergency.

Significantly Behind Surrounding Counties

Smyth County's life expectancy lags Scott County by 2.6 years and Shenandoah County by 5.8 years, despite offering the highest primary care provider density (51 per 100K) in its region. This disparity suggests that provider supply alone cannot address the county's deeper health challenges.

Provider Access Exists; Health Outcomes Still Suffer

Smyth County's 7.9% uninsured rate matches Virginia's state average, yet the county supports 51 primary care providers and 226 mental health providers per 100K—among the highest in the state. Despite robust supply, the county's poor health outcomes suggest systemic barriers to care utilization or underlying socioeconomic challenges.

Take First Step Toward Better Health

Whether insured or uninsured, Smyth County residents deserve access to quality healthcare. Visit healthcare.gov to verify coverage or explore Medicaid options; local community health centers also offer services regardless of insurance status.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Smyth County

via RiskByCounty

Smyth County faces moderate national risk

Smyth County scores 57.79 with a Relatively Low rating, running 24.5 points above Virginia's state average of 33.27. The elevation reflects particular vulnerability to earthquakes and hurricanes, though floods and wildfires also pose measurable threats.

Upper-middle risk tier in Virginia

Smyth County ranks among Virginia's more exposed counties at 57.79, placing it well above most Commonwealth communities. The rating reflects the intersection of Appalachian seismic activity and weather system exposure.

Comparable risk to Shenandoah County

Smyth County's 57.79 score closely mirrors Shenandoah County's 59.83, though the two counties face different top hazards. Shenandoah's hurricane risk (80.14) far exceeds Smyth's (57.99), while Smyth's flood exposure (61.90) runs slightly lower.

Earthquakes and hurricanes lead threats

Earthquake risk at 61.51 represents Smyth County's dominant hazard, reflecting the county's position in Virginia's seismic zone. Hurricane risk at 57.99 and flood risk at 61.90 form a secondary tier of concern, while wildfire risk remains manageable at 31.27.

Add earthquake insurance to your policy

Smyth County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance; at 61.51 risk, coverage gaps in standard homeowners policies could prove costly. Flood insurance also deserves consideration, particularly for properties in low-lying or riparian zones, given the 61.90 flood risk score.

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.