CountyScore

Surry County

Virginia · VA

#12 in Virginia
75.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Surry County, Virginia

Surry County outpaces the nation

Surry County's composite score of 74.8 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties for livability. This 50% advantage over the typical American county reflects strong fundamentals in affordability and tax structure that appeal to budget-conscious families.

A Virginia livability leader

Surry ranks above Virginia's state average composite score of 70.3, signaling it outperforms most peer counties across the commonwealth. The county's 74.8 score demonstrates consistent strength in the economic factors that matter most to residents seeking stability and value.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability shine

Surry's standout strengths are its tax score of 84.6 (reflecting an effective rate of just 0.627%) and cost score of 78.7, making it one of Virginia's most tax-efficient and affordable places to live. Median home values of $235,200 and rents averaging $858/month keep housing within reach for working families earning the county median of $71,458.

Income growth lags behind affordability

Surry's income score of 30.0 indicates lower median household earnings compared to other Virginia counties, suggesting limited high-wage employment opportunities. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, leaving some dimensions of livability unmeasured.

Ideal for cost-conscious workers and retirees

Surry County suits budget-minded residents and retirees who prioritize low taxes and affordable housing over maximum earning potential. The strong composite score makes it a practical choice for families seeking stability in a tight economic environment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.6Cost78.7SafetyComing SoonHealth70.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30Risk95.3WaterComing Soon
🏛84.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.3
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 Surry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dallas County
Arkansas
75.4
Median income: $44,694
Perry County
Arkansas
75.4
Median income: $60,078
Nemaha County
Kansas
75.4
Median income: $77,375
Jackson Parish
Louisiana
75.4
Median income: $43,345
Grant County
Minnesota
75.4
Median income: $72,957

Deep Dives

Surry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Surry County

via TaxByCounty

Surry's tax rate beats the national norm

Surry County's effective tax rate of 0.627% sits well below the national median effective rate, meaning homeowners here pay less in property taxes relative to home values than most Americans. At the national median, a homeowner with Surry's median home value of $235,200 would pay about $2,690 annually—but Surry residents pay just $1,474, a savings of over $1,200 per year.

Surry ranks middle of the Virginia pack

With an effective rate of 0.627%, Surry County sits slightly below Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the middle tier of Virginia's tax burden. The county's median property tax of $1,474 trails the state median of $1,960, reflecting both lower home values and slightly lower tax rates across the region.

Surry taxes compare favorably locally

Among nearby rural counties, Surry's effective rate of 0.627% is competitive, falling between Sussex County's lowest rate of 0.541% and Warren County's higher rate of 0.586%. Surry homeowners pay more in absolute dollars than their Sussex neighbors, but less than those in pricier Warren County, where median homes are valued 34% higher.

Median Surry home costs $1,474 yearly

On the county's median home value of $235,200, a homeowner pays approximately $1,474 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related adjustments, that figure rises to $1,647, while outright owners pay closer to $1,359.

Check your assessment—appeal if overvalued

Many Virginia homeowners are assessed above fair market value and can recover money through formal appeals. If you believe your home is overassessed, filing a challenge with Surry County's assessor costs nothing and often results in lower taxes retroactively.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Surry County

via CostByCounty

Surry rents don't break the budget

At 14.4%, Surry County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national affordability threshold and beats the state average of 18.6%. Renters here spend roughly $858 per month while earning a median household income of $71,458—making it one of Virginia's most affordable rental markets.

A bargain among Virginia counties

Surry County ranks among Virginia's most affordable places to rent, with a ratio nearly 4 percentage points below the state average. The median gross rent of $858 is $282 cheaper than Virginia's state median, reflecting the county's rural character and lower cost of living.

Competing against neighboring counties

Compared to nearby Sussex County ($952 rent) and Washington County ($832 rent), Surry offers moderate pricing with a balanced income-to-rent equation. Homebuyers here face median home values of $235,200—more expensive than Tazewell or Sussex but more affordable than Warren County's $315,800.

Where your paycheck goes

Renters dedicate $858 monthly (14.4% of income) while homeowners spend $940 on monthly costs with a median home value of $235,200. Combined, housing absorbs a manageable share of Surry household budgets, leaving resources for other essentials.

Ready to relocate affordably?

Surry County delivers rare affordability in Virginia—rent below $900 and homeownership within reach for middle-income families. If you're weighing relocation, compare Surry's balanced costs against higher-priced neighbors like Virginia Beach or Warren County to maximize your housing dollars.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Surry County

via IncomeByCounty

Surry's income slightly trails the nation

Surry County's median household income of $71,458 falls short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. This $3,297 gap suggests residents earn modestly compared to their U.S. counterparts, though the difference is relatively modest.

Below Virginia's income average

At $71,458, Surry's median household income lags Virginia's state average of $74,957 by about 4.7%. The county ranks in the bottom half of Virginia's income distribution, reflecting its rural character.

Comparable to other rural Virginia counties

Surry's $71,458 income edges above Sussex County ($62,821) and Washington County ($62,774), but trails Warren County ($84,331) significantly. Among similar-sized rural localities, Surry occupies a middle position in the income spectrum.

Rent remains affordable for most households

At 14.4%, Surry's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating renters spend a manageable portion of earnings on housing. The median home value of $235,200 is accessible to middle-income households without severe financial strain.

Build financial resilience in Surry

With a median household income of $71,458, Surry residents have solid ground for building savings and investments. Starting with an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses, then moving into retirement accounts and low-cost index funds, can help households grow wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Surry County

via HealthByCounty

Surry's life expectancy edges ahead

At 75.6 years, Surry residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years, a modest advantage reflected in its 20.1% poor/fair health rate. This solid performance suggests generally stable health outcomes for the county, though nearly one in five residents reports struggling with their health.

Outpacing Virginia's baseline

Surry's 75.6-year life expectancy tops Virginia's 75.1-year state average, ranking it among healthier Virginia communities. The county's 6.5% uninsured rate also beats the state average of 7.9%, giving more residents access to care.

Surry leads nearby rural counties

Compared to neighboring Sussex County (72.2 years) and Westmoreland County (75.3 years), Surry performs competitively on life expectancy. However, Surry lags on primary care providers at 15 per 100K—less than half the availability in nearby Warren County (59 per 100K).

Limited providers, lower uninsured rates

Only 15 primary care providers per 100K residents serve Surry—a significant gap for rural healthcare—though mental health support is more robust at 46 providers per 100K. The county's strong insurance rate (93.5% covered) means most residents have a path to care, but finding that care locally remains a daily challenge.

Protect your health with coverage

If you're among the 6.5% of Surry residents without insurance, now is the time to explore your options through Virginia's Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid. Covered residents report better health outcomes—invest in your future by getting protected today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Surry County

via RiskByCounty

Surry ranks far below national risk

Surry County's composite risk score of 4.71 places it among the safest counties in the nation for natural disasters. The county's Very Low rating reflects significantly lower exposure than the typical U.S. county, meaning residents face minimal combined hazard risk across flooding, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

Virginia's safest county for disasters

Surry ranks as one of Virginia's lowest-risk counties, with a composite score of 4.71 compared to the state average of 33.27. This makes Surry substantially safer than most other Virginia communities when measuring overall natural disaster exposure.

Safer than nearby Sussex and Warren

Surry's risk profile (4.71) significantly outperforms neighboring Sussex County (13.23) and Warren County (31.58) on composite risk. Among its peer counties, Surry benefits from lower flood and wildfire exposure, making it one of the region's most resilient areas.

Hurricane risk stands above other threats

While Surry's overall risk is very low, hurricane exposure at 69.59 represents the county's most significant hazard, though still manageable compared to coastal Virginia regions. Flood risk (42.00) and earthquake risk (28.09) remain secondary concerns, while wildfire and tornado risks are minimal.

Basic coverage protects your assets

Despite low overall risk, Surry residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with windstorm coverage to address hurricane exposure. Annual premium review ensures your policy reflects the county's modest but real weather and seismic risks.

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.