CountyScore

Sussex County

Virginia · VA

#34 in Virginia
73.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Sussex County, Virginia

Sussex County well above national average

Sussex County's composite score of 74.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, putting it ahead of three-quarters of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a county that delivers measurable value on the fundamentals that affect household budgets most directly.

Among Virginia's better performers

Sussex ranks above Virginia's average composite score of 70.3, demonstrating solid livability relative to its in-state peers. The county's 74.9 score reflects consistent execution across tax and housing affordability, core drivers of economic well-being.

Lowest tax burden in the sample

Sussex boasts the strongest tax score of 87.0 with an effective rate of just 0.541%, the lowest among the eight counties profiled. Combined with a cost score of 78.5 and median rents of $952/month on homes valued at $178,500, Sussex delivers exceptional affordability.

Lower incomes reflect limited earning options

Sussex's income score of 24.4 is among the lowest profiled, with median household income of just $62,821, suggesting fewer high-paying job opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, representing gaps in the livability picture.

Perfect for bargain hunters and retirees

Sussex County appeals to residents who value rock-bottom taxes and genuinely affordable housing above all else, particularly retirees on fixed incomes. Its very low cost of living makes it an attractive refuge from higher-cost Virginia markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87Cost78.5SafetyComing SoonHealth64.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.4Risk86.8WaterComing Soon
🏛87
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.8
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 Sussex County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Teton County
Idaho
73.3
Median income: $90,740
Washington County
Idaho
73.3
Median income: $53,608
Grant County
Kentucky
73.3
Median income: $67,940
Owsley County
Kentucky
73.3
Median income: $31,064
Beauregard Parish
Louisiana
73.3
Median income: $64,995

Deep Dives

Sussex County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sussex County

via TaxByCounty

Sussex has the lowest tax rate here

Sussex County's effective tax rate of 0.541% ranks well below the national median, delivering substantial savings compared to typical American property tax burdens. On the national median home value of $281,900, Sussex's rate would amount to about $1,526—but Sussex homeowners with a median home of $178,500 pay just $966, a difference of over $700 annually.

Sussex ranks among Virginia's lowest taxed

At 0.541% effective rate, Sussex County claims one of Virginia's lowest property tax rates, well below the state average of 0.671%. The county's median tax of $966 is less than half the state median of $1,960, making it an exceptional value for homeowners seeking low tax burden.

Sussex undercuts all nearby counties

Sussex's 0.541% effective rate is the lowest among comparable rural Virginia counties—Tazewell comes in at 0.618%, Washington at 0.514%, and Surry at 0.627%. Homeowners in Sussex save significantly compared to neighbors in all directions, though Washington County edges slightly lower on the rate alone.

Sussex homes average $966 in yearly taxes

A homeowner with Sussex's median property value of $178,500 pays approximately $966 annually in taxes. With mortgage considerations, that climbs to $1,084, while owners without mortgages pay around $785.

Appeal your assessment if numbers don't match

Even in low-tax Sussex, homeowners sometimes face overvalued assessments and can appeal to recover funds. Sussex County's assessment appeals process is free and can result in refunds dating back several years if successful.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sussex County

via CostByCounty

Sussex sits near affordability balance

Sussex County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio nearly matches Virginia's state average of 18.6%, just above the national affordability benchmark. At $952 monthly rent against a $62,821 median household income, Sussex represents typical housing cost pressure for Virginia renters.

Mid-pack affordability in Virginia

Sussex County's rent-to-income ratio ranks near the state median, reflecting moderate housing pressure compared to pricier northern Virginia. The county's $952 median rent falls between rural Tazewell and urban centers, positioning it as a transitional affordability zone.

Trading costs with similar counties

Sussex's $952 rent undercuts Warren County ($1,199) and Virginia Beach ($1,649) but exceeds Tazewell ($738) and Washington ($832). For homebuyers, Sussex offers the lowest median home value at $178,500—significantly cheaper than all neighboring counties in this comparison.

Housing eats most of the budget

Renters pay $952 monthly (18.2% of income), while homeowners spend $831—making Sussex a better market for buyers than renters. At $62,821 median household income, residents here face tighter affordability than higher-earning neighbors, but home values of $178,500 remain accessible.

Sussex: affordable for homebuyers

If you're buying rather than renting, Sussex County offers Virginia's lowest median home value at $178,500. Renters considering relocation should compare Sussex's 18.2% ratio against cheaper rentals in Tazewell or Washington County before deciding.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sussex County

via IncomeByCounty

Sussex lags well behind national income

Sussex County's median household income of $62,821 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $12,000, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. This 16% gap reflects the county's rural character and limited economic diversification.

Among Virginia's lower-income counties

Sussex's $62,821 median household income falls 16.1% below Virginia's state average of $74,957, ranking the county in the bottom quartile statewide. Economic challenges and population decline have constrained local income growth.

Income struggles compared to nearby counties

Sussex's $62,821 income matches Washington County nearly dollar-for-dollar but falls short of Surry County ($71,458) by $8,637. The county faces steeper income gaps when compared to stronger performers like Warren County ($84,331).

Housing costs press harder in Sussex

Sussex's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% remains under the 30% threshold, though it's noticeably higher than Surry County's 14.4%. The median home value of $178,500 is the lowest among comparable counties, reflecting both affordability and limited property appreciation potential.

Strategic financial planning for Sussex families

With median household income at $62,821, Sussex residents should prioritize high-impact financial moves: eliminating high-interest debt, maximizing employer retirement contributions, and leveraging lower housing costs to build home equity. Even modest monthly investments of $100–200 into diversified funds can compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sussex County

via HealthByCounty

Sussex faces significant health challenges

At 72.2 years, Sussex County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 74.5 years by more than two years, a substantial gap. With 22.4% of residents reporting poor or fair health—among the highest rates in Virginia—the county faces serious population health pressures.

Virginia's lowest life expectancy ranks

Sussex's 72.2-year life expectancy ranks near the bottom among Virginia counties, about 3 years below the state average of 75.1 years. The county's uninsured rate of 7.9% matches the state average, meaning insurance access isn't the primary issue—health outcomes themselves need intervention.

Sussex underperforms rural peers

Sussex trails Surry County (75.6 years) by 3.4 years and even lags Westmoreland County (75.3 years) by 3.1 years despite similar rural character. Sussex does maintain more primary care providers (28 per 100K) than Surry, but mental health support is limited at just 19 per 100K.

Healthcare access exists, but health lags

Sussex offers 28 primary care providers per 100K, above some rural peers, yet residents report the poorest health outcomes in the region at 22.4% poor/fair health. Limited mental health providers (19 per 100K) may contribute to the gap, suggesting county health challenges extend beyond simple access to include behavioral health support.

Insurance is your first step

With 7.9% of Sussex residents uninsured, closing this gap could improve health outcomes across the community. Check your eligibility for Virginia Medicaid or marketplace coverage—having insurance is the foundation for better health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sussex County

via RiskByCounty

Sussex well below national danger

Sussex County's composite risk score of 13.23 reflects a Very Low rating nationally, placing it among safer U.S. counties for natural disasters. The county experiences notably lower combined hazard exposure than average American communities.

Ranks low within Virginia

Sussex County's score of 13.23 sits well below Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the safer Virginia communities overall. Among peer counties, Sussex maintains substantially lower natural disaster risk.

Safer than Tazewell, comparable to Surry

Sussex (13.23) outperforms nearby Tazewell County (60.18) significantly and remains safer than most Virginia peers. Only Surry County (4.71) and Waynesboro (10.34) show comparably low risk in the region.

Hurricane and earthquake drive risk

Sussex's highest exposures are hurricane risk (73.26) and earthquake risk (43.54), though these remain moderate in absolute terms. Tornado risk (20.83) and wildfire risk (19.91) rank lower but warrant standard precautions.

Standard insurance meets Sussex needs

Homeowners insurance with windstorm riders provides adequate protection for Sussex County's modest natural disaster exposure. Residents should verify their policies cover hurricane-force winds given the county's elevated hurricane ranking.

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.