State rankings

Best Counties to Live in Virginia

Compare counties in Virginia by affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and quality-of-life tradeoffs.

Use the county-size filter to compare large metro counties, mid-size counties, small counties, and rural areas separately. These modules are a starting point, then you can open the full rankings table or compare individual counties.

County size

County size helps compare places with similar scale. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.

Showing all 133 Virginia counties

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Virginia county rankings at a glance

Compact winners for common county-search priorities.

View full Virginia rankings

Top counties by category

Use these short lists to jump into the state rankings that match your priorities.

National rankings

Popular Virginia county comparisons

Put two counties side by side before you narrow the search.

How to choose a county in Virginia

The best county in Virginia depends on what you need most. Families may care more about schools and safety, budget-focused movers may care more about affordability and taxes, and quiet-living households may care more about density and peace & quiet. Large counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so use the county-size filter to compare places with similar scale.

Best for different needs

What to watch before moving to Virginia

Compare county scale carefully in Virginia; large metro counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.

Check town-level housing costs, commute patterns, school districts, and local services before making a final move decision.

Frequently asked questions about the best counties in Virginia

What is the best county to live in Virginia?

The best county depends on your priorities. In this ranking model, Botetourt County currently scores highest overall, but families, budget-focused movers, and quiet-living households may prefer different counties.

What is the best county in Virginia for families?

Based on the family ranking blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet, Botetourt County stands out in this model.

What is the most affordable county in Virginia?

Buchanan County scores highly on affordability in this model, but buyers should still compare home prices, taxes, insurance, commute costs, and local job access.

How should I compare large and small counties?

Use the county-size filter. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so comparing similar county sizes usually gives a more realistic shortlist.

Are these rankings based on reviews?

No. These rankings use public-data signals such as affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and peace & quiet. Local reviews and personal visits should still be part of a final decision.

Which Virginia counties score well for schools or taxes?

Falls Church city currently leads the school-score view, while Amelia County stands out on the tax-score view. Use the rankings presets to compare those priorities separately.

All Virginia counties

Showing all 133 Virginia counties ranked by the default generated overall score.

RankCountyOverallEconomyAfford.SchoolsSafetyTaxesPeace & QuietTypical homeIncome
1Botetourt County
FIPS 51023
78.679.361.19686.170.785.5$310,578$81,213
2Hanover County
FIPS 51085
78.18853.697.382.571.673.9$454,934$112,805
3Poquoson city
FIPS 51735
77.410057.1977657.131.8$462,732$120,972
4York County
FIPS 51199
77.196.447.69881.769.145.7$461,496$109,956
5King William County
FIPS 51101
76.486.159.274.289.877.480.9$349,721$86,056
6James City County
FIPS 51095
76.394.946.195.684.468.549$479,915$109,985
7Powhatan County
FIPS 51145
768946.589.684.576.177.8$493,803$110,537
8New Kent County
FIPS 51127
75.39860.774.763.173.777.2$439,187$123,314
9Rockingham County
FIPS 51165
75.285.948.57990.878.985$358,955$80,693
10Goochland County
FIPS 51075
75.18638.995.68579.980.7$581,702$118,931
11Roanoke County
FIPS 51161
74.887.456.793.770.461.167.1$334,262$83,709
12Giles County
FIPS 51071
7469.371.569.28582.179.9$199,651$65,691
13Highland County
FIPS 51091
73.575.650.47796.783.276.2$281,504$65,625
14Isle of Wight County
FIPS 51093
73.474.956.581.291.965.678.7$376,397$95,241
15King George County
FIPS 51099
73.186.150.974.382.978.574.4$470,062$116,884
16Loudoun County
FIPS 51107
73.190.744.297.985.755.128.1$805,711$181,765
17Prince George County
FIPS 51149
7385.153.779.376.868.282$353,626$84,897
18Gloucester County
FIPS 51073
72.781.65085.477.775.569.6$371,033$84,306
19Washington County
FIPS 51191
72.669.759.484.872.783.182.6$255,766$64,552
20Spotsylvania County
FIPS 51177
72.594.653.167.277.67658.9$456,350$112,738
21Fluvanna County
FIPS 51065
72.285.359.564.477.875.778$374,395$96,768
22Frederick County
FIPS 51069
72.295.75058.583.480.970.3$427,505$97,606
23Orange County
FIPS 51137
7277.5557090.275.276.4$380,212$94,008
24Wise County
FIPS 51195
71.949.6848070.179.381.6$128,767$52,943
25Albemarle County
FIPS 51003
71.896.527.793.679.460.182.6$553,894$104,392
26Augusta County
FIPS 51015
71.689.852.158.478.783.187.3$359,440$82,049
27Clarke County
FIPS 51043
70.983.63874.393.277.178.6$568,753$117,111
28Bedford County
FIPS 51019
70.571.152.370.985.985.480.9$347,761$78,937
29Fauquier County
FIPS 51061
70.488.436.178.890.361.676.8$647,006$130,189
30Bland County
FIPS 51021
70.157.570.863.287.282.979.8$186,837$61,216
31Chesterfield County
FIPS 51041
69.485.554.384.165.964.526.6$409,268$101,931
32Fairfax County
FIPS 51059
69.398.833.498.477.739.718.3$774,448$153,637
33Scott County
FIPS 51169
69.248.762.891.176.576.878.7$170,749$46,349
34Culpeper County
FIPS 51047
69.187.139.260.291.979.175.4$485,035$100,049
35Bath County
FIPS 51017
68.859.850.970.494.487.382.5$224,212$56,184
36Stafford County
FIPS 51179
68.785.551.379.564.568.241.4$540,304$137,807
37Russell County
FIPS 51167
68.645.580.679.158.385.579.8$135,149$50,012
38Appomattox County
FIPS 51011
6863.647.673.784.684.985.1$290,320$62,853
39Tazewell County
FIPS 51185
6842.978.471.57777.980$134,741$47,313
40Floyd County
FIPS 51063
67.970.751.879.562.879.480.2$275,212$62,191
41Craig County
FIPS 51045
67.461.366.45386.681.374.2$227,156$69,057
42Montgomery County
FIPS 51121
66.962.138.690.190.763.475.7$342,441$72,715
43Dinwiddie County
FIPS 51053
66.878.164.450.460.28081.2$295,196$83,704
44Franklin County
FIPS 51067
66.667.13885.671.686.476.5$355,876$68,849
45Wythe County
FIPS 51197
66.658.164.569.961.883.586.3$214,803$57,745
46Campbell County
FIPS 51031
66.27256.759.162.187.482.6$270,596$66,165
47Carroll County
FIPS 51035
66.253.466.970.865.982.177.5$184,194$54,484
48Salem city
FIPS 51775
65.97449.79364.954.124.5$286,983$66,725
49Patrick County
FIPS 51141
65.857.463.871.360.982.377.2$192,604$53,038
50Mathews County
FIPS 51115
65.669.146.859.888.379.270.9$342,415$75,880
51Pittsylvania County
FIPS 51143
65.657.668.965.559.178.682.1$189,797$54,085
52Rockbridge County
FIPS 51163
65.679.742.163.569.977.783.8$329,288$65,469
53Lee County
FIPS 51105
65.539.67467.676.880.280.6$117,797$41,827
54Prince William County
FIPS 51153
65.296.442.273.467.950.114.3$587,492$131,402
55Smyth County
FIPS 51173
65.248.871.852.38378.585.1$154,972$49,883
56Caroline County
FIPS 51033
65.181.357.732.378.780.380.3$352,917$87,407
57Charlotte County
FIPS 51037
65.151.266.566.965.385.678$186,051$58,000
58Richmond County
FIPS 51159
65.162.859.464.467.776.177.3$244,336$66,304
59Southampton County
FIPS 51175
65.178.662.248.856.975.881.1$268,328$70,795
60King and Queen County
FIPS 51097
6568.651.253.979.883.479.9$300,988$70,469
61Pulaski County
FIPS 51155
64.962.365.353.871.374.881.7$215,729$62,028
62Virginia Beach city
FIPS 51810
64.582.341.189.45859.521.9$426,941$92,968
63Warren County
FIPS 51187
64.475.345.152.183.97869.5$393,261$84,682
64Dickenson County
FIPS 51051
64.340.982.152.968.786.180.2$113,840$47,254
65Surry County
FIPS 51181
6466.462.933.492.872.178.1$278,689$78,041
66Colonial Heights city
FIPS 51570
63.878.561.768.352.861.619.8$279,275$76,505
67Fairfax city
FIPS 51600
63.897.521.786.475.244.718.9$787,165$132,348
68Falls Church city
FIPS 51610
63.810011.610073.14018.4$1,148,927$143,262
69Lexington city
FIPS 51678
63.862.843.282.887.366.520.6$343,201$84,517
70Middlesex County
FIPS 51119
63.772.935.179.765.376.766.8$383,930$75,060
71Alleghany County
FIPS 51005
63.555.473.235.183.675.585.4$177,485$56,188
72Madison County
FIPS 51113
63.580.241.242.285.876.483.9$414,199$84,323
73Greene County
FIPS 51079
63.482.454.333.576.272.975.4$378,637$89,808
74Amherst County
FIPS 51009
62.965.564.848.651.586.285$257,885$68,724
75Louisa County
FIPS 51109
62.773.342.961.565.378.475$415,533$86,689
76Norton city
FIPS 51720
62.238.875.465.769.869.761.8$120,365$41,495
77Mecklenburg County
FIPS 51117
626258.344.771.78477.2$206,873$57,045
78Charles City County
FIPS 51036
61.969.46521.779.879.580.5$281,917$75,417
79Lunenburg County
FIPS 51111
61.951.978.535.364.287.177.2$144,358$54,842
80Amelia County
FIPS 51007
61.869.355.641.462.488.582.3$326,735$76,717
81Henrico County
FIPS 51087
61.671.244.57763.965.122.9$397,234$88,783
82Arlington County
FIPS 51013
61.287.618.397.971.634.418.8$824,388$142,114
83Brunswick County
FIPS 51025
6155.877.31389.976.680.4$144,832$53,084
84Nelson County
FIPS 51125
6169.535.462.372.878.272.2$361,835$72,589
85Henry County
FIPS 51089
60.247.379.351.64083.877.7$141,995$50,760
86Chesapeake city
FIPS 51550
59.979.647.479.130.558.638.8$421,284$95,373
87Rappahannock County
FIPS 51157
59.877.212.560.993.873.975.5$562,641$83,380
88Nottoway County
FIPS 51135
58.553.766.223.37486.981$194,743$63,261
89Manassas Park city
FIPS 51685
58.410041.733.278.73913.5$461,985$103,250
90Halifax County
FIPS 51083
57.745.872.130.86581.682.1$149,871$52,013
91Buckingham County
FIPS 51029
56.857.558.22074.786.579.6$249,895$60,828
92Grayson County
FIPS 51077
56.655.753.94751.582.376.6$201,537$47,730
93Covington city
FIPS 51580
56.632.279.739.182.472.722.5$106,639$41,944
94Shenandoah County
FIPS 51171
56.565.139.43379.978.178.6$341,883$67,191
95Buena Vista city
FIPS 51530
56.460.163.826.785.261.623$183,965$57,833
96Radford city
FIPS 51750
56.341.945.687.161.76721.9$254,686$57,348
97Staunton city
FIPS 51790
5672.548.940.266.165.922.8$282,101$65,581
98Sussex County
FIPS 51183
55.752.471.216.867.47577.5$185,630$63,530
99Suffolk city
FIPS 51800
55.580.950.843.134.452.669.9$385,312$92,666
100Buchanan County
FIPS 51027
55.429.192.429.7488176$77,985$42,886
101Page County
FIPS 51139
55.45837.241.681.173.674.8$301,313$57,037
102Westmoreland County
FIPS 51193
54.451.543.131.891.372.468.8$306,854$63,398
103Cumberland County
FIPS 51049
54.273.741.918.268.375.178.6$280,107$55,325
104Greensville County
FIPS 51081
54.145.967.18.781.179.480.1$168,870$54,668
105Northumberland County
FIPS 51133
53.948.831.465.264.976.568$362,087$66,480
106Manassas city
FIPS 51683
53.597.745.233.24240.115.8$491,878$113,590
107Williamsburg city
FIPS 51830
52.953.927.583.855.663.921.4$406,998$75,604
108Bristol city
FIPS 51520
52.15063.249.945.359.821.3$178,469$50,404
109Waynesboro city
FIPS 51820
50.972.342.837.14469.823.3$290,337$59,994
110Prince Edward County
FIPS 51147
50.440.547.313.687.884.782.2$239,656$56,315
111Essex County
FIPS 51057
49.956.236.915.680.37774.3$295,722$56,520
112Accomack County
FIPS 51001
47.950.35026.735.483.576.9$243,435$58,993
113Alexandria city
FIPS 51510
47.983.919.545.65832.718.2$685,515$119,681
114Northampton County
FIPS 51131
47.251.934.312.782.867.577.8$305,552$61,632
115Charlottesville city
FIPS 51540
46.674.613.966.93644.125.7$487,195$74,824
116Fredericksburg city
FIPS 51630
45.477.826.83830.163.315.6$466,610$86,071
117Roanoke city
FIPS 51770
44.957.954.644.79.951.722.8$218,676$55,378
118Lancaster County
FIPS 51103
44.656.830.112.357.480.476.1$389,603$69,713
119Emporia city
FIPS 51595
43.826.168.2-24.263.529$154,434$51,899
120Galax city
FIPS 51640
43.836.648.952.624.266.632.4$170,033$38,675
121Hampton city
FIPS 51650
43.861.753.923.625.253.122$275,443$69,621
122Winchester city
FIPS 51840
43.561.528.430.455.654.423.7$354,986$63,974
123Lynchburg city
FIPS 51680
42.550.649.628.331.759.322.2$243,033$57,947
124Martinsville city
FIPS 51690
42.530.676.815.929.871.417.5$113,940$46,727
125Harrisonburg city
FIPS 51660
40.851.634.518.356.957.826.2$323,433$62,254
126Franklin city
FIPS 51620
38.851.158.19.519.15819.3$228,216$63,245
127Newport News city
FIPS 51700
38.260.550.118.47.147.621.6$290,235$69,634
128Hopewell city
FIPS 51670
37.2415513.723.161.717.4$216,368$54,729
129Portsmouth city
FIPS 51740
35.64850.525.8441.621.2$260,360$60,491
130Norfolk city
FIPS 51710
34.256.843.316.3442.521.2$306,421$66,109
131Danville city
FIPS 51590
3422.269.88.34.775.222.3$135,403$44,423
132Richmond city
FIPS 51760
32.36427.57.616.343.421.9$364,981$64,587
133Petersburg city
FIPS 51730
3031.957.433.557.815.4$193,560$50,698