Your life in Nelson County, Virginia

What stands out

Against every county in America, Nelson County is unusual in three ways: the share working from home is among the highest in America (23%), natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 10% of American counties (10 of 100), and the home price against local income is in the top 15% of American counties (3.2 years of income). Within Virginia it ranks 4th of 133 counties for the share working from home.

Where you are

You live in Nelson County, Virginia. 14,773 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -22).

Virginia has a graduated income tax with a 5.75% top rate that begins at just $17,000 of income, so most residents pay near the top rate. It does not tax Social Security and allows an age deduction of up to $12,000 for residents 65 and over. Northern Virginia's federal and defense economy produces incomes closer to the Washington suburbs of Maryland than to the rest of the state. Localities levy annual property tax on vehicles.

Money

The typical household here brings in $64,028 a year, higher than 60% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,069. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 73% of American counties. 23% of workers work from home.

Virginia takes 5.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,424 a year.

Home

The median home costs $365K, pricier than 81% of American counties, about 3.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $881 a month. Property tax is 0.56% of home value, roughly $1,539 a year on that median home, lower than 82% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 56% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.6 years, longer than 71% of American counties. There are 27 active physicians in the county, about 18.3 per 10,000 people. 10.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.09 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 63% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 4 points. 78% of eligible voters turned out. Under Virginia law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 67 and lows near 46, warmer than 55% of American counties. About 43 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 10 out of 100, safer than 90% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 177 Mbps down, slower than 60% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 museums.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Virginia tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.