Your life in Petersburg city, Virginia

What stands out

Three things set Petersburg city apart from the other 3,142 counties: life expectancy is among the shortest in America (64.9 years), homeownership is among the lowest in America (37%), and the overdose death rate is in the top 4% of American counties (45 per 100,000). Within Virginia it ranks 1st of 133 counties for life expectancy, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Petersburg city, Virginia. 33,261 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -286).

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 $46,930 a year, lower than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,542. Unemployment runs 5.6%, higher than 94% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Virginia takes 5.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,441 a year.

Home

The median home costs $201K, cheaper than 62% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,084 a month. Property tax is 1.00% of home value, roughly $1,476 a year on that median home, higher than 60% of American counties. 37% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 77% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 45 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 64.9 years, shorter than almost every county in America. There are 58 active physicians in the county, about 17.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 8.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.85 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 68% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 75 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% 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 59°F, highs near 70 and lows near 48, warmer than 63% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 38 out of 100, safer than 62% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 250 Mbps down, faster than 74% of American counties. There are 0 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.

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.