Buchanan
Virginia

What stands out

What stands out about Buchanan County: the median home price is among the cheapest in America ($78K), high-school completion is in the bottom 2% of American counties (74%), and the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.2 per 1,000). Within Virginia it ranks 1st of 133 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Buchanan County, Virginia. 20,246 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -104).

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 $39,591 a year, lower than 94% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,429. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 85% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Virginia takes 5.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,019 a year.

Home

The median home costs $78K, cheaper than almost every county in America, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $616 a month. Property tax is 0.49% of home value, roughly $415 a year on that median home, lower than 89% of American counties. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 95% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 48 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 72.0 years, shorter than 87% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 5.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.06 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 59% of American counties. 74% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 48 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 56% 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 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 43, colder than 54% of American counties. About 50 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 47 out of 100, safer than 53% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 216 Mbps down, faster than 57% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.