Best counties to live in Virginia

- Overall Rank: 878
- Population: 30,367
- Median household income: $51,265
- Median home value: $157,800 (71% own)
- Median rent: $784 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Bluestone Middle School (grade B+), Park View Middle School (grade B), South Hill Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: First Christian School (grade unavailable), RIVERMONT SCHOOL - CHASE CITY (grade unavailable)
- Top places: South Hill (grade B+), Chase City (grade B), Clarksville (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 820
- Population: 27,442
- Median household income: $90,766
- Median home value: $270,900 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,363 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Fluvanna Middle School (grade B), Fluvanna County High School (grade B), Central Elementary School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Fork Union Military Academy (grade A), Effort Christian School & Preschool (grade unavailable), Open Door Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lake Monticello (grade A), Palmyra (grade C minus)

- Overall Rank: 809
- Population: 42,634
- Median household income: $80,318
- Median home value: $252,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,519 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: L.L. Beazley Elementary School (grade A minus), South Elementary School (grade A minus), David A. Harrison Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Fort Lee Child Development Center - Sisisky (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Prince George (grade B), Templeton (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 794
- Population: 16,253
- Median household income: $60,041
- Median home value: $178,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $861 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Appomattox County High School (grade B+), Appomattox Middle School (grade B), Appomattox Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Appomattox Christian Academy (grade A minus), Cornerstone Christian Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Appomattox (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 778
- Population: 23,296
- Median household income: $113,120
- Median home value: $354,200 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,391 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: George W. Watkins Elementary School (grade B), New Kent Elementary School (grade B), New Kent Middle School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Cumberland Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: New Kent (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 749
- Population: 83,905
- Median household income: $73,232
- Median home value: $266,900 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,078 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: East Rockingham High School (grade A minus), Turner Ashby High School (grade A minus), Spotswood High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Blue Ridge Christian School (grade A minus), Redeemer Classical School (grade unavailable), Cornerstone Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bridgewater (grade A), Dayton (grade A), Massanutten (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 709
- Population: 54,838
- Median household income: $66,275
- Median home value: $207,700 (80% own)
- Median rent: $809 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Snow Creek Elementary School (grade A), Boones Mill Elementary School (grade A minus), Windy Gap Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Christian Heritage Academy (grade B minus), Lifes Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Rocky Mount (grade B+), Boones Mill (grade B+), North Shore (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 684
- Population: 38,106
- Median household income: $76,594
- Median home value: $266,700 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,137 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Louisa County High School (grade A minus), Moss-Nuckols Elementary School (grade A minus), Louisa County Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Piedmont Christian School (grade unavailable), Grace Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Mineral (grade B), Louisa (grade B), Blue Ridge Shores (grade C+)

- Overall Rank: 667
- Population: 33,734
- Median household income: $77,680
- Median home value: $264,200 (87% own)
- Median rent: $869 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Read Mountain Middle School (grade A minus), Central Academy Middle School (grade A minus), Colonial Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Daleville (grade B+), Blue Ridge (grade B+), Cloverdale (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 645
- Population: 53,985
- Median household income: $59,116
- Median home value: $181,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $796 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Wallace Middle School (grade A minus), Watauga Elementary School (grade A minus), High Point Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Cornerstone Christian Academy (grade B), Sullins Academy (grade unavailable), Victory Children's Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Abingdon (grade A), Emory (grade A minus), Glade Spring (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 611
- Population: 38,898
- Median household income: $91,680
- Median home value: $327,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,223 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Windsor Elementary School (grade B+), Carrsville Elementary School (grade B+), Smithfield Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Isle of Wight Academy (grade B), Hampton Roads Classical (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Carrollton (grade B+), Smithfield (grade B), Benns Church (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 545
- Population: 26,985
- Median household income: $103,264
- Median home value: $372,300 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,385 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: King George Middle School (grade B+), King George High School (grade B+), Potomac Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Dahlgren (grade B+), King George (grade B), Fairview Beach (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 543
- Population: 73,290
- Median household income: $122,785
- Median home value: $501,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,468 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Kettle Run High School (grade B+), Greenville Elementary School (grade B+), C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Wakefield School (grade A+), Highland School (grade A+), Fresta Valley Christian School (grade B minus)
- Top places: New Baltimore (grade A minus), Warrenton (grade B), Bealeton (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 527
- Population: 79,761
- Median household income: $74,773
- Median home value: $263,900 (84% own)
- Median rent: $939 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Forest Elementary School (grade A minus), Forest Middle School (grade B+), Boonsboro Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy (grade B), Blue Ridge Montessori School (grade unavailable), Mineral Springs Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Forest (grade A), Bedford (grade B minus), Big Island (grade C)

- Overall Rank: 517
- Population: 55,518
- Median household income: $59,022
- Median home value: $183,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $792 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Leesville Road Elementary School (grade B+), Brookville High School (grade B+), Tomahawk Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Timberlake Christian Schools (grade A minus), The Branches Academy (grade unavailable), Desmond T. Doss Junior Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Timberlake (grade A minus), Altavista (grade B), Rustburg (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 458
- Population: 141,097
- Median household income: $105,068
- Median home value: $349,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,677 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Riverbend High School (grade A minus), Chancellor Elementary School (grade A minus), Courtland High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Fredericksburg Academy (grade A+), St. Michael the Archangel High School (grade A), Fredericksburg Christian School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Spotsylvania Courthouse (grade B), Lake Wilderness (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 368
- Population: 30,503
- Median household income: $108,089
- Median home value: $356,500 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,170 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Powhatan Elementary School (grade A minus), Flat Rock Elementary School (grade B+), Pocahontas Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: The Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School (grade A)
- Top places: Powhatan (grade C+)

- Overall Rank: 197
- Population: 110,513
- Median household income: $104,678
- Median home value: $347,900 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,392 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Pole Green Elementary School (grade A), Oak Knoll Middle School (grade A minus), Chickahominy Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Atlee Christian Academy (grade unavailable), GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (grade unavailable), Liberty Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Ashland (grade A minus), Mechanicsville (grade A minus), Hanover (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 185
- Population: 24,906
- Median household income: $105,600
- Median home value: $433,600 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,407 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Goochland High School (grade A minus), Goochland Elementary School (grade A minus), Randolph Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Richmond Academy (grade A), Saint Gertrude High School (grade A), Benedictine College Preparatory (grade A)
- Top places: Goochland (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 132
- Population: 157,606
- Median household income: $128,036
- Median home value: $431,900 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,828 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Colonial Forge High School (grade A), Mountain View High School (grade A), Rodney E. Thompson Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Grace Preparatory School (grade B+), Holy Cross Academy (grade unavailable), The Merit School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Falmouth (grade A), Aquia Harbour (grade A minus), Southern Gateway (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 116
- Population: 96,653
- Median household income: $80,872
- Median home value: $245,800 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,116 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Hidden Valley High School (grade A), Cave Spring High School (grade A), Penn Forest Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: North Cross School (grade A+), Faith Christian School (grade A minus), Roanoke Valley Christian Schools (grade B+)
- Top places: Cave Spring (grade A+), Hollins (grade B+), Vinton (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 100
- Population: 366,019
- Median household income: $95,757
- Median home value: $306,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,460 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Clover Hill High School (grade A), Cosby High School (grade A), Midlothian High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Millwood School (grade A), Richmond Christian School (grade B+), Guardian Christian Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Bon Air (grade A+), Woodlake (grade A+), Brandermill (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 99
- Population: 99,373
- Median household income: $65,270
- Median home value: $269,300 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,161 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: Blacksburg High School (grade A+), Gilbert Linkous Elementary School (grade A), Harding Avenue Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dayspring Christian Academy (grade C+), St. John Neumann Academy (grade unavailable), Blacksburg New School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Blacksburg (grade A+), Merrimac (grade A), Christiansburg (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 90
- Population: 333,120
- Median household income: $82,424
- Median home value: $309,700 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,380 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Deep Run High School (grade A+), Mills E. Godwin High School (grade A), Glen Allen High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Steward School (grade A+), Collegiate School (grade A+), Landmark Christian School (grade A)
- Top places: Innsbrook (grade A+), Short Pump (grade A+), Wyndham (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 75
- Population: 481,114
- Median household income: $123,193
- Median home value: $472,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,907 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Battlefield High School (grade A), Osbourn Park High School (grade A), Charles J. Colgan Senior High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School (grade A), Christ Chapel Academy (grade A), Heritage Christian School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Haymarket (grade A+), County Center (grade A+), Gainesville (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 59
- Population: 78,818
- Median household income: $100,711
- Median home value: $396,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,435 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Jamestown High School (grade A), Lafayette High School (grade A minus), Matoaka Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Williamsburg Christian Academy (grade A), Providence Classical School (grade A), Williamsburg Montessori School (grade unavailable)
- Top places:

- Overall Rank: 48
- Population: 112,513
- Median household income: $97,708
- Median home value: $450,200 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,570 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Albemarle High School (grade A), Virginia L. Murray Elementary School (grade A), Hollymead Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Tandem Friends School (grade A+), Miller School of Albemarle (grade A+), Regents School of Charlottesville (grade A minus)
- Top places: Piney Mountain (grade A+), Hollymead (grade A+), Crozet (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 19
- Population: 1,145,354
- Median household income: $145,165
- Median home value: $666,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $2,159 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology (grade A+), Oakton High School (grade A+), McLean High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+), The Potomac School (grade A+)
- Top places: Franklin Farm (grade A+), Vienna (grade A+), Oakton (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 10
- Population: 420,773
- Median household income: $170,463
- Median home value: $657,000 (77% own)
- Median rent: $2,195 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Independence High School (grade A+), Rock Ridge High School (grade A+), Riverside High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Fairfax Christian School (grade A+), Foxcroft School (grade A+), Loudoun School for Advanced Studies (grade A+)
- Top places: Stone Ridge (grade A+), Broadlands (grade A+), Loudoun Valley Estates (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 6
- Population: 70,238
- Median household income: $105,154
- Median home value: $387,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,701 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Tabb High School (grade A+), Grafton High School (grade A), Dare Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Summit Christian Academy (grade B+), Little Log Cabin CC & Learning Center (grade unavailable), COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Yorktown (grade A)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.