1st Advantage MortgageIn Halifax County, Virginia, the typical household earns $52,013 a year and the typical rent is $790. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Halifax County by the numbers
- What it costs to live in Halifax County
- Household income in Halifax County
- How Halifax County residents earn a living
- Places inside Halifax County
- How Halifax County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Halifax County median
- What the numbers mean for Halifax County borrowers
- More Halifax County figures
- Steps before you apply in Halifax County
- Who licenses lenders for Halifax County residents
- More guides for Halifax County
- Frequently asked questions
Halifax County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Halifax County's population at 33,639; only 51 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 818 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 41 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Halifax County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 9 Census places inside Halifax County, South Boston leads by population with about 7,853; 4 of the 9 are incorporated.
What it costs to live in Halifax County
A typical Halifax County rental runs $790 a month including utilities, which is 50% below Virginia. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. Home values center on $155,700, or 3.0 years of median income. The ownership rate is 75%. Half the housing stock was built before 1974.
| Measure | Halifax County | Virginia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $790/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,700 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 25% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Halifax County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Household income in Halifax County
Half of Halifax County households take in less than $52,013 a year and half take in more, 44% below the Virginia median of $93,170.
| Income band | Share in Halifax County | Difference from Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.0% | +19.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.6% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.9% | -9.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -14.2 pts |
About 37% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. 17.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). None of these numbers decides a Halifax County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Halifax County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Halifax County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 18% locally and 7% for Virginia. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.2% in Halifax County. Long commutes are common here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 7.5% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Top industries | Halifax County share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.3% | +3.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.1% | +11.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.0% | -9.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.0% | -2.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Halifax County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Halifax County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Halifax County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 13,801 people, so roughly 59% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $76,125 at the median in Cluster Springs, $41,250 in Mountain Road. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Boston | town | 7,853 | $44,052 | $760 | 4 mi |
| Mountain Road | CDP | 1,574 | $41,250 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Halifax | town | 1,496 | $55,792 | $669 | 1 mi |
| Riverdale | CDP | 1,077 | $60,694 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Cluster Springs | CDP | 859 | $76,125 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Clover | CDP | 696 | $52,577 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Virgilina | town | 171 | $40,625 | $892 | 18 mi |
| Scottsburg | town | 51 | $54,375 | $833 | 8 mi |
| Nathalie | CDP | 24 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Halifax County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Halifax County's, from 23 to 32 miles away. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Halifax County; Campbell County is highest at $66,165 and Danville city lowest at $44,423. Some neighbors are in North Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Halifax County resident follows Virginia rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax County | - | $52,013 | $790/mo | 75% |
| Charlotte County, VA | 23 mi | $58,000 | $732/mo | 75% |
| Pittsylvania County, VA | 26 mi | $54,085 | $861/mo | 79% |
| Person County, NC | 26 mi | $63,300 | $864/mo | 77% |
| Danville city, VA | 29 mi | $44,423 | $836/mo | 48% |
| Campbell County, VA | 32 mi | $66,165 | $891/mo | 75% |
| Mecklenburg County, VA | 32 mi | $57,045 | $823/mo | 68% |
Budget math at the Halifax County median
Halifax County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $4,334 a month: gross income for a household at the Halifax County median
- Less median rent of $790, which is 18% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $770 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Halifax County borrowers
What the Halifax County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 18% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.5, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
More Halifax County figures
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Halifax County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.5 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.7% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.1% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.8% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.2% |
Steps before you apply in Halifax County
A short checklist for Halifax County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Halifax County residents
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Virginia license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Virginia: Virginia personal loans.
More guides for Halifax County
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Halifax County a high-income county?
Its $52,013 median ranks 116th of 133 Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Halifax County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $790 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Halifax County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: South Boston, Mountain Road, Halifax, Riverdale, Cluster Springs.
Will a Halifax County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Virginia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Halifax County check a lender's license?
With the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.