1st Advantage MortgageLunenburg County households have a median income of $54,842 and median rent of $742 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Getting oriented in Lunenburg County
- Household income in Lunenburg County
- Work, industries and travel time in Lunenburg County
- Renting and owning in Lunenburg County
- Regional comparison for Lunenburg County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Lunenburg County
- What a median Lunenburg County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Lunenburg County borrowers
- Who lives in Lunenburg County, in numbers
- Checklist for Lunenburg County applicants
- Lender oversight for Lunenburg County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Lunenburg County
Lunenburg County is home to about 12,016 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 109th most populous of 133 county-level areas in Virginia. It covers 432 square miles of land, or about 28 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lunenburg County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Victoria, with about 1,595 residents, or 13% of the county.
Household income in Lunenburg County
Half of Lunenburg County households take in less than $54,842 a year and half take in more, 41% below the Virginia median of $93,170. That places it 108th among Virginia's 133 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Lunenburg County | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.0% | +17.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.4% | +8.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.2% | -11.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -14.2 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.9% of Lunenburg County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.426 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Lunenburg County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Lunenburg County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Lunenburg County residents work in education and health care and 14% in construction. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward construction (14% against 7%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 29% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 12.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Lunenburg County | Difference from Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -2.1 pts |
| Construction | 13.8% | +7.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.6% | +2.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.8% | -6.0 pts |
| Public administration | 9.7% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.3% | +2.3 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Renting and owning in Lunenburg County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $742 in Lunenburg County versus $1,579 statewide. By the Census definition, 33% of Lunenburg County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $150,100, or 2.7 years of median income. Owners occupy 71% of homes. The median home was built in 1972, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Lunenburg County | Virginia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $742/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $150,100 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 19% | 9% | n/a |
Regional comparison for Lunenburg County
Nottoway County is closest, 17 miles from center to center; the sixth, Amelia County, is 30 miles off. Income ranges from $53,084 in Brunswick County to $76,717 in Amelia County; 5 of these neighbors top Lunenburg County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunenburg County | - | $54,842 | $742/mo | 71% |
| Nottoway County, VA | 17 mi | $63,261 | $972/mo | 67% |
| Mecklenburg County, VA | 19 mi | $57,045 | $823/mo | 68% |
| Prince Edward County, VA | 22 mi | $56,315 | $931/mo | 58% |
| Charlotte County, VA | 23 mi | $58,000 | $732/mo | 75% |
| Brunswick County, VA | 24 mi | $53,084 | $834/mo | 74% |
| Amelia County, VA | 30 mi | $76,717 | $1,164/mo | 82% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Lunenburg County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 26% of Lunenburg County residents live in one of the 3. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | town | 1,595 | $41,442 | $807 | 3 mi |
| Kenbridge | town | 1,432 | $61,603 | $905 | 6 mi |
| Lunenburg | CDP | 42 | $11,458 | n/a | 2 mi |
What a median Lunenburg County budget can carry
Here is the Lunenburg County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,570 a month: gross income for a household at the Lunenburg County median
- Median rent: $742, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $1,645 total minus rent leaves $903
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Lunenburg County's.
What the numbers mean for Lunenburg County borrowers
Where the Lunenburg County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 29% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Lunenburg County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 19% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
Who lives in Lunenburg County, in numbers
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 10.0%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| People and households | Lunenburg County | Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.6% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 19.5% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.0% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 12.8% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.9% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Lunenburg County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.8% |
| 60+ min | 17.8% |
Checklist for Lunenburg County applicants
A short checklist for Lunenburg County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Lunenburg County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Virginia borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Lunenburg County
Consumer lenders serving Lunenburg County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Virginia that is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lunenburg County a high-income county?
Its $54,842 median ranks 108th of 133 Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Lunenburg County?
$742 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
Should Lunenburg County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Lunenburg County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Victoria?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Lunenburg County, such as Kenbridge, Lunenburg.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Lunenburg County or elsewhere in Virginia, the same rules apply.