1st Advantage MortgageMecklenburg County households have a median income of $57,045 and median rent of $823 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
- A quick profile of Mecklenburg County
- What Mecklenburg County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Mecklenburg County
- Mecklenburg County housing compared with Virginia
- Towns and communities in Mecklenburg County
- How Mecklenburg County compares with nearby counties
- More Mecklenburg County figures
- What the numbers mean for Mecklenburg County borrowers
- A Mecklenburg County household budget, worked through
- Checking a lender's license in Virginia
- Steps before you apply in Mecklenburg County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Mecklenburg County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Mecklenburg County's population at 30,516; only 57 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 625 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 49 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 10 Census places inside Mecklenburg County, South Hill leads by population with about 4,786; 5 of the 10 are incorporated.
What Mecklenburg County households earn
The median household income in Mecklenburg County is $57,045; statewide it is $93,170, so Mecklenburg County runs 39% below Virginia as a whole. That places it 100th among Virginia's 133 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Mecklenburg County | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.7% | +14.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.3% | +6.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.3% | -8.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -11.9 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 16.3% of Mecklenburg County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. None of these numbers decides a Mecklenburg County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Mecklenburg County
The biggest employer of Mecklenburg County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). Education and health care stands out: 26% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Mecklenburg County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). Long commutes are common here: 18% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Mecklenburg County share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.3% | +4.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.8% | -7.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.1% | +2.0 pts |
| Public administration | 8.6% | -0.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.8% | +3.0 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.
Mecklenburg County housing compared with Virginia
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $823 in Mecklenburg County versus $1,579 statewide. 43% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $192,600, about 3.4 times the median household income. 68% of Mecklenburg County households own their home and 32% rent. Median construction year: 1983.
| Mecklenburg County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $823/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $192,600 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 30% | 9% | n/a |
Towns and communities in Mecklenburg County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Mecklenburg County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 11,511 residents, leaving about 62% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. South Hill has the highest median household income on the list ($66,023) and La Crosse the lowest ($33,750), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Chase City ($667) and steepest in South Hill ($1,132). Live in one of these Mecklenburg County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Hill | town | 4,786 | $66,023 | $1,132 | 14 mi |
| Chase City | town | 2,470 | $45,843 | $667 | 9 mi |
| Clarksville | town | 1,547 | $63,533 | $718 | 12 mi |
| Bracey | CDP | 1,242 | $64,605 | n/a | 16 mi |
| La Crosse | town | 550 | $33,750 | $1,044 | 15 mi |
| Boydton | town | 269 | $53,250 | $1,268 | 2 mi |
| Fairview | CDP | 240 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Baskerville | CDP | 178 | $46,042 | $876 | 5 mi |
| Union Level | CDP | 143 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Thynedale | CDP | 86 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
How Mecklenburg County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Mecklenburg County's, from 19 to 31 miles away. Income ranges from $50,465 in Vance County to $71,111 in Granville County; 2 of these neighbors top Mecklenburg County's median. The list crosses into North Carolina, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mecklenburg County | - | $57,045 | $823/mo | 68% |
| Lunenburg County, VA | 19 mi | $54,842 | $742/mo | 71% |
| Vance County, NC | 22 mi | $50,465 | $883/mo | 60% |
| Warren County, NC | 25 mi | $50,638 | $790/mo | 69% |
| Charlotte County, VA | 27 mi | $58,000 | $732/mo | 75% |
| Brunswick County, VA | 29 mi | $53,084 | $834/mo | 74% |
| Granville County, NC | 31 mi | $71,111 | $1,008/mo | 77% |
More Mecklenburg County figures
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Mecklenburg County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.2 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.7% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.2% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.2% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.0% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.3% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Mecklenburg County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 9.1% |
What the numbers mean for Mecklenburg County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Mecklenburg County borrowers.
- Mobile home upkeep. 20% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Retirees. At a median age of 49.2, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
A Mecklenburg County household budget, worked through
Here is the Mecklenburg County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $4,754 gross per month ($57,045 / 12)
- Median rent: $823, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 43% cap, $2,044 total minus rent leaves $1,221
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Mecklenburg County's.
Checking a lender's license in Virginia
Consumer lenders serving Mecklenburg County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Virginia that is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Virginia guide.
Steps before you apply in Mecklenburg County
Steps that save money for Mecklenburg County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Mecklenburg County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Mecklenburg County-area credit union.
- Verify the Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Mecklenburg County household make?
About $57,045 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 39% below the Virginia median.
What do renters pay in Mecklenburg County?
$823 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Does this page cover South Hill?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Mecklenburg County, such as Chase City, Clarksville, Bracey.
Are Mecklenburg County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Is there a Mecklenburg County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Virginia it is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions.