1st Advantage MortgageAbout 93% of New Kent County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $123,314. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Virginia license first.
On this page
- New Kent County at a glance
- Renting and owning in New Kent County
- Income in New Kent County compared with Virginia
- Jobs and commutes in New Kent County
- Regional comparison for New Kent County
- Towns and communities in New Kent County
- New Kent County households compared
- What the numbers mean for New Kent County borrowers
- Room for a loan payment in New Kent County
- Checklist for New Kent County applicants
- Lender oversight for New Kent County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
New Kent County at a glance
Roughly 25,105 residents live in New Kent County, Virginia, 71st by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 210 square miles, that is close to 120 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Richmond, VA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. New Kent, with about 801 people, is the only Census place mainly inside the county.
Renting and owning in New Kent County
Renters in New Kent County pay a median of $1,721 a month, 9% above the Virginia figure of $1,579. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $393,600, about 3.2 times the median household income. Owners occupy 93% of homes. The median year built is 1997.
| Cost | New Kent County | Virginia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,721/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $393,600 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 93% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.7% | 4.3% | n/a |
Because most New Kent County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Income in New Kent County compared with Virginia
New Kent County households have a median income of $123,314 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 9th of 133 in Virginia.
| Household income | New Kent County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 9.4% | -8.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 30.2% | -5.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 42.9% | +13.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 17.4% | -0.3 pts |
Some 9% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 60% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 4.7% of New Kent County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.377 here. None of these numbers decides a New Kent County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in New Kent County
The biggest employer of New Kent County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (12%). The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 11% locally and 7% for Virginia. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 26% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 18% work from home. 1.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | New Kent County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | +0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.9% | -4.8 pts |
| Construction | 10.9% | +4.4 pts |
| Public administration | 9.9% | +1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.8% | +2.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.4% | -1.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in New Kent County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Regional comparison for New Kent County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (11 to 22 miles). None of the six report a higher median household income than New Kent County; James City County is highest at $109,985 and Hopewell city lowest at $54,729.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Kent County | - | $123,314 | $1,721/mo | 93% |
| Charles City County, VA | 11 mi | $75,417 | $1,099/mo | 86% |
| King William County, VA | 15 mi | $86,056 | $1,166/mo | 89% |
| King and Queen County, VA | 15 mi | $70,469 | $1,004/mo | 76% |
| Henrico County, VA | 17 mi | $88,783 | $1,541/mo | 64% |
| James City County, VA | 18 mi | $109,985 | $1,552/mo | 77% |
| Hopewell city, VA | 22 mi | $54,729 | $1,106/mo | 58% |
Towns and communities in New Kent County
New Kent is the only Census place mainly inside New Kent County, with about 801 of the county's 25,105 residents. Live in one of these New Kent County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Kent | CDP | 801 | $159,097 | n/a | 1 mi |
New Kent County households compared
Degree holders: 38% of adults over 25. 4.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | New Kent County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.4% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.9% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.4% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.0% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.9% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 4.7% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.3% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 12.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 30.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 17.2% |
| 60+ min | 9.1% |
What the numbers mean for New Kent County borrowers
A few patterns in the New Kent County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Long drives. With 26% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many New Kent County budgets.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 60% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Room for a loan payment in New Kent County
New Kent County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $123,314 a year is $10,276 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,721, takes 17% of that
- $2,389: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checklist for New Kent County applicants
Quick steps for New Kent County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for New Kent County
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Virginia license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Virginia guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in New Kent County earn?
The median is $123,314; 60% earn $100,000 or more and 9% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does New Kent County rent compare with Virginia?
$1,721 locally versus $1,579 for the state, 9% above.
Which towns does the New Kent County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 1 Census places: New Kent.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in New Kent County or elsewhere in Virginia, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in New Kent 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.