1st Advantage MortgageNorthampton County households have a median income of $61,632 and median rent of $829 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Northampton County
- The Northampton County job picture
- Income in Northampton County compared with Virginia
- Northampton County housing compared with Virginia
- Towns and communities in Northampton County
- How Northampton County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Northampton County median
- Northampton County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Northampton County borrowers
- Steps before you apply in Northampton County
- Lender oversight for Northampton County
- More guides for Northampton County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Northampton County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Northampton County's population at 12,059; only 107 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 212 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 57 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (5 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Exmore, with about 1,571 residents, or 13% of the county.
The Northampton County job picture
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Northampton County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward wholesale trade (10% against 2%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. Only 9.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Northampton County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.6% | +2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +2.2 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 9.6% | +8.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | -7.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Northampton County compared with Virginia
The median household income in Northampton County is $61,632; statewide it is $93,170, so Northampton County runs 34% below Virginia as a whole. In the state ranking that is 89th of 133.
| Band | Northampton County | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.4% | +13.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.0% | +3.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.6% | -10.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.1% | -6.6 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 17.7%, 8 points higher than the state's 9.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.536 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Northampton County median.
Northampton County housing compared with Virginia
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $829 in Northampton County versus $1,579 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $316,200, about 5.1 times the median household income. 66% of Northampton County households own their home and 34% rent. Median construction year: 1982.
| Housing | Northampton County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $829/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $316,200 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 28% | 9% | n/a |
Towns and communities in Northampton County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 37% of Northampton County residents live in one of the 7. Incomes vary by place: $73,750 at the median in Cape Charles, $29,028 in Exmore. Median rent ranges from $541 in Cheriton to $800 in Cape Charles. Live in one of these Northampton County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exmore | town | 1,571 | $29,028 | $669 | 17 mi |
| Cape Charles | town | 1,201 | $73,750 | $800 | 6 mi |
| Nassawadox | town | 590 | $51,932 | $763 | 13 mi |
| Cheriton | town | 555 | $49,191 | $541 | 2 mi |
| Willis Wharf | CDP | 278 | $92,543 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Eastville | town | 254 | $77,917 | $867 | 3 mi |
| Franktown | CDP | 12 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Northampton County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Northampton County's, from 21 to 33 miles away. Income ranges from $58,993 in Accomack County to $120,972 in Poquoson city; 5 of these neighbors top Northampton County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton County | - | $61,632 | $829/mo | 66% |
| Mathews County, VA | 21 mi | $75,880 | $1,032/mo | 84% |
| Poquoson city, VA | 24 mi | $120,972 | $1,707/mo | 85% |
| York County, VA | 27 mi | $109,956 | $1,827/mo | 72% |
| Hampton city, VA | 27 mi | $69,621 | $1,427/mo | 57% |
| Norfolk city, VA | 32 mi | $66,109 | $1,321/mo | 46% |
| Accomack County, VA | 33 mi | $58,993 | $977/mo | 71% |
Budget math at the Northampton County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Northampton County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $61,632 a year is $5,136 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $829, which is 16% of it
- Under a 40% cap, $2,054 total minus rent leaves $1,225
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Northampton County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 32% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.1%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| Northampton County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.5 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.0% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.6% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.5% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.1% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.7% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 10.3% |
What the numbers mean for Northampton County borrowers
A few patterns in the Northampton County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 52.5 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
Steps before you apply in Northampton County
Steps that save money for Northampton County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Northampton County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Northampton County credit union about member loans.
Lender oversight for Northampton County
Northampton County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Northampton County
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Northampton County a high-income county?
Its $61,632 median ranks 89th of 133 Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Northampton County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $829 a month; 39% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Northampton County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Exmore, Cape Charles, Nassawadox, Cheriton, Willis Wharf and 2 more.
Does living in Northampton County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Northampton County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Northampton County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Virginia it is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions.