1st Advantage MortgagePowhatan County households have a median income of $110,537 and median rent of $1,168 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
- Powhatan County at a glance
- What Powhatan County households earn
- What it costs to live in Powhatan County
- How Powhatan County residents earn a living
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Powhatan County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Debt-to-income at Powhatan County's medians
- People and households in Powhatan County
- What the numbers mean for Powhatan County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Powhatan County
- Checklist for Powhatan County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Powhatan County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Powhatan County's population at 31,555; only 55 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 260 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 121 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Richmond, VA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (0 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Powhatan, with about 667 residents, or 2% of the county.
What Powhatan County households earn
Powhatan County households have a median income of $110,537 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 18th of 133 in Virginia.
| Household income | Powhatan County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 11.6% | -6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.2% | -2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.9% | +7.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 18.3% | +0.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 55% of Powhatan County households make $100,000 or more, and 12% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 4.6%, 5 points lower than the state's 9.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.406 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Powhatan 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.
What it costs to live in Powhatan County
Renters in Powhatan County pay a median of $1,168 a month, 26% below the Virginia figure of $1,579. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. Home values center on $416,000, or 3.8 years of median income. 93% of Powhatan County households own their home and 7% rent. Median construction year: 1996.
| Housing | Powhatan County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,168/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $416,000 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 93% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 25% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How Powhatan County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Powhatan County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by construction (13%). Construction stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.6% in Powhatan County. About 69% drive to work alone and 29% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 2.0% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Powhatan County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Construction | 12.7% | +6.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.6% | -5.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.5% | +2.9 pts |
| Public administration | 7.2% | -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.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Powhatan County
Just one Census place, Powhatan, lies mainly within Powhatan County; it holds about 667 people. Powhatan has no separate guide, so this county page serves it.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powhatan | CDP | 667 | $71,833 | $1,086 | 1 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Powhatan County's, from 12 to 27 miles away. Goochland County leads the group on income ($118,931), Cumberland County trails ($55,325), and Powhatan County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powhatan County | - | $110,537 | $1,168/mo | 93% |
| Goochland County, VA | 12 mi | $118,931 | $1,614/mo | 85% |
| Amelia County, VA | 15 mi | $76,717 | $1,164/mo | 82% |
| Cumberland County, VA | 19 mi | $55,325 | $877/mo | 76% |
| Chesterfield County, VA | 21 mi | $101,931 | $1,629/mo | 77% |
| Richmond city, VA | 24 mi | $64,587 | $1,372/mo | 44% |
| Hanover County, VA | 27 mi | $112,805 | $1,591/mo | 82% |
Debt-to-income at Powhatan County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Powhatan County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Powhatan County: $9,211
- 13% goes to median rent ($1,168)
- $2,517: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $1,168, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Powhatan County
Degree holders: 35% of adults over 25. 4.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Powhatan County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.0% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.3% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.0% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 23.1% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 4.6% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Powhatan County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 18.0% |
| 60+ min | 10.7% |
What the numbers mean for Powhatan County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Powhatan County borrowers.
- Commuter costs. 29% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Retirees. At a median age of 45.8, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Consolidation math. With 55% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
Licensing and complaints for Powhatan County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Powhatan County resident can confirm its license with 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.
Checklist for Powhatan County applicants
Steps that save money for Powhatan County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Virginia.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Powhatan County a high-income county?
Its $110,537 median ranks 18th of 133 Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Powhatan County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,168 against $1,579 statewide, and 44% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Powhatan County?
By population: Powhatan. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Can Powhatan County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Virginia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Powhatan County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Virginia it is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions.