1st Advantage MortgageSurry County households have a median income of $78,041 and median rent of $983 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of Surry County
- Household income in Surry County
- How Surry County residents earn a living
- What it costs to live in Surry County
- Towns and communities in Surry County
- Counties near Surry County
- Room for a loan payment in Surry County
- People and households in Surry County
- Reading the Surry County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Surry County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Surry County
With an estimated 6,549 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Surry County ranks 126th of 133 in Virginia for population. It covers 279 square miles of land, or about 23 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Surry County, Claremont leads by population with about 393; 3 of the 4 are incorporated. Because Surry County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Surry County
The median household income in Surry County is $78,041; statewide it is $93,170, so Surry County runs 16% below Virginia as a whole. Only 49 Virginia counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Surry County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.1% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.1% | +1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.6% | +1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.3% | -9.4 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 39% clear $100,000. Census counts 10.5% of Surry County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Surry County median.
How Surry County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Surry County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by arts, lodging and food service (11%). Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward construction (10% against 7%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 78% drive to work alone and 46% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Surry County | Difference from Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.9% | -1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.8% | +2.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% | +3.4 pts |
| Construction | 10.4% | +3.9 pts |
| Public administration | 10.0% | +1.2 pts |
| Other services | 8.7% | +3.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Surry County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What it costs to live in Surry County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $983 in Surry County versus $1,579 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $238,800, about 3.1 times the median household income. 80% of Surry County households own their home and 20% rent. The median year built is 1983.
| Measure | Surry County | Virginia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $983/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $238,800 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.9% | 4.3% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Surry County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Towns and communities in Surry County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Surry County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 1,069 residents, leaving about 84% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont | town | 393 | $58,542 | $990 | 9 mi |
| Dendron | town | 303 | $58,214 | $1,042 | 6 mi |
| Surry | town | 212 | $85,417 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Scotland | CDP | 161 | $44,028 | $1,644 | 6 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Counties near Surry County
Six nearby counties, 14 to 20 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. James City County leads the group on income ($109,985), Newport News city trails ($69,634), and Surry County out-earns 3 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surry County | - | $78,041 | $983/mo | 80% |
| Williamsburg city, VA | 14 mi | $75,604 | $1,407/mo | 53% |
| James City County, VA | 15 mi | $109,985 | $1,552/mo | 77% |
| Isle of Wight County, VA | 18 mi | $95,241 | $1,359/mo | 80% |
| Charles City County, VA | 19 mi | $75,417 | $1,099/mo | 86% |
| Prince George County, VA | 19 mi | $84,897 | $1,594/mo | 74% |
| Newport News city, VA | 20 mi | $69,634 | $1,339/mo | 48% |
Room for a loan payment in Surry County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Surry County's medians:
- $78,041 a year is $6,503 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $983, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,358: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Surry County's.
People and households in Surry County
Degree holders: 27% of adults over 25. 3.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Surry County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.4 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.1% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.6% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.1% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.7% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 8.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.8% |
| 60+ min | 30.1% |
Reading the Surry County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Surry County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Vehicle repairs. 46% of Surry County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 15% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Retirees. At a median age of 50.4, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Licensing and complaints for Surry County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Surry County resident can confirm its license with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Surry County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Surry County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Surry County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Virginia.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Surry County household make?
About $78,041 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 16% below the Virginia median.
How does Surry County rent compare with Virginia?
$983 locally versus $1,579 for the state, 38% below.
Should Surry County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Surry 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 Claremont?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Surry County, such as Dendron, Surry, Scotland.
Will a Surry County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Virginia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.