1st Advantage MortgageSussex County households have a median income of $63,530 and median rent of $907 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Sussex County
- Paychecks and income spread in Sussex County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Sussex County
- Employment and commuting in Sussex County
- Sussex County towns compared
- The counties around Sussex County
- Room for a loan payment in Sussex County
- People and households in Sussex County
- Reading the Sussex County data as a borrower
- Virginia rules that apply in Sussex County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Sussex County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Sussex County
Sussex County is home to about 10,765 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 114th most populous of 133 county-level areas in Virginia. It covers 490 square miles of land, or about 22 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Richmond, VA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 4 Census places inside Sussex County, Waverly leads by population with about 2,324; 3 of the 4 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Sussex County
At $63,530, the typical Sussex County household income is 3% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 80 Virginia counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Sussex County | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.1% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.8% | +10.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.4% | -3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -13.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 30% of Sussex County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. Census counts 11.6% of Sussex County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.417 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Sussex County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $907 in Sussex County versus $1,579 statewide. By the Census definition, 56% of Sussex County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $183,800, about 2.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 70% of homes. Median construction year: 1980.
| Measure | Sussex County | Virginia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $907/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $183,800 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 20% | 9% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Employment and commuting in Sussex County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Sussex County residents work in education and health care and 15% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 15% locally and 7% for Virginia. The survey's unemployment rate for Sussex County averages 4.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). 39% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. 9.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Sussex County workers | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.7% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.2% | +5.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.6% | +7.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -8.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.5 pts |
| Public administration | 7.4% | -1.5 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.
Sussex County towns compared
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 37% of Sussex County residents live in one of the 4. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | town | 2,324 | $50,156 | $836 | 12 mi |
| Wakefield | town | 1,201 | $62,386 | $966 | 15 mi |
| Stony Creek | town | 341 | $64,811 | $785 | 8 mi |
| Sussex | CDP | 66 | n/a | n/a | 1 mi |
The counties around Sussex County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (17 to 24 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Sussex County; Prince George County is highest at $84,897 and Petersburg city lowest at $50,698.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex County | - | $63,530 | $907/mo | 70% |
| Southampton County, VA | 17 mi | $70,795 | $930/mo | 76% |
| Prince George County, VA | 18 mi | $84,897 | $1,594/mo | 74% |
| Petersburg city, VA | 21 mi | $50,698 | $1,174/mo | 39% |
| Emporia city, VA | 22 mi | $51,899 | $1,037/mo | 38% |
| Dinwiddie County, VA | 23 mi | $83,704 | $1,224/mo | 80% |
| Greensville County, VA | 24 mi | $54,668 | $969/mo | 66% |
Room for a loan payment in Sussex County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Sussex County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,294 gross per month ($63,530 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $907 uses 17%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $999 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,369 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
People and households in Sussex County
16% of Sussex County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Sussex County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.5% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.1% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.6% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.2% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.5% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 23.7% |
| 60+ min | 15.2% |
Reading the Sussex County data as a borrower
What the Sussex County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Long drives. With 39% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Sussex County budgets.
- Manufactured homes. 18% of Sussex County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 56% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Virginia rules that apply in Sussex 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. See the Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Sussex County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Sussex County
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Sussex County?
$63,530 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $93,170 for Virginia. It ranks 81st of 133 in the state.
How much is rent in Sussex County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $907 a month; 56% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Sussex County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Waverly, Wakefield, Stony Creek, Sussex.
Can Sussex 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Sussex County?
Start with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.