Best counties to live in Virginia

Mark Lagola and Ben Lunsford // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to live in Virginia

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Virginia using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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Raul654 // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Prince George County

- Population: 38,114
- Median home value: $213,300 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,338 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $71,912

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AgnosticPreachersKid // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Frederick County

- Population: 86,415
- Median home value: $251,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,125 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $78,002

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Isle of Wight County

- Population: 36,627
- Median home value: $266,800 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,045 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $73,991

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Wyatt Greene // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Appomattox County

- Population: 15,707
- Median home value: $158,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $691 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $58,696

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LexingtonPark // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Rockbridge County

- Population: 22,570
- Median home value: $199,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $800 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $54,600

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Wikipelli // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Spotsylvania County

- Population: 132,833
- Median home value: $284,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,477 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $88,628

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Cecouchman // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Fauquier County

- Population: 69,728
- Median home value: $395,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,281 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $100,783

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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Rockingham County

- Population: 80,284
- Median home value: $211,500 (74% own)
- Median rent: $907 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $61,864

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Rutke421 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Washington County

- Population: 54,071
- Median home value: $151,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $716 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $48,495

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Botetourt County

- Population: 33,343
- Median home value: $227,700 (86% own)
- Median rent: $908 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $71,110

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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#15. King George County

- Population: 26,229
- Median home value: $307,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,208 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $94,274

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Ser Amantio di Nicolao // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Powhatan County

- Population: 28,815
- Median home value: $279,200 (90% own)
- Median rent: $980 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $89,090

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Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Prince William County

- Population: 461,423
- Median home value: $382,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,713 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $107,132

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Jscott // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Goochland County

- Population: 22,865
- Median home value: $375,200 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,208 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $93,994

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Roanoke County

- Population: 93,823
- Median home value: $199,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $956 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $68,948

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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Hanover County

- Population: 105,537
- Median home value: $282,900 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,159 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $89,390

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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Stafford County

- Population: 146,773
- Median home value: $346,100 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,546 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $111,108

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Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Montgomery County

- Population: 98,140
- Median home value: $227,100 (55% own)
- Median rent: $992 (45% rent)
- Median household income: $57,977

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James Shelton32 // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Chesterfield County

- Population: 343,551
- Median home value: $241,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,251 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $82,599

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Rifleman 82 // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Henrico County

- Population: 327,535
- Median home value: $242,600 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,170 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $70,307

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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#5. James City County

- Population: 74,916
- Median home value: $340,500 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,327 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $87,678

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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#4. York County

- Population: 67,982
- Median home value: $327,100 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,480 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $92,069

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Munich // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Fairfax County

- Population: 1,145,862
- Median home value: $563,100 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,881 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $124,831

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Mark Lagola and Ben Lunsford // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Albemarle County

- Population: 107,405
- Median home value: $356,100 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,273 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $79,880

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Nicole Glass Photography // Shutterstock

#1. Loudoun County

- Population: 395,134
- Median home value: $508,100 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,870 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $142,299

Best counties to live in Virginia