Essex County, Virginia Housing Market
In Essex County, Virginia, the median home value is $238,100, with a median monthly rent of $972. This places Essex County at #1006 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #79 within Virginia.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $937
- Establishments: 362
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 62
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 4,549 (avg $68,549)
- Outflow: 4,295 (avg $66,899)
- IRS Statistics of Income
🔗 Explore Essex County on Our Sister Sites
Get the complete picture for Essex County — financing options and ongoing ownership costs.
💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Essex County Compares
| Metric | Essex County | Virginia Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $238,100 | $295,807 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $972 | $1,169 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 71.7% | 70.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 20.4 | 20.3 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Essex County is 19.5% below the Virginia state average and 4.6% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $972/month is 16.9% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 20.4, renting is generally more cost-effective than buying in the short to medium term. The market favors buyers only for long-term holds.
Essex County has an owner-occupancy rate of 71.7%, compared to 70.8% in Virginia and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson County | Kentucky | $238,000 | $1,008 |
| Kennebec County | Maine | $238,200 | $992 |
| Habersham County | Georgia | $238,300 | $974 |
| Judith Basin County | Montana | $238,300 | $495 |
| Mills County | Iowa | $237,800 | $959 |
Other Counties in Virginia
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surry County | $238,800 | $983 | 79.5% |
| Cumberland County | $239,300 | $877 | 75.9% |
| Franklin County | $240,400 | $829 | 78.5% |
| Charles City County | $241,400 | $1,099 | 86.3% |
| Page County | $233,200 | $879 | 71.8% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).