Virginia
Rural Retreat is a small town in Virginia with a population of 1,614. Residents earn $60,114 per year, which is 20% below the national average.
Based on current data, Rural Retreat receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Rural Retreat offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Rural Retreat is $60,114, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. The poverty rate of 21.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
The median home value in Rural Retreat is $167,900, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $778 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Rural Retreat is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 734 per 100,000, 63% below the national average.
24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.
Rural Retreat experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.7 inches, including 18.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.
| English Only | 98.8% |
| 26% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 1.2% |
| 91% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $60,114 |
| 20% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $29,051 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $895 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $58,538 |
| Unemployment | 1.2% |
| 67% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% |
| 73% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 936 |
| County GDP | $1,891M |
| Restaurants | 80 |
| Healthcare | 83 |
| Retail | 133 |
| Manufacturing | 34 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,500 |
| 29% below US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.49% |
| Commute Time | 24.8 min |
| Work from Home | 6.7% |
| Census Median | $167,900 |
| 40% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $204,385 |
| Census Median Rent | $778 |
| 33% below US avg |
| Studio | $1,137 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,181 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,369 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,787 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,126 |
| Owner-Occupied | 84.5% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,500 |
| 29% below US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.49% |
| Obesity | 37.5% |
| 17% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 10.2% |
| Heart Disease | 5.7% |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.2% |
| Asthma | 11.2% |
| COPD | 6.8% |
| Stroke | 3.0% |
| Binge Drinking | 17.3% |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.6% |
| Depression | 26.7% |
| Mental Distress | 19.2% |
| Physical Distress | 13.7% |
| Insurance Rate | 90.8% |
| Checkup Rate | 76.5% |
| Premature Death | 12,205/100K |
| Food Environment | 7.5/10 |
| Exercise Access | 71.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 83 |
| Total Violent | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 0.0/100K |
| Total Property | 733.8/100K |
| 63% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 133.4/100K |
| Theft | 600.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 0.0/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 6 |
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 52.6°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 41.7 inches |
| 10% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 18.4 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 2,572 ft (784 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 708/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.9051°N, 81.2773°W |
| County FIPS | 51197 |
Winner: Republican by 59.5 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.4% |
| 28% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 94.3% |
| School Test Score | 5.58 |
| RUCC Code 6 | Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent |
| Population Density | 708/sq mi |
| Total Area | 2.3 sq mi |
| Public Libraries | 2 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 83 |
| Restaurants | 80 |
| Retail Stores | 133 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 6 |
| Avg Commute | 24.8 min |
| Work from Home | 6.7% |