Hunt & Live

Greene County, VA

21,107 residents · 156 sq mi · 135.3/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
54.7°F
45.9" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.81
Hardiness
Zone 8a
Winter low ~14.6°F

About Greene County

Greene County is a county in Virginia in the eastern United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,552. Its county seat is Stanardsville.

48
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #1645 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in Greene County offers a rural experience characterized by a temperate climate, with an annual mean temperature of 54.7°F and 45.9 inches of rainfall per year. The growing season is suitable for many crops, particularly in USDA zone 8a. The area is predominantly rural, with a density of 135.3 people per square mile, providing ample space for self-sufficient living. However, the county's terrain may present challenges for certain types of agriculture or livestock management.

This area faces several natural hazards, with hurricanes ranked at 64 and drought at 54 on the FEMA scale, indicating significant risk. While the violence percentile is relatively low at 31, suggesting a safer environment, the disaster percentile of 9 indicates a higher likelihood of experiencing natural disasters. The median home price of $287,800 may be a barrier for some potential residents, particularly those looking for affordable homesteading options.

Greene County is likely to appeal to individuals or families seeking a rural lifestyle with a focus on self-sufficiency and a moderate climate. Those who thrive here will appreciate the spaciousness and lower violence rates. However, the risks associated with hurricanes and drought may deter some, particularly those unprepared for potential natural disasters. A dealbreaker for homesteaders could be the higher median home prices, while the effective property tax rate of 0.64% may be a hidden gem for budget-conscious buyers.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #860 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#18 of 133 in VA
Ranked #18 of 133 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: hurricane
FEMA ranks hurricane risk at 64/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Urban: 135/sqmi
Densely populated at 135 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 54.7°F annual mean and 45.9" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 8a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $287,800.

Score Breakdown

Violence
70
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
9
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
77
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
9.3
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Avalanche 52
Cold Wave 9
Drought 54
Earthquake 42
Hail 25
Hurricane 64
Heat Wave 31
Riverine Flood 25
Ice Storm 14
Landslide 46
Lightning 34
Strong Wind 36
Tornado 14
Wildfire 43
Winter Weather 20

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
85.6°F
Winter low
24.6°F
Heating degree days
4,648
Cooling degree days
912

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$287,800
Median HH income
$81,338
Price to income
3.5×
Property tax rate
0.64%
~$1,841/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
41.7
Homeownership
78.2%
Poverty rate
11.1%
Unemployment
3.8%

Connectivity

Broadband households
76.6%
No internet access
7.3%

Explore Greene County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.