C+

Cheriton, VA

Source:

Affordability Score: 60/100

Population: 342 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Cheriton, VA aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 342 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C+ (60/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $74,167, median home value of $228,300, median rent of per month, and 7.4% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $949 per month (studio $719, 1BR $723, 3BR $1,320, 4BR $1,592). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $9,870 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Cheriton, VA include rent. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 0.0% and poverty 30.8% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C+
$74,167
Median household income
Education F
7.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing B-
3.1x
Home value $228,300 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A
$949/mo
2BR fair market rent (15% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C
$9,870/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$74,167
▲ 20% vs national
Per Capita Income
$31,076
Unemployment Rate
0.0%
Poverty Rate
30.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
$228,300
▼ 17% vs national
Median Rent
Owner Occupied
100.0%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$949/mo
▼ 21% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$719
1BR
$723
2BR
$949
3BR
$1,320
4BR
$1,592

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
7.4%
▼ 23 ppt vs national
High School+
43.2%
Median Age
36.4
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$9,870/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$8,625/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,923/yr
School-Age (Center)
$7,178/yr

What This Means

Cheriton, VA receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (60/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 342. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Cheriton, VA affordable?
Cheriton, VA receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (60/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $74,167. Median home value is $228,300.
What is the cost of living in Cheriton?
Key cost metrics: 2BR fair market rent $949/mo. Infant childcare $9,870/yr. Median home value $228,300.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →