Hunt & Live

King and Queen County, VA

6,718 residents · 315 sq mi · 21.3/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
58.4°F
46.9" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.65
Hardiness
Zone 8b
Winter low ~17.5°F

About King and Queen County

King and Queen County is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia, located in the state's Middle Peninsula on the eastern edge of the Greater Richmond Region. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,608. Its county seat is King and Queen Court House.

61
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #839 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a predominantly rural lifestyle with a low population density of 21.3 people per square mile, allowing for significant space and privacy. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 58.4°F, with a growing season suitable for USDA zone 8b, which supports a variety of crops. Ample rainfall at 46.9 inches per year provides good water resources for gardening and farming, though the humid climate may require attention to moisture management.

This county faces several natural hazards, with drought ranked as a significant risk at FEMA rank 96, which could impact water availability for homesteading. Hurricanes and coastal flooding also present concerns, with ranks of 68 and 52 respectively. The area has a moderate violence percentile of 56, indicating some level of risk, and a relatively low broadband subscription rate of 27%, which may affect connectivity for remote work or research.

This location may suit individuals or families looking for a peaceful, rural lifestyle with decent agricultural potential, particularly those who can manage the risks of drought and hurricanes. However, it may not be ideal for those who rely heavily on technology or seek urban amenities. The potential for natural hazards, particularly drought, could be a dealbreaker for serious homesteaders focused on self-sufficiency.

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

Key Facts

Ranked #602 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#11 of 133 in VA
Ranked #11 of 133 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: drought
FEMA ranks drought risk at 96/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Sparse population
21.3 people per square mile — well below the CONUS average.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 58.4°F annual mean and 46.9" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 8b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $212,500.

Score Breakdown

Violence
70
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
16
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
30
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
16.2
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Coastal Flood 52
Cold Wave 5
Drought 96
Earthquake 34
Hail 16
Hurricane 68
Heat Wave 23
Riverine Flood 17
Ice Storm 30
Landslide 40
Lightning 10
Strong Wind 17
Tornado 19
Wildfire 18
Winter Weather 7

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
89.2°F
Winter low
27.5°F
Heating degree days
3,796
Cooling degree days
1,413

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$212,500
Median HH income
$70,147
Price to income
Property tax rate
0.57%
~$1,221/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
47.4
Homeownership
77.7%
Poverty rate
19.9%
Unemployment
5.7%

Connectivity

Broadband households
26.6%
No internet access
26.6%

Explore King and Queen 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.