Eviction Risk Score
Moderate
#61
of 132 VA counties
4.8 / 10
#61 of 132 counties in Virginia for landlord eviction risk.
County brief·Updated June 2, 2026
Amherst County, Virginia Eviction Risk: Moderate
2 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of Madison Heights (4.8) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.
County Risk Score4.8/ 10 · Moderate
Cities tracked2municipalities
Census tracts10scored
Population12kLiving in 2 cities
Income spent on rent27.6%avg renter household
Average rent$847/ month
How Amherst County ranks in Virginia
Cost of living
Elevated
#16
of 51 states (statewide)
101.1 index
Virginia ranks #16 of 51 states on overall cost of living (1.1% more expensive than the U.S. avg).
Housing services cost
Elevated
#17
of 51 states (statewide)
106.8 index
Virginia ranks #17 of 51 states on housing services (6.8% more expensive than the U.S. avg).
Income spent on rent
Low
#85
of 132 VA counties
28.1% of income
#85 of 132 counties in Virginia on % of income spent on rent.
Cities in Amherst County
Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first
| City↕ | Population↕ | Risk↕ | % income on rent↕ | Average rent↕ | Lean↕ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Madison Heights | 10,266 | 4.8 | 27.4% | $871 | Rep |
| 002 | Amherst | 1,865 | 4.7 | 28.8% | $718 | Rep |
County heatmap
Local landlord context
One county, multiple regulatory regimes.
Amherst County spans 2 cities serving approximately 12,131 residents. The average landlord eviction risk across the county is 4.8/10. The county voted Republican by 31.6 points in 2020.
Risk varies city-by-city. The table above shows exact scores, population, and average rent for every municipality. Click any city for the full sub-score breakdown, including local political climate, rent-control exposure, tenant organizing strength, and typical eviction cost and timeline.
Eviction filings in Amherst County
The Princeton Eviction Lab Tracking System covers Virginia statewide (no county-level tracker available). In the past month, 10,534 filings were recorded, 1.07× the historical baseline (near baseline). YTD filings: 46,492; pandemic-era total: 643,855.
- 10,534Past month
- 139,873Past 12 months
- 1.02×vs baseline (12 mo)
- $1,567Average rent
Last 36 months of filings
2023-05-01 - 2026-04-01
Filings dropped 12% over the past 12 months.
Notice requirement: at least five days notice (in some cases more). Filing fee: minimum filing fee of $36.
Peer counties in Virginia
Peer county
King George County eviction risk
4.8
/ 10 · Moderate
Pop. 10.4K
Peer county
Gloucester County eviction risk
4.7
/ 10 · Moderate
Pop. 14.4K
Peer county
Campbell County eviction risk
4.9
/ 10 · Moderate
Pop. 18.8K
Peer county
Bristol city eviction risk
4.9
/ 10 · Moderate
Pop. 16.8K
Where eviction risk concentrates in Amherst County
Top cities by population
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Amherst County
Q1
Why is rent-to-income ratio 27.6% in Amherst County?
Rent-to-income ratio of 27.6% reflects the ratio of average gross rent to average household income across 2 cities in Amherst County.
Q2
What court hears evictions in Amherst County?
Virginia state court hears unlawful detainer or summary process actions in Amherst County. See the Virginia eviction laws eviction-process guide for court name and procedure.
Q3
Does Amherst County have just-cause eviction?
Just-cause eviction is determined by state law. Virginia eviction laws framework applies; see the Virginia eviction laws tenant-protections guide.