County brief·Updated June 2, 2026

Buchanan County, Virginia Eviction Risk: Low

5 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of Grundy (3) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.

County Risk Score2.6/ 10 · Low

Cities tracked5municipalities

Census tracts7scored

Population2kLiving in 5 cities

Income spent on rent29.3%avg renter household

Average rent$825/ month

How Buchanan County ranks in Virginia

Lower number means more extreme, where #1 is the most

Eviction Risk Score

Very Low

#129 of 132 VA counties 2.6 / 10

#129 of 132 counties in Virginia for landlord eviction risk.

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

Moderate

#74 of 132 VA counties 29.1% of income

#74 of 132 counties in Virginia on % of income spent on rent.

Cities in Buchanan County

Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first

Map view

	City↕	Population↕	Risk↕	% income on rent↕	Average rent↕	Lean↕
001	Grundy Pop 872 · 22.5% income · $950 rent · Rep	872	2.5	22.5%	$950	Rep
002	Vansant Pop 551 · 43.4% income · $727 rent · Rep	551	2.9	43.4%	$727	Rep
003	Big Rock Pop 384 · 26.1% income · $782 rent · Rep	384	2.3	26.1%	$782	Rep
004	Breaks Pop 208 · 27.2% income · $648 rent · Rep	208	2.4	27.2%	$648	Rep
005	Doran Pop 37 · 26.1% income · $782 rent · Rep	37	3.0	26.1%	$782	Rep

County heatmap

Geographic distribution

Local landlord context

One county, multiple regulatory regimes.

Buchanan County spans 5 cities serving approximately 2,052 residents. The average landlord eviction risk across the county is 2.6/10. The county voted Republican by 67.6 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.

Reviewed by NextGen Properties Research Team · Last updated June 2, 2026

Eviction filings in Buchanan County

Eviction Lab Tracking System · live through 2026-05-01

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

Same state, closest by population and Eviction Risk Score

Where eviction risk concentrates in Buchanan County

Top cities + top neighborhoods · click any card for the full breakdown

Top cities by population

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Buchanan County

Why is rent-to-income ratio 29.3% in Buchanan County?

Rent-to-income ratio of 29.3% reflects the ratio of average gross rent to average household income across 5 cities in Buchanan County.

What court hears evictions in Buchanan County?

Virginia state court hears unlawful detainer or summary process actions in Buchanan County. See the Virginia eviction laws eviction-process guide for court name and procedure.

Does Buchanan 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.