Sussex: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Sussex center on a median $-666,666,666, with homes at a median value of $-666,666,666. The surrounding county supports 3,215 jobs (avg $53,408).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $-666,666,666 — below the Virginia median ($92,968).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 2.2× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 12.7% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $4,310 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $219,875 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $51,015 (vs Virginia $92,983) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $95,185 |
| Median Household Income | $-666,666,666 (vs Virginia $92,968) |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | service_economy |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Other Services |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $83,531 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 9.1% — above the U.S. average of ~4%.
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
|---|---|
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 3,215 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $171,703,345 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $53,408 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 3,981,130 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.1% (vs Virginia 2.9%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 5 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 61,381 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 12,276.20 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Grain, Cotton, Soybeans, Corn, Field Crops, Other |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 167 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 1,868 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 71,922 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 3 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 6 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Hotels Motels | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Full Service Restaurants | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Fast Food | 7 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 6 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 7 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (3)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (3)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Rainbow Fuels Inc |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 7.8 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | BEDFORD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $73,804,277 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,815.43 (vs Virginia $14,580) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 10,829 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 100.0% |
|---|---|
| Retirement Score · Median age | 47.0 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 100.0% |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | good |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12