c.1860 Virginia Country Church For Sale $60K

114 School St, Drakes Branch, VA 23937    $60,000

• Contact Realtor: Austin Welch
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This is the former Mount Calvary United Methodist Church. The cemetery has 110 gravestones with several graves of military men who perished in WWII. One is particular is the tombstone of SSGT Adolphus Thomas Clements (1921-1944).  Per Find-A-Grave, “There is a headstone for Tommie on the “Tablets of the Missing” at the Manila American Cemetery in Manila, The Philippines. Tommie’s plane was shot down over New Guinea and his body was never recovered. There is a headstone but no grave at Mount Calvary UMC.”

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Pros of Living in Drakes Branch, VA

1. Low Cost of Living

   • According to Citytistics, the cost of living in Drakes Branch is below the U.S. average.

   • Housing is relatively affordable: median property value is $119,100 per Data USA.

   • Rental costs (per City-Data) are modest: median gross rent is around $515.

2. Small-Town, Quiet Lifestyle

   • The population is very small (about 475 per Data USA) which can mean more privacy, less congestion, and a strong sense of community.

   • The median age is quite high (~50.5 years), per Census-Reporter, suggesting a more mature, possibly quieter community.

   • According to Citytistics, Drakes Branch scores decently on “livability” when considering things like cost, safety, and general quality-of-life.

3. Affordable Property Taxes & Homeownership Potential

   • With relatively low home values, property taxes are likely more manageable than in higher-cost Virginia towns.

   • Homeownership rate in Drakes Branch is about 58.7% per Data USA.

4. Diversity

   • The town has a racial mix: about 52% White (non-Hispanic), 44% Black or African American, per Data USA.

   • This level of diversity in a small town could foster a more inclusive community feel.

5. Employment in Certain Sectors

   • According to Data USA, relatively many residents work in Health Care & Social Assistance, Education, and Transportation / Utilities.

   • Some local jobs are reasonable (e.g., transportation / utilities pay relatively well within the local economy).

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Cons / Challenges of Living in Drakes Branch, VA

1. Very Low Median Income

   • The median household income is only $19,620 per Data USA.

   • According to Census-Reporter, the per capita income is also quite low (~$21,644).

   • Such low income means many households may struggle with basic expenses, even if housing is cheap.

2. High Poverty Rate

   • Data USA indicates 28.8% of residents live below the poverty line.

   • This is significantly higher than the Virginia average, which could impact local services, school funding, and community resources.

3. Aging / Declining Population

   • The median age is very high (50.5), per Census-Reporter.

   • The population has declined recently: Data USA notes a drop (-6.5% in some recent year).

   • A shrinking or aging population can mean less economic vibrancy or difficulty sustaining local institutions (schools, businesses, etc.).

4. Crime Considerations

   • According to CrimeGrade, Drakes Branch’s overall crime grade is C-.

   • Violent crime is graded D and property crime B, per CrimeGrade, which suggests some risk.

   • CrimeGrade estimates the cost of crime per household is ~$1,321, which is a non-trivial burden.

5. Long Commute & Transportation Dependency

   • The average commute time is ~29.7 minutes according to Data USA, which is higher than average for a small town.

   • Nearly all workers (94.7%) drive alone to work, per Data USA, implying high car dependence.

   • With limited public transit, getting around may be more difficult (or costly) if you don’t drive.

6. Limited Economic Opportunity

   • Given the town’s very small size, job variety is likely limited, especially in high-growth sectors.

   • Many working-age residents are employed in sectors that may not pay very high wages locally (health, education, “other services”).

   • With low income and high poverty, upward mobility may be challenging without commuting or remote work.

7. Aging Housing Stock / Modest Home Values

   • While housing is affordable, the lower values also mean limited equity potential, especially for long-term investment.

   • The homeownership rate is under 60%, so not everyone owns; plus, smaller tax base may slow infrastructure improvements.

8. Fewer Amenities

   • As a small rural town, amenities like large shopping centers, specialized healthcare, or entertainment venues are likely limited.

   • You may need to travel to nearby larger towns for many services (medical, retail, recreation).

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