Gainesville, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gainesville, Virginia had a total population of 18,196, the 74th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $174,410, which is 87% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 87% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Virginia.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.0% — among the lowest in Virginia.
Gainesville Quick Facts
How Gainesville Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,036 | 18,196 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $168,978 | $174,410 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $660,800 | $712,600 | +7.8% |
How Gainesville Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gainesville Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Prince William County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale City | 71,016 | $111,994 | 7.0% | $425,500 |
| Lake Ridge | 46,049 | $127,154 | 5.8% | $471,200 |
| Woodbridge | 43,945 | $104,741 | 9.0% | $422,400 |
| Linton Hall | 41,876 | $178,915 | 2.2% | $617,000 |
| Cherry Hill | 26,044 | $122,447 | 8.6% | $492,500 |
| Montclair | 22,387 | $155,774 | 3.8% | $577,800 |
| Leesylvania | 21,632 | $132,524 | 4.4% | $531,500 |
| Buckhall | 21,602 | $180,021 | 6.0% | $635,500 |
| Sudley | 19,162 | $94,309 | 10.2% | $424,800 |
| Bull Run (Prince William County) | 16,859 | $89,679 | 13.7% | $413,500 |
Cities Similar to Gainesville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franconia | 18,335 | $152,474 | $567,100 | 66.8% | 2.8% |
| Kingstowne | 18,360 | $151,535 | $626,700 | 67.5% | 4.4% |
| Burke Centre | 17,037 | $164,123 | $641,700 | 65.5% | 5.3% |
| Stone Ridge | 16,603 | $187,563 | $672,800 | 75.1% | 1.8% |
| Franklin Farm | 18,736 | $215,544 | $829,600 | 78.7% | 1.5% |
Population Overview
Gainesville is a small city located in Virginia, within Prince William County. The total population is 18,196. It ranks as the 74th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gainesville is 37.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gainesville is $174,410. This is 87% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 116% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.0%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $712,600. Housing costs are 86% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 83.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gainesville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 14.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (14.6% vs 6.9%).
Education
58.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.9%. Notably, 22.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gainesville, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gainesville, Virginia?
Gainesville, Virginia has a population of 18,196 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gainesville, VA?
The median household income in Gainesville is $174,410, which is 116% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gainesville, VA?
The poverty rate in Gainesville is 4.0%. This means approximately 719 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gainesville, Virginia?
Gainesville's population is 53.0% White, 14.2% Black, 11.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 14.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gainesville, VA?
The median home value in Gainesville is $712,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Gainesville, Virginia?
58.0% of adults (25+) in Gainesville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.