Stafford County, Virginia Demographics 2026
Stafford County, Virginia has a population of 163,466, the 12th most populous county in Virginia. The median household income is $137,807 and the median home value is $485,100. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Stafford County Quick Facts
How Stafford County 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 | 160,520 | 163,466 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $133,792 | $137,807 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $458,800 | $485,100 | +5.7% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Stafford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquia Harbour | 7,481 | $152,708 | 4.8% | $461,000 |
| Stafford Courthouse | 5,839 | $127,849 | 2.8% | $548,000 |
| Falmouth | 5,216 | $111,977 | 7.2% | $438,200 |
| Southern Gateway | 2,771 | $95,227 | 7.8% | $344,600 |
| Camp Barrett | 1,681 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Boswell's Corner | 1,239 | N/A | 3.9% | N/A |
Explore Virginia Rankings
Population Overview
Stafford County is located in Virginia with a total population of 163,466. It is the 12th most populous county out of 133 in Virginia. The county encompasses 6 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stafford County is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stafford County is $137,807. This is 48% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 71% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 53% 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 3.7%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $485,100. Housing costs are 26% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 80.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Stafford County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.6% vs 11.0%).
Education
43.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 92.7%. Notably, 18.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Stafford County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Virginia and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Stafford County, Virginia?
Stafford County has a population of 163,466, making it the 12th most populous county in Virginia.
What is the median income in Stafford County?
The median household income in Stafford County is $137,807 with a poverty rate of 4.7%.
How many cities are in Stafford County, Virginia?
Stafford County contains 6 Census-designated places.