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Staunton, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Staunton, Virginia had a total population of 25,948, the 43rd largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $65,581, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.4%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Staunton Quick Facts

Population 25,948
Median Household Income $65,581
Median Home Value $259,200
Poverty Rate 12.4%
Unemployment Rate 5.3%
Median Age 39.9 years
Homeownership Rate 60.9%
Affordability Ratio 4.0x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 37.7%
High School Graduation Rate 93.9%
Diversity Index 37/100
Population 25,948 43rd of 681
Median Income $65,581 average
Poverty Rate 12.4% about the same as national
Median Home Value $259,200 average

How Staunton Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population25,76525,948+0.7%
Median household income$62,586$65,581+4.8%
Median home value$239,300$259,200+8.3%

How Staunton Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 17.2%
$25K-$50K 21.8%
$50K-$100K 31.5%
$100K+ 29.5%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.5%
$10K-$15K
5.3%
$15K-$20K
3.5%
$20K-$25K
3.9%
$25K-$30K
4.3%
$30K-$35K
4.1%
$35K-$40K
3.6%
$40K-$45K
5.1%
$45K-$50K
4.7%
$50K-$60K
6.5%
$60K-$75K
10.8%
$75K-$100K
14.2%
$100K-$125K
11.5%
$125K-$150K
6.4%
$150K-$200K
7.0%
$200K+
4.5%

Employment

5.3% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3%|National: 5.2%
59.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 60.9%
Renter 39.1%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.0x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,024/mo 18.7% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

37out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 61 | National average: 61

Education

Staunton Rankings in Virginia

#43 Population of 681
#335 Median Income of 585
#230 Education of 680
#308 Home Value of 580

Explore Virginia Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Staunton

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Salem25,618$66,725$258,60033.1%10.3%
Winchester27,913$63,974$343,00031.3%21.5%
Cave Spring25,742$87,539$325,80048.8%5.9%
Waynesboro22,841$59,994$245,50025.7%11.2%
Hopewell22,959$54,729$181,60013.7%21.8%

Population Overview

Staunton is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 25,948. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Staunton is 39.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Staunton is $65,581. This is 30% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $259,200. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Staunton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.

Education

37.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower 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 93.9%. Notably, 16.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Staunton, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Staunton, Virginia?

Staunton, Virginia has a population of 25,948 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Staunton, VA?

The median household income in Staunton is $65,581, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Staunton, VA?

The poverty rate in Staunton is 12.4%. This means approximately 3,007 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Staunton, Virginia?

Staunton's population is 78.3% White, 10.3% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Staunton, VA?

The median home value in Staunton is $259,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.

How educated is Staunton, Virginia?

37.7% of adults (25+) in Staunton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.