Winchester, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Winchester, Virginia had a total population of 27,913, the 41st largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $63,974, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Winchester Quick Facts
How Winchester 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 | 27,981 | 27,913 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $64,648 | $63,974 | -1.0% |
| Median home value | $325,900 | $343,000 | +5.2% |
How Winchester 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+)
Winchester Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Winchester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staunton | 25,948 | $65,581 | $259,200 | 37.7% | 12.4% |
| Salem | 25,618 | $66,725 | $258,600 | 33.1% | 10.3% |
| Fredericksburg | 28,873 | $86,071 | $483,700 | 46.1% | 13.2% |
| Waynesboro | 22,841 | $59,994 | $245,500 | 25.7% | 11.2% |
| Cave Spring | 25,742 | $87,539 | $325,800 | 48.8% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Winchester is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 27,913. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Winchester is 36.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Winchester is $63,974. This is 31% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.5%. This is 117% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $343,000. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 43.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Winchester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.9%. The Black or African American population (7.7%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.9% vs 11.0%). The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
31.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Winchester, 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 Winchester, Virginia?
Winchester, Virginia has a population of 27,913 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Winchester, VA?
The median household income in Winchester is $63,974, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Winchester, VA?
The poverty rate in Winchester is 21.5%. This means approximately 5,749 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Winchester, Virginia?
Winchester's population is 61.4% White, 7.7% Black, 20.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Winchester, VA?
The median home value in Winchester is $343,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Winchester, Virginia?
31.3% of adults (25+) in Winchester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.