Stafford County, Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 12th-largest in Virginia

The population of Stafford County, Virginia is 160,520 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 12th-largest county in Virginia. The median household income is $133,792, the median home value is $458,800, and the median age is 36.3.

The population of Stafford County has grown 30.1% since 2010 (129,857 → 168,919), a +1.90% annualized rate.

Stafford County within Virginia · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

160,520

Population

+1.90%

Annual growth

598

People / sq mi

$133,792

Median Income

$458,800

Median Home Value

Stafford County covers 268 sq mi of land at 597.8 people per square mile.

About Stafford County, VA

Stafford County is a county in Virginia with a population of 160,520. It ranks #12 among counties in Virginia by population. The median age is 36.3, younger than the national median. The population is 50.6% male and 49.4% female.

The median household income in Stafford County is $133,792, above the US median of $74,580. 3.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $458,800, with monthly rent averaging $1,925. The homeownership rate of 80.8% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Stafford County reflects 43.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 18.1% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 37.6 minutes each way.

Stafford County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Stafford County had a population of 129,857 in 2010 and 168,919 in 2024, a 30.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 168,919 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.90%.

168,919

Population (2024)

129,857

Population (2010)

168,919

Peak (2024)

1.90%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	129,857	-	-	estimate
2011	132,251	+2,394	+1.84%	estimate
2012	133,449	+1,198	+0.91%	estimate
2013	136,034	+2,585	+1.94%	estimate
2014	138,937	+2,903	+2.13%	estimate
2015	141,035	+2,098	+1.51%	estimate
2016	143,641	+2,606	+1.85%	estimate
2017	146,868	+3,227	+2.25%	estimate
2018	149,891	+3,023	+2.06%	estimate
2019	153,775	+3,884	+2.59%	estimate
2020	157,767	+3,992	+2.60%	estimate
2021	161,588	+3,821	+2.42%	estimate
2022	163,233	+1,645	+1.02%	estimate
2023	165,821	+2,588	+1.59%	estimate
2024	168,919	+3,098	+1.87%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	57.2%
Black or African American	19.3%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.5%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

36.3

Median Age

49.4%

Female

50.6%

Male

11.1%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.1%

5–9

7.0%

10–14

8.2%

15–19

7.6%

20–24

6.6%

25–34

12.7%

35–44

14.8%

45–54

13.9%

55–59

7.0%

60–64

5.1%

65–74

7.1%

75–84

3.2%

85+

0.8%

Children (under 15): 21.3% · Seniors (65+): 11.1%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$133,792+$42,818 vs state
Mean household income	$157,495
Per-capita income	$51,999
Poverty rate	3.6%-3.2% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.5%
Employment-to-population	62.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Public administration

19.5%

Professional & business services

19.4%

Finance & real estate

17.7%

Education & health care

7.5%

Construction

7.4%

Retail trade

5.1%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.2%

Information

4.1%

The largest employment sector in Stafford County is public administration, accounting for 19.5% of workers.

How residents commute

2.5%

Drive alone

1.4%

Carpool

66.0%

Public transit

18.1%

Work from home

37.6 min

Avg commute

Housing

$458,800+$98,100 vs state

Median home value

$1,925

Median rent

80.8%

Homeownership rate

53,864

Total housing units

95.3%

Occupied

4.7%

Vacant

19.2%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.3%

With health insurance

98.3%

With broadband internet

45.7%

Foreign-born

17.5%

Veterans (18+)

9.0%

With a disability

82.0%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

92.8%

High School+

43.3%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Virginia

Virginia Beach (457,066)Chesapeake (251,153)Arlington (235,463)Norfolk (235,037)Richmond (227,595)Newport News (184,774)Alexandria (156,788)Hampton (137,334)Roanoke (98,677)Portsmouth (97,299)All Virginia cities →

Other counties in Virginia

Fairfax County (1,144,474)Prince William County (484,625)Virginia Beach city (457,066)Loudoun County (427,082)Chesterfield County (371,610)Henrico County (334,434)Chesapeake city (251,153)Arlington County (235,463)Norfolk city (235,037)Richmond city (227,595)All Virginia counties →

Part of Virginia

Virginia demographic profile All Virginia data →

Metro areas in Virginia

Washington (6,263,796)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Richmond (1,327,321)Roanoke (314,661)Kingsport (309,580)Lynchburg (262,716)Charlottesville (222,937)Blacksburg (181,605)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Stafford County, Virginia has a population of 160,520 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 12th-largest county in Virginia. Population density is 598 people per square mile.

The population of Stafford County has grown 30.1% since 2010 (129,857 → 168,919), a +1.90% annualized rate.

The median household income in Stafford County, Virginia is $133,792, with mean (average) household income of $157,495 and per-capita income of $51,999. 3.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Stafford County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (57.2%), Black or African American (19.3%), Hispanic or Latino (1.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Stafford County, Virginia is 36.3 years. Residents are 49.4% female and 50.6% male.

The median home value in Stafford County is $458,800 and median monthly rent is $1,925. 80.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 53,864 total housing units, 4.7% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Stafford County, Virginia is public administration, employing 19.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

Virginia Beach is among the largest cities associated with Stafford County, Virginia, with a population of 457,066.