RANK #527 / 996 · POP 157,606 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.6%
Government Island, a 17-acre park in Stafford County, holds a unique place in American history as the quarry that supplied Aquia sandstone for iconic Washington D.C. buildings like the White House and the U.S. Capitol. Located approximately 40 miles south of Washington D.C., Stafford County blends suburban and rural characteristics. Commute options to Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia include the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and OmniRide bus service, with park-and-ride lots available. The county also offers extensive outdoor recreation, with parks like Widewater State Park providing access to the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Life in Stafford County often appeals to families and professionals, many of whom commute to federal and defense facilities. Stafford County Public Schools serve over 32,000 students across 33 schools, all of which are accredited. The local economy is influenced by its proximity to Marine Corps Base Quantico and a growing focus on warehousing, logistics, and government contracting. Recent economic development efforts also include broad investments in technology and infrastructure.
Overvalued relative to economy
Contracting economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Stafford Technology Center (Data Center Complex)
The Garrett Companies
|
$7,900M | Approved |
|
GWV Data Center
The Garrett Companies
|
$7,900M | Proposed |
|
Vantage Data Centers VA4 Campus
Vantage Data Centers
|
$2,000M | Under Construction |
|
FY2026-35 Capital Improvement Program (Transportation & Schools)
Stafford County
|
$1,450M | Planned |
|
Amazon Cross-Dock Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Enon Road Community Solar Preserve
ESA Solar
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Stafford County has a Boom Town Index score of 47/100, ranking #527 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.9% and a median household income of $128,036, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Stafford County is $431,900 with median rent at $1,828/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2964, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.9%. Home values changed +1.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.04% of Stafford County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.