Population 81,013 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in James City County
Household size in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.47 | 2.64 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.52 | 2.66 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.58 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | −0.10 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in James City County run a little small, averaging 2.56 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has crept up from 2.47 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.5 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.6 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.4 | 38.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.3 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.8 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
James City County skews older: half of its residents are older than 48.3, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 45.5, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 13.7% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 13.6% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 12.9% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in James City County than nationally: 8.8%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 0.8 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in James City County
Renters in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.5% | 35.1% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.5% | 37.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.6% | 38.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.3% | 36.6% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.3% of households in James City County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly a third of owners (32.1%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the north.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.9% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 9.7% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.6% | 9.5% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 7.6% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in James City County as nationally: 8.4%, against 9.6%. Vacancy has edged down 1.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1991 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1993 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1996 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
James City County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1996, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1991 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the east has the oldest housing. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only six have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,183 | $1,107 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,205 | $1,232 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,366 | $1,358 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,701 | $1,647 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$517 | +$540 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in James City County costs $1,701 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $517 a month from 2006–10, a 44% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 31.2% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in James City County
Bachelor's degrees in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.7% | 27.5% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 44.8% | 28.9% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 49.8% | 32.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 50.5% | 35.4% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
James City County is highly educated: about half of adults 25 and older (50.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.8 points, as it has nationally. Few Virginia counties have a higher share of college graduates: only eight of 133.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.1% | 88.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.3% | 90.0% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.0% | 91.5% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.1% | 92.8% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in James City County: 95.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few Virginia counties have a higher share of high school graduates: only four of 133.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in James City County
| Period | James City County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.0% | 6.5% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 8.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 5.6% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.7% | 4.9% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in James City County has been low: just 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
James City County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James City County | 2.56 | 48.3 | 8.8% | 23.3% | 8.4% | 1996 | $1,701 | 50.5% | 95.1% | 2.7% |
| Williamsburg City | 2.26 | 33.3 | 8.2% | 46.8% | 14.2% | 1985 | $1,530 | 43.0% | 94.1% | 7.4% |
| Gloucester County | 2.62 | 45.0 | 7.2% | 19.6% | 11.7% | 1988 | $1,197 | 24.8% | 92.1% | 2.9% |
| Surry County | 2.35 | 52.4 | 9.8% | 20.5% | 16.1% | 1983 | $956 | 26.6% | 91.3% | 4.6% |
| York County | 2.63 | 42.6 | 9.4% | 28.4% | 6.2% | 1991 | $1,848 | 49.1% | 95.1% | 4.6% |
| Charles City County | 2.28 | 52.5 | 7.7% | 13.7% | 10.9% | 1986 | $1,157 | 17.5% | 87.9% | 3.9% |
| Poquoson City | 2.64 | 41.9 | 8.7% | 15.4% | 6.3% | 1976 | $1,769 | 36.5% | 97.4% | 3.0% |
| Hopewell City | 2.52 | 37.2 | 20.3% | 42.1% | 13.0% | 1968 | $1,197 | 13.4% | 89.0% | 8.2% |
| Prince George County | 2.68 | 28.3 | 22.7% | 25.7% | 22.6% | 1994 | $1,650 | 26.9% | 96.0% | 3.5% |
| Colonial Heights City | 2.43 | 40.7 | 15.2% | 31.9% | 7.9% | 1969 | $1,336 | 28.7% | 91.3% | 3.7% |
| Petersburg City | 2.33 | 37.0 | 19.4% | 61.4% | 16.3% | 1970 | $1,164 | 26.3% | 87.3% | 10.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Greene County, TN · Jefferson County, WI · Jackson County, GA · Island County, WA · Iberia Parish, LA · Howard County, IN · Henderson County, TX · Harrison County, TX · Hancock County, OH · Hancock County, IN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up James City County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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