Population 96,712 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Stafford
Household size in Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.08 | 2.73 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.15 | 2.82 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.13 | 2.86 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.24 | 2.77 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.16 | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Stafford is a place of big households: 3.24 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 3.08, even as the national average fell. Only 14 of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people have larger households.
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 Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.2 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.6 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.8 | 38.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.5 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.3 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Stafford is young: half of its residents are under 35.5, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 34.2 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 11.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 10.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 10.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Stafford than nationally: 9.1%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Stafford
Renters in Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.7% | 34.0% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 36.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.6% | 36.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.3% | 36.3% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Stafford is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among owners, 20.0% have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 1.4 points, even as the national share rose.
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 Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 8.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 7.3% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 6.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 5.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Stafford: just 4.9% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. That is in line with the rest of the Washington area. Vacancy is down 2.4 points from 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 Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1992 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1993 | 1978 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1996 | 1979 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1998 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Stafford has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1998, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1992 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the northwest.
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 Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,519 | $1,470 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,497 | $1,583 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,821 | $1,907 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,181 | $2,236 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$662 | +$766 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Stafford runs $2,181 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $662 a month from 2006–10, a 44% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.4% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the north.
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 Stafford
Bachelor's degrees in Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.4% | 46.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 37.2% | 48.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.0% | 51.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 45.1% | 53.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than four in ten adults 25 and older in Stafford (45.1%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national share of 35.6%. Still, the share is lower than in the wider Washington area (53.9%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.8 points, as it has nationally.
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 Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.9% | 89.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.6% | 90.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.5% | 90.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.9% | 91.2% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | +1.7 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Stafford is a bit above the national rate: 91.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of the Washington area.
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 Stafford
| Period | Stafford | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 5.9% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Stafford runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 1.5 points, in line with the national trend. 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).
Stafford compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stafford | 3.24 | 35.5 | 9.1% | 19.3% | 4.9% | 1998 | $2,181 | 45.1% | 91.9% | 4.0% |
| Garrisonville | 3.07 | 24.2 | 3.5% | 96.6% | 9.2% | 1997 | $2,311 | 56.0% | 100.0% | 5.9% |
| Widewater | 3.62 | 33.8 | 8.9% | 11.3% | 5.2% | 1992 | $2,326 | 39.0% | 90.3% | 2.0% |
| Brooke | 2.97 | 37.3 | 4.4% | 25.9% | 5.8% | 2005 | $2,201 | 49.8% | 95.9% | 2.5% |
| Ruby | 3.07 | 24.2 | 3.5% | 96.6% | 9.2% | 1997 | $2,311 | 56.0% | 100.0% | 5.9% |
| Quantico Base | 3.20 | 23.6 | 4.7% | 100.0% | 15.9% | 1998 | $2,479 | 40.9% | 98.6% | 5.4% |
| Triangle | 3.16 | 38.1 | 14.9% | 34.4% | 5.1% | 1993 | $1,483 | 37.8% | 92.8% | 8.9% |
| Quantico | 1.86 | 45.9 | 1.0% | 83.9% | 16.2% | 1963 | $1,086 | 48.9% | 94.8% | 2.0% |
| Somerville | 3.09 | 45.4 | 4.7% | 5.1% | 3.2% | 1993 | $1,543 | 38.4% | 92.2% | 1.4% |
| Dumfries | 3.30 | 34.6 | 17.4% | 19.1% | 6.4% | 1990 | $1,809 | 35.0% | 84.4% | 4.4% |
| Hartwood | 3.24 | 39.3 | 9.0% | 8.3% | 2.4% | 1993 | $1,493 | 42.0% | 94.5% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Idaho Falls, ID · Independence, MO · Indio, CA · Johnson City, TN · Jersey City, NJ · Kalamazoo, MI · Jackson, MS · Irvine, CA · Jackson, TN · Jackson, MI
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 Stafford. 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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