City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Colonial Beach, VA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Colonial Beach - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,930
Residents
$52,119
Median income
$242,800
Median home
$1,469
Median rent (state)

Colonial Beach - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Colonial Beach places in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 50th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
54th
percentile, home value
57th
percentile, median rent
50th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Colonial Beach, VA

Colonial Beach is a small town in Virginia, home to 3,930 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Colonial Beach households earn a median of $52,119 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 23.4%. Typical homes in Colonial Beach are valued around $242,800, and the median resident age is 46.7 years. 21.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 37.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Colonial Beach (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Colonial Beach reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1363.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Virginia scores 101.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,469 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 12.8 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

3,930 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$52,119 /yr

Poverty 23.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Colonial Beach compare to other US cities?

Here's how Colonial Beach stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 54% pricier than other cities
Median rent 57% pricier than other cities
Safety 50% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Virginia and the picture shifts: Colonial Beach ranks #42 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Colonial Beach's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Virginia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

23rdIncome percentile
50thSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 50th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Colonial Beach's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Colonial Beach's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Colonial Beach's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Colonial Beach's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$242,800 46th percentile more affordable than 46% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Colonial Beach $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Colonial Beach, VA Colonial Beach, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Colonial Beach, VA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Colonial Beach, VA median $52,119/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Colonial Beach, VA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Colonial Beach, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 37.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,930
Median Income
$52,119
Median Home Value
$242,800
Median Age
46.7
Poverty Rate
23.4%
Labor force participation
37.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1363.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
247.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1115.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,800 residents3,900 residents4,000 residents4,100 residents4,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,909 residents 4,151 residents ▲ +6.2%
Colonial Beach's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2020.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
88.9%
Carpool
0.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
5.3%
Other
4.9%

Based on 1,320 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Colonial Beach sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,469/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
12.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Shenandoah Farms
3,956 people
Enon
4,035 people
Navy
3,787 people
University Center
4,107 people
North Shore
3,708 people
Kings Park
4,206 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Colonial Beach's 3,930 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pine Manor, FL
3,929 people
Williamstown, KY
3,929 people
Bayou Vista, LA
3,931 people
Bethlehem, NC
3,928 people
Raymond, WI
3,928 people
Flagler Estates, FL
3,934 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Colonial Beach's $52,119 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Brushton, NY
$52,120 median income
Owenton, KY
$52,121 median income
Salt Creek, CO
$52,123 median income
Arthur, IL
$52,115 median income
Fulton, NY
$52,123 median income
Blanco, NM
$52,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Colonial Beach, VA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Colonial Beach, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 77.8% 14.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.8% White 77.8% Black or African American 14.8% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 4.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Colonial Beach compares to nearby Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Colonial Beach (this city) 3,930 $52,119
Shenandoah Farms 3,956 $98,147
Enon 4,035 $79,100
Navy 3,787 $228,906
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Colonial Beach, VA?

What is the population of Colonial Beach, VA? +

3,930 people live in Colonial Beach, VA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Colonial Beach, VA? +

The median household income in Colonial Beach is $52,119 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Colonial Beach? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Colonial Beach; the closest available measure is the Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 101.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Colonial Beach, VA safe? +

Colonial Beach has a total crime rate of 1363.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Colonial Beach, VA? +

Colonial Beach's median home value sits at $242,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.