City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Fredericksburg, VA

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

28,383
Residents
$85,368
Median income
$461,500
Median home
$2,246
Median rent (state)

Fredericksburg - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Fredericksburg lands in the 67th percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

67th
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
87th
percentile, median rent
9th
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: Fredericksburg, VA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 28,383 residents in Fredericksburg, a small city within Virginia. Median household income here is $85,368 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.3%. Typical homes in Fredericksburg are valued around $461,500, and the median resident age is 31.0 years. Educational attainment runs 46.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 64.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 37 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 86% from five years earlier. Fredericksburg's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3674.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,246 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Virginia's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 8.7 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

28,383 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$85,368 /yr

Poverty 10.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Fredericksburg compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 87% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Virginia alone, Fredericksburg ranks #108 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Fredericksburg'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.

67thIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fredericksburg's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fredericksburg'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 31 Avg. percentile National median
Fredericksburg'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 Fredericksburg's home value compares nationally

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

$461,500 18th percentile more affordable than 18% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Fredericksburg $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 - Fredericksburg, VA Fredericksburg, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, VA median $85,368/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%
Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 46.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.9%

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

Population
28,383
Median Income
$85,368
Median Home Value
$461,500
Median Age
31.0
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Labor force participation
64.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
46.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3674.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
603.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3070.5
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
27
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
27,000 residents28,000 residents29,000 residents30,000 residents31,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 27,997 residents 30,393 residents ▲ +8.6%
Fredericksburg's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
37
housing units authorized
Single-Family
37
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 274
2020 104
2021 142
2022 183
2023 82
2024 37

Permit volume decreased 86% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
65.0%
Carpool
12.2%
Public Transit
1.9%
Walk
4.8%
Work from Home
14.2%
Other
1.9%

Based on 14,607 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 Fredericksburg sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,246/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
8.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Short Pump
28,177 people
Tysons
28,022 people
Winchester
27,981 people
West Falls Church
30,660 people
Cave Spring
26,014 people
Springfield
30,894 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fredericksburg's 28,383 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Monroeville, PA
28,383 people
Jamestown, NY
28,401 people
Madison Heights, MI
28,411 people
Lansing, IL
28,415 people
Apollo Beach, FL
28,347 people
Frankfort, KY
28,452 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fredericksburg's $85,368 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rainbow, CA
$85,368 median income
Avon, CO
$85,364 median income
Boulder, CO
$85,364 median income
Sharptown, MD
$85,357 median income
Knappa, OR
$85,357 median income
Stem, NC
$85,385 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 58.8% 20.1% 6.6% 10.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.4% White 58.8% Black or African American 20.1% Asian 3.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.6% Two or more races 10.5% 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 Fredericksburg 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
Fredericksburg (this city) 28,383 $85,368
Short Pump 28,177 $132,194
Tysons 28,022 $129,189
Winchester 27,981 $64,648
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fredericksburg, VA?

What is the population of Fredericksburg, VA? +

28,383 people live in Fredericksburg, VA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fredericksburg, VA? +

In Fredericksburg, the typical household earns $85,368 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fredericksburg? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fredericksburg; 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 Fredericksburg, VA safe? +

Fredericksburg has a total crime rate of 3674.4 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Fredericksburg, VA? +

The median home value in Fredericksburg is $461,500, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.