City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Poquoson, VA

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

12,556
Residents
$120,919
Median income
$403,000
Median home
$1,713
Median rent (state)

Poquoson - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Poquoson lands in the 88th percentile for household income and the 65th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

88th
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
65th
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: Poquoson, VA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 12,556 residents in Poquoson, a small town within Virginia. Median household income here is $120,919 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.6%. Home values in Poquoson run a median of $403,000, and the median resident age is 41.4 years. Educational attainment runs 40.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 62.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 133 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 412% from five years earlier. Poquoson reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 977.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than 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 $1,713 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 2.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

12,556 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$120,919 /yr

Poverty 4.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Poquoson compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 88% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 65% 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, Poquoson ranks #25 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

Each percentile compares Poquoson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Virginia-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of Virginia's city distribution

Among the 567 Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Poquoson ranks #159 - the 72nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Poquoson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#120 of 558
78th percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#181 of 619
67th percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#159 of 567
72nd percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#333 of 616
45th percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#194 of 618
68th percentile in Virginia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Virginia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

88thIncome percentile
65thSafety percentile

88th percentile nationally for median household income · 65th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Poquoson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Poquoson'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 60 Avg. percentile National median
Poquoson'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 Poquoson's home value compares nationally

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

$403,000 22nd percentile more affordable than 22% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Poquoson $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 - Poquoson, VA Poquoson, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Poquoson, 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 Poquoson, VA median $120,919/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%
Poquoson, 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 Poquoson, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.9%

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

Population
12,556
Median Income
$120,919
Median Home Value
$403,000
Median Age
41.4
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Labor force participation
62.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
977.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
312.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
664.7
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,000 residents12,500 residents13,000 residents13,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,472 residents 13,292 residents ▲ +6.6%
Poquoson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
133
housing units authorized
Single-Family
97
detached homes
Multifamily
36
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 26
2020 25
2021 19
2022 28
2023 120
2024 133

Permit volume increased 412% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.3%
Carpool
4.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.1%
Work from Home
11.8%
Other
1.8%

Based on 6,442 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 Poquoson sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,713/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
2.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Lansdowne
12,603 people
Cascades
12,489 people
Forest
12,476 people
Newington Forest
12,434 people
Manchester
12,347 people
Fairfax Station
12,298 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Poquoson's 12,556 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Windsor Locks, CT
12,555 people
Artesia, NM
12,555 people
Mendota, CA
12,554 people
Union, MO
12,560 people
Spearfish, SD
12,551 people
Parker, SC
12,564 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Poquoson's $120,919 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Madison, MS
$120,918 median income
Crescent Beach, FL
$120,917 median income
Elmont, NY
$120,917 median income
Rocklin, CA
$120,916 median income
Raynham Center, MA
$120,913 median income
Coyne Center, IL
$120,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Poquoson, 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 Poquoson, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.9% White 92.0% Black or African American 1.7% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 3.7% 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 Poquoson 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
Poquoson (this city) 12,556 $120,919
Lansdowne 12,603 $180,379
Cascades 12,489 $166,023
Forest 12,476 $78,825
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Poquoson, VA?

What is the population of Poquoson, VA? +

12,556 people live in Poquoson, VA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Poquoson households earn a median of $120,919 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Poquoson? +

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

Poquoson has a total crime rate of 977.5 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 Poquoson, VA? +

Poquoson's median home value sits at $403,000, 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

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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.