City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Williamsburg, VA

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

15,564
Residents
$70,206
Median income
$393,200
Median home
$1,713
Median rent (state)

Williamsburg - the verdict

Williamsburg ranks in the 50th percentile for household income and the 49th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
77th
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
49th
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: Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg is a small town in Virginia, home to 15,564 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $70,206 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.7%. Home values in Williamsburg run a median of $393,200, and the median resident age is 24.0 years. 48.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 45.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 10 residential building permits were authorized in Williamsburg (Construction Slowdown), down 66% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Williamsburg reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1403.9 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). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 59.7°F with 51.2 inches of precipitation per year and 4.3 inches of snowfall.

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Virginia at 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,713 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Virginia run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Williamsburg report an average commute of 13.8 minutes, with 57.7% driving alone and 19.3% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 2.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

15,564 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$70,206 /yr

Poverty 3.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Williamsburg compare to other US cities?

Where Williamsburg sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 77% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 49% 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, Williamsburg ranks #45 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 Williamsburg'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.

50thIncome percentile
49thSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 49th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Williamsburg's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Williamsburg'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 42 Avg. percentile National median
Williamsburg'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 Williamsburg's home value compares nationally

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

$393,200 23rd percentile more affordable than 23% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Williamsburg $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 - Williamsburg, VA Williamsburg, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, VA median $70,206/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%
Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 48.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 45.8%

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

Population
15,564
Median Income
$70,206
Median Home Value
$393,200
Median Age
24.0
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Labor force participation
45.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
48.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1403.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
198.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1205.1
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
59.7°F
Annual Precipitation
51.2"
Annual Snowfall
4.3"

Schools

Total Schools
19
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
15,400 residents15,600 residents15,800 residents16,000 residents16,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 15,459 residents 15,861 residents ▲ +2.6%
Williamsburg's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 29
2020 28
2021 33
2022 46
2023 15
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 66% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.8 minutes
Drive Alone
57.7%
Carpool
6.0%
Public Transit
1.1%
Walk
13.5%
Work from Home
19.3%
Other
2.4%

Based on 6,467 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 Williamsburg 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

Front Royal
15,152 people
Wolf Trap
16,020 people
Highland Springs
15,091 people
East Highland Park
16,071 people
Great Falls
14,854 people
Stone Ridge
16,340 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Williamsburg's 15,564 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mount Clemens, MI
15,567 people
West Lealman, FL
15,560 people
Berea, KY
15,557 people
Shively, KY
15,556 people
Hartselle, AL
15,586 people
Frankfort, IN
15,536 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Williamsburg's $70,206 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Eagle Lake, FL
$70,208 median income
Winsted, MN
$70,208 median income
Hayes Center, NE
$70,208 median income
Glenmoor, OH
$70,208 median income
Haviland, OH
$70,208 median income
Ney, OH
$70,208 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.2% 15.2% 7.0% 8.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.0% White 68.2% Black or African American 15.2% Asian 7.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 8.3% 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 Williamsburg 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
Williamsburg (this city) 15,564 $70,206
Front Royal 15,152 $64,025
Wolf Trap 16,020 $250,001
Highland Springs 15,091 $56,931
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Williamsburg, VA?

What is the population of Williamsburg, VA? +

Williamsburg, VA has a population of 15,564 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Williamsburg is $70,206 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Williamsburg? +

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

Williamsburg has a total crime rate of 1403.9 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 Williamsburg, VA? +

The median home value in Williamsburg is $393,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Williamsburg? +

Climate normals put Williamsburg's yearly average temperature at 59.7°F, 51.2 inches of precipitation, and 4.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.