City · Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, city, in Winchester city, Virginia. Winchester had 28,272 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 28,120 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 27,913 (controlled total). GEOID 5186720.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
28,272
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 28,120 · ACS 2020-2024: 27,913
Median household income
$63,974
±$2,269 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$343,000
±$19,190 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,315
±$78 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Winchester and what county is it in?
Winchester is a city in Winchester city, Virginia. It covers 9.2 square miles of land, 3,059 residents per square mile in 2020.
Winchester is in the Winchester, VA-WV metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Winchester covers the same area as Winchester city: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Winchester's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Winchester, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 28,272 people lived in Winchester on July 1, 2025, up 0.6% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020 Census counted 28,120 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 27,913.
| Measure | Winchester | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 27,913 | 8,705,170 | +16 |
| Households | 11,492 ±329 | 3,365,732 | +1,002 |
| Average household size | 2.33 ±0.07 | 2.52 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 12,541 ±39 | 3,684,756 | +622 |
Winchester's population since 2000
From 23,585 in 2000 to 28,272 in 2025: up 19.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Winchester as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Winchester?
The median resident of Winchester is 36.8 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 16.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 21.0%. 12.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Winchester | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.8 ±1.1 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.5% | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.7% ±0.6 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 49.3% ±1.1 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 21.0% | 11.0% | +3.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.4% ±0.7 pts | 58.4% | −4.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.7% ±1.3 pts | 18.3% | −2.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±0.4 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.9% ±1.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.1% ±2.3 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.6% ±2.4 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.6% ±1.1 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.8% ±2.1 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.3% ±2.6 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.5% ±1.9 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.3% ±2.8 pts | 42.2% | −3.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.5% ±1.9 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.3% ±2.3 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0% ±1.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Winchester earn?
Half of Winchester's 11,492 households earn less than $63,974 a year (±$2,269), against $63,974 in Winchester city and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $72,387 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $8,413 after inflation. 21.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Winchester | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,974 ±$2,269 | $93,170 | −$8,413 |
| Mean household income | $86,976 ±$5,531 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,588 ±$2,208 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.5% ±3.7 pts | 9.9% | +5.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 33.5% ±8.4 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.7% ±2.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.4% ±2.5 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.4% ±3.0 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Winchester?
Owners occupy 43.6% of Winchester's occupied homes and renters 56.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $343,000 by its owner (±$19,190). The median renter pays $1,315 a month including utilities, and 43.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Winchester | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $343,000 ±$19,190 | $383,700 | +$41,603 |
| Median gross rent | $1,315 ±$78 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.2% ±5.0 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,782 ±$112 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 43.6% ±3.5 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 56.4% ±3.5 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 12,541 ±39 | 3,684,756 | +622 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4% ±2.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.1% ±2.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 57.1% ±3.0 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.3% ±1.6 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.5% ±2.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.4% ±2.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Winchester building?
Builders took permits for 68 new housing units in Winchester in 2025 (64 in single-family houses), 2.4 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Winchester work and get to work?
71.5% of Winchester's workers drive alone and 14.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.4%.
| Measure | Winchester | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.0% ±2.5 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4% ±2.0 pts | 4.3% | +3.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 71.5% ±3.6 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.6% ±2.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 5.5% ±1.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.0% ±2.8 pts | 18.3% | +5.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.6 min ±1.8 | 27.3 min | −6.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Winchester?
6 census tracts lie mostly in Winchester (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $39,808 (Tract 1.02) to $78,750 (Tract 2.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2.02Winchester city | 5,771 | $78,750 |
| Tract 3.02Winchester city | 5,674 | $62,918 |
| Tract 3.01Winchester city | 5,346 | $66,821 |
| Tract 1.01Winchester city | 4,047 | $73,971 |
| Tract 1.02Winchester city | 3,551 | $39,808 |
| Tract 2.01Winchester city | 3,524 | $67,206 |
Every census tract in Winchester: the tract table of Winchester city
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Winchester) · Census block assignment files
How does Winchester compare with other places in Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Winchester is the 1,423rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 20th-most populous of 227 in Virginia.
Winchester ranks 254th of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 20th | 227 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 70th | 139 |
| Residents per square mile | 94th | 374 |
| Median household income | 254th | 365 |
| Per capita income | 231st | 374 |
| Median home value | 182nd | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 182nd | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 39th | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 205th | 359 |
| Median age | 257th | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 334th | 368 |
| Work from home | 179th | 286 |
| Travel time to work | 313th | 372 |
Winchester's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Winchester with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Winchester?
6 of the 57 figures for Winchester on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Winchester are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Winchester.