County · Virginia
Rockbridge County, Virginia
Rockbridge County, Virginia. Rockbridge County had 22,663 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, about level with 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). It holds 4 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 51163.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
22,663
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,650 · ACS 2020-2024: 22,531
Median household income
$65,469
±$4,457 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$248,800
±$18,192 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$925
±$85 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Rockbridge County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 22,650 residents in Rockbridge County. The Census Bureau estimates 22,663 for July 1, 2025, about level with 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 22,531 over 597 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rockbridge County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 22,531 | 8,705,170 | −39 |
| Households | 9,552±300 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.31±0.07 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,361±50 | 3,684,756 | −80 |
Rockbridge County's population since 2000
From 20,808 in 2000 to 22,663 in 2025: up 8.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Rockbridge County?
Rockbridge County holds 4 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is East Lexington with 1,652 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| East Lexington | 1,824 | $64,241 |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 1,052 | $51,827 |
| Goshen | 338 | $45,000 |
| FairfieldGEOID 5126656 | 257 | $113,646 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rockbridge County?
The median resident of Rockbridge County is 49.8 years old; 17.0% are under 18 and 27.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.5%. 2.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rockbridge County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.8±0.4 | 39.0 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 17.0%±0.2 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.4%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 11.0% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.4%±1.2 pts | 58.4% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.8 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±1.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±0.8 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1%±1.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 19.5%±2.2 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8%±1.4 pts | 6.9% | −3.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.1%±1.4 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.8%±3.1 pts | 42.2% | +6.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.4%±2.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±1.0 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 Rockbridge County earn?
Half of Rockbridge County's 9,552 households earn less than $65,469 a year (±$4,457), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $67,196 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rockbridge County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,469±$4,457 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $88,858±$5,905 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,899±$2,573 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.5%±1.6 pts | 9.9% | −6.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.1%±3.6 pts | 12.3% | −14.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.1%±2.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.0%±3.3 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 Rockbridge County?
Owners occupy 79.3% of Rockbridge County's occupied homes and renters 20.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $248,800 by its owner (±$18,192). The median renter pays $925 a month including utilities, and 35.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rockbridge County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $248,800±$18,192 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $925±$85 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.1%±8.8 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,417±$99 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.3%±3.0 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,361±50 | 3,684,756 | −80 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5%±4.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.0%±3.6 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.9%±2.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.2%±2.8 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 Rockbridge County building?
Builders took permits for 91 new housing units across Rockbridge County in 2025 (87 single-family), 4.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rockbridge County get to work?
77.3% of Rockbridge County's workers drive alone and 10.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.
| Measure | Rockbridge County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.0%±2.2 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9%±1.7 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.3%±3.3 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.7%±2.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.3%±2.8 pts | 18.3% | +3.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.6 min±2.2 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
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 are Rockbridge County's census tracts?
Rockbridge County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,839 (Tract 9302) to $91,719 (Tract 9303.02).
| Tract 9301.0151163930101 | 3,622±576 | $63,235 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9301.0251163930102 | 4,252±481 | $63,044 |
| Tract 930251163930200 | 4,751±661 | $59,839 |
| Tract 9303.0151163930301 | 2,315±325 | $61,469 |
| Tract 9303.0251163930302 | 3,679±431 | $91,719 |
| Tract 930451163930400 | 3,912±438 | $62,821 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rockbridge County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 76th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 89th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 113th of 133 |
| Median household income | 77th of 133 |
| Median home value | 70th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 91st of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 106th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46th of 133 |
| Median age | 14th of 133 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Rockbridge County 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' school search.