1st Advantage MortgageAlbemarle County households have a median income of $104,392 and median rent of $1,692 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Albemarle County, VA: the basics
- Rent, home values and ownership in Albemarle County
- How much Albemarle County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Albemarle County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Albemarle County
- Regional comparison for Albemarle County
- People and households in Albemarle County
- Local borrowing considerations for Albemarle County
- A Albemarle County household budget, worked through
- Lender oversight for Albemarle County
- Checklist for Albemarle County applicants
- More guides for Albemarle County
- Frequently asked questions
Albemarle County, VA: the basics
With an estimated 114,919 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Albemarle County ranks 16th of 133 in Virginia for population. It covers 720 square miles of land, or about 160 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Charlottesville, VA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Crozet is the biggest of its 14 Census places, at roughly 9,289 people (8% of the county total).
Rent, home values and ownership in Albemarle County
Renters in Albemarle County pay a median of $1,692 a month, 7% above the Virginia figure of $1,579. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. With a median value of $495,400, a typical Albemarle County house costs 4.7 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 66%. Half the housing stock was built before 1992.
| Housing | Albemarle County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,692/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $495,400 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.0% | 4.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 9% | n/a |
How much Albemarle County households make
The median household income in Albemarle County is $104,392; statewide it is $93,170, so Albemarle County runs 12% above Virginia as a whole. Only 20 Virginia counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Albemarle County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.3% | -3.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.8% | -1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.8% | +2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 20.0% | +2.3 pts |
About 14% of households earn under $35,000, while 52% clear $100,000. Census counts 7.7% of Albemarle County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Albemarle County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Albemarle County
By the Census industry count, 34% of employed Albemarle County residents work in education and health care and 18% in professional and administrative services. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward education and health care (34% against 22%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.4% in Albemarle County. 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 22% work from home. Households without a car make up 4.9% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Top industries | Albemarle County share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 33.6% | +11.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 17.5% | +0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.8% | -1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Other services | 5.3% | 0.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Albemarle County
The table lists the 14 largest of 14 Census places in Albemarle County, by population. Together all 14 hold about 41,286 people, so roughly 64% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $189,072 at the median in Ivy, $52,546 in University of Virginia. Rent is cheapest in University of Virginia ($1,421) and steepest in Hollymead ($2,140). Live in one of these Albemarle County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crozet | CDP | 9,289 | $129,417 | $1,851 | 8 mi |
| University of Virginia | CDP | 9,065 | $52,546 | $1,421 | 2 mi |
| Hollymead | CDP | 8,482 | $118,250 | $2,140 | 9 mi |
| Pantops | CDP | 4,665 | $127,552 | $1,881 | 6 mi |
| Piney Mountain | CDP | 2,288 | $138,636 | $1,685 | 12 mi |
| Rivanna | CDP | 2,211 | $146,328 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Rio | CDP | 1,252 | $56,250 | $1,688 | 6 mi |
| Earlysville | CDP | 1,222 | $142,060 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Ivy | CDP | 794 | $189,072 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Esmont | CDP | 751 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| North Garden | CDP | 475 | $108,258 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Keswick | CDP | 402 | $250,001 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Afton | CDP | 266 | $93,409 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Free Union | CDP | 124 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Regional comparison for Albemarle County
Distances run center to center, from Charlottesville city at 4 miles out to Staunton city at 29. None of the six report a higher median household income than Albemarle County; Fluvanna County is highest at $96,768 and Waynesboro city lowest at $59,994.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albemarle County | - | $104,392 | $1,692/mo | 66% |
| Charlottesville city, VA | 4 mi | $74,824 | $1,540/mo | 44% |
| Waynesboro city, VA | 19 mi | $59,994 | $1,020/mo | 60% |
| Greene County, VA | 19 mi | $89,808 | $1,309/mo | 83% |
| Fluvanna County, VA | 20 mi | $96,768 | $1,204/mo | 89% |
| Nelson County, VA | 24 mi | $72,589 | $946/mo | 80% |
| Staunton city, VA | 29 mi | $65,581 | $1,024/mo | 61% |
People and households in Albemarle County
61% of Albemarle County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Albemarle County | Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 61.1% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.9% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 21.7% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.5% |
Local borrowing considerations for Albemarle County
What the Albemarle County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Higher earners. 52% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Tight rental budgets. With 50% of Albemarle County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
A Albemarle County household budget, worked through
Here is the Albemarle County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $8,699 gross per month ($104,392 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,692, takes 19% of that
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,788 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Albemarle County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Lender oversight for Albemarle County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Albemarle County resident can confirm its license with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Albemarle County applicants
Steps that save money for Albemarle County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Albemarle County
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Albemarle County?
$104,392 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $93,170 for Virginia. It ranks 21st of 133 in the state.
What do renters pay in Albemarle County?
$1,692 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
I live in a small Albemarle County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Crozet, University of Virginia, Hollymead, Pantops, Piney Mountain and 9 more.
Does living in Albemarle County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Albemarle County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Albemarle County?
Start with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.