1st Advantage MortgageThe median Frederick County household earns $97,606, and 7% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- Frederick County, VA: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Frederick County
- Renting and owning in Frederick County
- The Frederick County job picture
- Places inside Frederick County
- Counties near Frederick County
- Room for a loan payment in Frederick County
- What the numbers mean for Frederick County borrowers
- Frederick County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Who licenses lenders for Frederick County residents
- Checklist for Frederick County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Frederick County, VA: the basics
Roughly 95,008 residents live in Frederick County, Virginia, 23rd by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 413 square miles, that is close to 230 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Winchester, VA-WV metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Frederick County, Shawneeland leads by population with about 2,754; 2 of the 6 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Frederick County
Frederick County households have a median income of $97,606 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 25th of 133 in Virginia.
| Household income | Frederick County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 12.4% | -5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.9% | +3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.8% | +4.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.9% | -2.8 pts |
About 12% of households earn under $35,000, while 49% clear $100,000. 6.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). None of these numbers decides a Frederick County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Frederick County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,507 in Frederick County versus $1,579 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 44% of renter households here. Home values center on $386,000, or 4.0 years of median income. The ownership rate is 79%. Half the housing stock was built before 1996.
| Housing | Frederick County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,507/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $386,000 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 25% | n/a |
Because most Frederick County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The Frederick County job picture
The biggest employer of Frederick County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (12%). Manufacturing stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Frederick County averages 4.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). About 77% drive to work alone and 25% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Frederick County | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.5% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.3% | -4.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.1% | +3.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.7 pts |
| Public administration | 7.8% | -1.1 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Places inside Frederick County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Frederick County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 9,462 people, so roughly 90% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $60,288 in Middletown to $112,039 in Lake Holiday. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawneeland | CDP | 2,754 | $95,337 | $1,469 | 4 mi |
| Stephens City | town | 2,393 | $102,593 | $1,210 | 8 mi |
| Lake Holiday | CDP | 2,193 | $112,039 | $2,045 | 8 mi |
| Middletown | town | 1,786 | $60,288 | $798 | 12 mi |
| Brucetown | CDP | 250 | $104,250 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Gore | CDP | 86 | $38,889 | n/a | 5 mi |
Counties near Frederick County
Distances run center to center, from Winchester city at 5 miles out to Jefferson County at 23. Clarke County leads the group on income ($117,111), Hampshire County trails ($63,116), and Frederick County out-earns 4 of the six. The list crosses into West Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick County | - | $97,606 | $1,507/mo | 79% |
| Winchester city, VA | 5 mi | $63,974 | $1,315/mo | 44% |
| Clarke County, VA | 16 mi | $117,111 | $1,371/mo | 81% |
| Hampshire County, WV | 20 mi | $63,116 | $720/mo | 83% |
| Warren County, VA | 21 mi | $84,682 | $1,199/mo | 76% |
| Berkeley County, WV | 21 mi | $80,815 | $1,233/mo | 76% |
| Jefferson County, WV | 23 mi | $98,806 | $1,108/mo | 80% |
Room for a loan payment in Frederick County
Frederick County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $8,134 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,507, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,747: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for Frederick County borrowers
A few patterns in the Frederick County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Keeping the car running. At 25% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Frederick County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 49% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Frederick County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 32% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 6.4%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| Indicator | Frederick County | All of Virginia | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.9% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.1% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.3% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.8% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Frederick County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.5% |
| 60+ min | 17.7% |
Who licenses lenders for Frederick County residents
Frederick County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Virginia guide.
Checklist for Frederick County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Frederick County:
- Price the Frederick County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frederick County a high-income county?
Its $97,606 median ranks 25th of 133 Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Frederick County rent compare with Virginia?
$1,507 locally versus $1,579 for the state, 5% below.
Does this page cover Shawneeland?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Frederick County, such as Stephens City, Lake Holiday, Middletown.
Can Frederick County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Virginia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Frederick County check a lender's license?
With the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.