1st Advantage MortgageThe median James City County household earns $109,985, and 7% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Virginia license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in James City County
- Housing costs in James City County
- How much James City County households make
- Jobs and commutes in James City County
- How James City County compares with nearby counties
- James City County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in James City County
- A James City County household budget, worked through
- Steps before you apply in James City County
- Who licenses lenders for James City County residents
- More guides for James City County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in James City County
Roughly 81,013 residents live in James City County, Virginia, 25th by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 142 square miles, that is close to 569 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan area. No incorporated town or census-designated place sits mainly inside James City County, so this guide is the most local page for every resident.
Housing costs in James City County
Renters in James City County pay a median of $1,552 a month, 2% below the Virginia figure of $1,579. By the Census definition, 55% of James City County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $447,200, a typical James City County house costs 4.1 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1997.
| Housing | James City County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,552/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $447,200 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
How much James City County households make
James City County households have a median income of $109,985 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 133 in Virginia.
| Households earning | James City County | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 13.1% | -4.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 32.8% | -2.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 35.7% | +6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 18.5% | +0.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 54% of James City County households make $100,000 or more, and 13% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 6.8%, 3 points lower than the state's 9.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.422 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in James City County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 15%. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (13% against 8%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.7% in James City County. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 4.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | James City County | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.8% | -2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.7% | +4.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Public administration | 7.1% | -1.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% | -0.2 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.
How James City County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (5 to 22 miles). Income ranges from $75,417 in Charles City County to $123,314 in New Kent County; 1 of these neighbors top James City County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James City County | - | $109,985 | $1,552/mo | 77% |
| Williamsburg city, VA | 5 mi | $75,604 | $1,407/mo | 53% |
| Gloucester County, VA | 15 mi | $84,306 | $1,096/mo | 80% |
| Surry County, VA | 15 mi | $78,041 | $983/mo | 80% |
| Charles City County, VA | 15 mi | $75,417 | $1,099/mo | 86% |
| New Kent County, VA | 18 mi | $123,314 | $1,721/mo | 93% |
| York County, VA | 22 mi | $109,956 | $1,827/mo | 72% |
James City County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 51% of adults over 25. 4.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | James City County | All of Virginia | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 51.0% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.7% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.4% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.8% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of James City County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.6% |
| 60+ min | 9.0% |
Borrowing situations common in James City County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for James City County borrowers.
- Older households. A 47.1 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 54% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Rent squeeze. 55% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
A James City County household budget, worked through
James City County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, James City County: $9,165
- Rent at the median, $1,552, takes 17% of that
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,656 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $2,572 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in James City County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in James City County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the James City County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Virginia.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Who licenses lenders for James City County residents
Consumer lenders serving James City County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Virginia that is 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.
More guides for James City County
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical James City County household make?
About $109,985 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 18% above the Virginia median.
Is James City County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,552 against $1,579 statewide, and 55% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Are James City County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for James City County residents?
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Virginia; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.