1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Lancaster County is $1,033 a month against a median household income of $69,713, about 18% of income (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Lancaster County, and confirm each one's Virginia license.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Lancaster County
- What it costs to live in Lancaster County
- Income in Lancaster County compared with Virginia
- Lancaster County's most unusual numbers
- Where Lancaster County works
- Lancaster County communities by population
- How Lancaster County compares with nearby counties
- Borrowing situations common in Lancaster County
- $5,809 a month: the Lancaster County median budget
- Lancaster County demographics against Virginia
- Virginia lender licensing
- Steps before you apply in Lancaster County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Lancaster County
With an estimated 10,936 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Lancaster County ranks 112th of 133 in Virginia for population. Its 133 square miles average 82 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Lancaster County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Kilmarnock (1,333 people) heads the county's list of 5 Census places, 3 incorporated and 2 census-designated.
What it costs to live in Lancaster County
Half of Lancaster County renters pay more than $1,033 a month and half pay less; the Virginia midpoint is $1,579. By the Census definition, 38% of Lancaster County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $327,000, or 4.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 81%. The median year built is 1982. Against the median U.S. county, Lancaster County rent is 18% above.
| Home costs | Lancaster County | Virginia | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,033/mo | $1,579/mo | 35% lower |
| Median home value | $327,000 | $383,700 | 15% lower |
| Owners | 81% | 67% | +14.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 49% | -10.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 25% | +4.1 pts |
| Mobile homes | 4.1% | 4.3% | -0.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 24% | 9% | +15.3 pts |
Lancaster County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Income in Lancaster County compared with Virginia
Lancaster County households have a median income of $69,713 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 62nd of 133 in Virginia.
| Yearly household income | Lancaster County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.2% | +6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +9.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.1% | -8.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.6% | -8.0 pts |
On the low end, 24% of Lancaster County households report under $35,000; at the top, 31% report $100,000-plus. Lancaster County counts about 1,123 residents below the poverty line, 10.3% of the population. Gini index for Lancaster County: 0.494. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Lancaster County median.
Lancaster County's most unusual numbers
Where Lancaster County lands at the extremes of Virginia's county rankings:
- Lancaster County ranks 2nd highest of 133 Virginia counties for median age: 58.2, against 39.0 statewide. Older borrowers often rely on fixed incomes, so a fixed payment helps.
- The ACS unemployment rate: 9.5% in Lancaster County. Only 2 of 133 Virginia counties are higher. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
- Lancaster County ranks 16th highest of 133 Virginia counties for the housing vacancy rate: 24%, against 9% statewide. Many empty units can point to seasonal housing.
Where Lancaster County works
Education and health care (24%), professional and administrative services (19%) and construction (12%) lead Lancaster County's job mix. Relative to Virginia (7%), construction is 6 points bigger in Lancaster County (12%). The survey's unemployment rate for Lancaster County averages 9.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). About 79% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Lancaster County | Difference from Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.0% | +1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 18.9% | +2.1 pts |
| Construction | 12.3% | +5.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | +0.8 pts |
| Public administration | 7.1% | -1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -0.9 pts |
Self-employed in Lancaster County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Lancaster County communities by population
2,594 of Lancaster County's 10,936 residents live in its 5 Census places (24%); the 5 largest are listed. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilmarnock | town | 1,333 | $40,234 | $630 | 2 mi |
| Irvington | town | 513 | $126,136 | $925 | 3 mi |
| White Stone | town | 449 | $58,036 | $968 | 4 mi |
| Weems | CDP | 279 | $61,389 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Lancaster | CDP | 20 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Lancaster County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Lancaster County's, from 9 to 27 miles away. Gloucester County leads the group on income ($84,306), Richmond County trails ($66,304), and Lancaster County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County | - | $69,713 | $1,033/mo | 81% |
| Middlesex County, VA | 9 mi | $75,060 | $1,059/mo | 87% |
| Northumberland County, VA | 11 mi | $66,480 | $1,038/mo | 86% |
| Mathews County, VA | 21 mi | $75,880 | $1,032/mo | 84% |
| Gloucester County, VA | 22 mi | $84,306 | $1,096/mo | 80% |
| Richmond County, VA | 24 mi | $66,304 | $1,067/mo | 75% |
| King and Queen County, VA | 27 mi | $70,469 | $1,004/mo | 76% |
Borrowing situations common in Lancaster County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Lancaster County borrowers.
- 19% long commutes. A Lancaster County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Age 58.2 at the median. Many Lancaster County applicants document income with award letters; ask about early payoff.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
$5,809 a month: the Lancaster County median budget
DTI math using Lancaster County medians ($69,713 income, $1,033 rent):
- Monthly gross at the median, Lancaster County: $5,809
- Rent at the median, $1,033, takes 18% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,000 a month
- Under a 45% cap, $2,614 total minus rent leaves $1,581
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Lancaster County demographics against Virginia
College graduates make up 41% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.5%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| Indicator | Lancaster County | +/- Virginia | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 58.2 | +19.2 yrs | +16.7 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 41.3% | -0.9 pts | +19.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.9% | +4.5 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.5% | -0.4 pts | -1.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | -1.7 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Work from home | 14.8% | -3.5 pts | +6.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | +0.4 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.5% | +5.3 pts | +5.1 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.8% |
| 60+ min | 15.1% |
Virginia lender licensing
Consumer lenders serving Lancaster County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Virginia that is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Virginia: Virginia personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Lancaster County
Quick steps for Lancaster County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Lancaster County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Lancaster County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
No city in Lancaster County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Lancaster County rank on income in Virginia?
62nd of 133, with a median of $69,713. The state median is $93,170.
What do renters pay in Lancaster County?
$1,033 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
Does this page cover Kilmarnock?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Lancaster County, such as Irvington, White Stone, Weems.
Does living in Lancaster 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 Lancaster County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Lancaster County?
Look it up with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.