1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Rockingham County is $1,160 a month against a median household income of $80,693, about 17% of income (ACS 2020-24). 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
- Rockingham County in brief
- The Rockingham County job picture
- Rockingham County against other Virginia counties
- Rent, home values and ownership in Rockingham County
- How much Rockingham County households make
- Rockingham County communities by population
- How Rockingham County compares with nearby counties
- Local borrowing considerations for Rockingham County
- Debt-to-income, Rockingham County edition
- Age, degrees and coverage in Rockingham County
- Before you sign
- Verifying a lender from Rockingham County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Rockingham County in brief
With an estimated 85,600 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Rockingham County ranks 24th of 133 in Virginia for population. Rockingham County spans 850 square miles; with 85,600 people, that is 100.7 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Harrisonburg, VA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Largest place: Bridgewater, about 6,708 residents (8% of Rockingham County); 15 Census places in all.
The Rockingham County job picture
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 14%. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward manufacturing (14% against 7%). Unemployment in Rockingham County, ACS five-year: 2.7%; Virginia: 4.3%. About 78% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Rockingham County | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.9% | +6.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -9.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rockingham County against other Virginia counties
The 4 Rockingham County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Virginia, and what each means for a borrower:
- Rockingham County ranks 8th highest of 133 Virginia counties for the uninsured rate: 10.6%, against 6.9% statewide. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- Rockingham County ranks 14th lowest of 133 Virginia counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 8%, against 18% statewide. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- The ACS unemployment rate: 2.7% in Rockingham County. Only 23 of 133 Virginia counties are lower. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
- Population: 85,600 in Rockingham County. Only 23 of 133 Virginia counties are higher. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
Rent, home values and ownership in Rockingham County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,160 in Rockingham County versus $1,579 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 43% in Rockingham County, 49% statewide. Median value $313,000; median income $80,693; ratio 3.9. Owners occupy 75% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1986. Against the median U.S. county, Rockingham County rent is 32% above.
| Rockingham County | Virginia | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 75% | 67% | +7.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 49% | -5.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 25% | -4.6 pts |
| Mobile homes | 8.3% | 4.3% | +4.0 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,160/mo | $1,579/mo | 27% lower |
| Vacant units | 11% | 9% | +1.9 pts |
| Median home value | $313,000 | $383,700 | 18% lower |
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).
How much Rockingham County households make
Median household income in Rockingham County: $80,693 (13% below Virginia, $93,170). That places it 48th among Virginia's 133 county-level areas.
| Band | Rockingham County | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.3% | +1.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.9% | +6.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.2% | +0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.6% | -8.1 pts |
Six-figure households (39%) outnumber those under $35,000 (19%) in Rockingham County. 9.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). Rockingham County scores 0.450 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Rockingham County median.
Rockingham County communities by population
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 15 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 41% of Rockingham County residents live in one of the 15. Incomes vary by place: $114,737 at the median in Massanetta Springs, $59,909 in Timberville. Bridgewater and every other Rockingham County community use this county guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater | town | 6,708 | $75,280 | $1,216 | 9 mi |
| Massanetta Springs | CDP | 6,358 | $114,737 | $1,822 | 8 mi |
| Broadway | town | 4,273 | $64,669 | $1,095 | 8 mi |
| Timberville | town | 3,036 | $59,909 | $970 | 11 mi |
| Elkton | town | 3,006 | $62,031 | $821 | 16 mi |
| Grottoes | town | 2,961 | $100,291 | $840 | 17 mi |
| Massanutten | CDP | 2,261 | $108,207 | $998 | 11 mi |
| Dayton | town | 1,920 | $75,769 | $1,074 | 7 mi |
| McGaheysville | CDP | 1,327 | $66,761 | $1,456 | 12 mi |
| Belmont Estates | CDP | 1,162 | $86,835 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Keezletown | CDP | 706 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Mount Crawford | town | 532 | $100,526 | $1,000 | 11 mi |
| Port Republic | CDP | 510 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Linville | CDP | 484 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
How Rockingham County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 5 to 27 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $57,037 in Page County to $89,808 in Greene County; 2 of these neighbors top Rockingham County's median. The list crosses into West Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham County | - | $80,693 | $1,160/mo | 75% |
| Harrisonburg city, VA | 5 mi | $62,254 | $1,184/mo | 39% |
| Page County, VA | 23 mi | $57,037 | $879/mo | 72% |
| Staunton city, VA | 26 mi | $65,581 | $1,024/mo | 61% |
| Greene County, VA | 27 mi | $89,808 | $1,309/mo | 83% |
| Augusta County, VA | 27 mi | $82,049 | $1,136/mo | 80% |
| Pendleton County, WV | 27 mi | $64,931 | $770/mo | 85% |
Local borrowing considerations for Rockingham County
- Medical bills. 11% of Rockingham County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Debt-to-income, Rockingham County edition
Rockingham County's $80,693 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Start: $6,724 gross per month ($80,693 / 12)
- 17% goes to median rent ($1,160)
- $1,530: 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.
Age, degrees and coverage in Rockingham County
29% of Rockingham County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Rockingham County | +/- Virginia | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.0% | -13.1 pts | +6.9 pts |
| Work from home | 9.2% | -9.1 pts | +0.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.6% | +4.1 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.6% | +3.7 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | -1.5 pts | -1.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | -1.3 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Median age | 40.1 | +1.1 yrs | -1.4 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | -0.1 pts | -3.4 pts |
| Commute length | Rockingham County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 3.6% |
Before you sign
A short checklist for Rockingham County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Rockingham County-area credit union.
- A Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Verifying a lender from Rockingham County
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Virginia license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. State-level detail for Rockingham County borrowers is in the Virginia guide.
Keep exploring
No city in Rockingham County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Rockingham County earn?
The median is $80,693; 39% earn $100,000 or more and 19% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Rockingham County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,160 a month; 43% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
How many towns are in Rockingham County?
The Census Bureau counts 15 places mainly in the county, led by Bridgewater, Massanetta Springs, Broadway, Timberville, Elkton.
Are Rockingham 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.
Where can someone in Rockingham 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.