1st Advantage MortgageIn Warren County, Virginia, the typical household earns $84,682 a year and the typical rent is $1,199. 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
- A quick profile of Warren County
- Household income in Warren County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Warren County
- How Warren County residents earn a living
- Regional comparison for Warren County
- Towns and communities in Warren County
- More Warren County figures
- Reading the Warren County data as a borrower
- What a median Warren County budget can carry
- Virginia rules that apply in Warren County
- Four steps for Warren County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Warren County
Roughly 41,531 residents live in Warren County, Virginia, 43rd by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 215 square miles, that is close to 194 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (1 incorporated, 5 census-designated); the largest is Front Royal, with about 15,296 residents, or 37% of the county.
Household income in Warren County
Half of Warren County households take in less than $84,682 a year and half take in more, 9% below the Virginia median of $93,170.
| Households earning | Warren County | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.2% | +0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.4% | +4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.8% | +1.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.6% | -6.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 42% of Warren County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. Census counts 11.6% of Warren County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.417 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Warren County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Warren County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,199 in Warren County versus $1,579 statewide. By the Census definition, 42% of Warren County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $348,400, a typical Warren County house costs 4.1 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 76% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1986.
| Home costs | Warren County | Virginia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,199/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $348,400 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.2% | 4.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 9% | 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).
How Warren County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Warren County residents work in education and health care and 15% in professional and administrative services. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward construction (13% against 7%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 73% drive to work alone and 39% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Warren County workers | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.7% | -1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.8% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 13.4% | +6.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.0% | +3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -0.9 pts |
| Public administration | 6.6% | -2.3 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.
Regional comparison for Warren County
Six nearby counties, 16 to 24 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Fauquier County leads the group on income ($130,189), Winchester city trails ($63,974), and Warren County out-earns 3 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren County | - | $84,682 | $1,199/mo | 76% |
| Rappahannock County, VA | 16 mi | $83,380 | $1,290/mo | 73% |
| Winchester city, VA | 18 mi | $63,974 | $1,315/mo | 44% |
| Clarke County, VA | 18 mi | $117,111 | $1,371/mo | 81% |
| Shenandoah County, VA | 20 mi | $67,191 | $984/mo | 73% |
| Frederick County, VA | 21 mi | $97,606 | $1,507/mo | 79% |
| Fauquier County, VA | 24 mi | $130,189 | $1,613/mo | 79% |
Towns and communities in Warren County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Warren County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 23,103 residents, leaving about 44% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Apple Mountain Lake has the highest median household income on the list ($131,799) and Front Royal the lowest ($64,838), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Chester Gap ($857) and steepest in Shenandoah Farms ($1,765). No Warren County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Royal | town | 15,296 | $64,838 | $1,135 | 2 mi |
| Shenandoah Farms | CDP | 4,179 | $98,750 | $1,765 | 10 mi |
| Apple Mountain Lake | CDP | 1,671 | $131,799 | $1,669 | 6 mi |
| Chester Gap | CDP | 726 | $69,063 | $857 | 6 mi |
| Skyland Estates | CDP | 620 | $114,037 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Shenandoah Shores | CDP | 611 | $95,273 | $1,520 | 5 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
More Warren County figures
Degree holders: 25% of adults over 25. 9.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Warren County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.0% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.8% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.0% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.4% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Warren County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.6% |
| 60+ min | 26.8% |
Reading the Warren County data as a borrower
Where the Warren County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Long drives. With 39% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Warren County budgets.
- Higher earners. 42% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
What a median Warren County budget can carry
Here is the Warren County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Warren County: $7,057
- Rent at the median, $1,199, takes 17% of that
- Under a 43% cap, $3,034 total minus rent leaves $1,835
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Warren County's.
Virginia rules that apply in Warren County
Warren County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Warren County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Warren County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Virginia.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Warren County household make?
About $84,682 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 9% below the Virginia median.
What do renters pay in Warren County?
$1,199 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Does this page cover Front Royal?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Warren County, such as Shenandoah Farms, Apple Mountain Lake, Chester Gap.
Can Warren 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 Warren 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.