1st Advantage MortgageWinchester city households have a median income of $63,974 and median rent of $1,315 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Winchester city, VA: the basics
- Employment and commuting in Winchester city
- Household income in Winchester city
- Housing costs in Winchester city
- Towns and communities in Winchester city
- Winchester city and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Winchester city's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Winchester city
- People and households in Winchester city
- Four steps for Winchester city borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Winchester city residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Winchester city, VA: the basics
Winchester city is home to about 27,913 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 65th most populous of 133 county-level areas in Virginia. It covers 9 square miles of land, or about 3,036 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Winchester, VA-WV metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Winchester, with about 27,913 residents, or 100% of the county.
Employment and commuting in Winchester city
The biggest employer of Winchester city residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (14%). The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 10% locally and 7% for Virginia. Averaged over the five survey years, 6.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 14% work from home.
| Top industries | Winchester city share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.9% | +2.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.2% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.9% | +2.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.3% | +0.8 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Winchester city
Winchester city households have a median income of $63,974 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 80th of 133 in Virginia.
| Household income | Winchester city | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.8% | +8.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.7% | +10.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.9% | -10.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.6% | -9.0 pts |
Some 27% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 21.5%, 12 points higher than the state's 9.9%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Winchester city
A typical Winchester city rental runs $1,315 a month including utilities, which is 17% below Virginia. By the Census definition, 55% of Winchester city renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $343,000, about 5.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 44%. Half the housing stock was built before 1968.
| Home costs | Winchester city | Virginia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,315/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $343,000 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 44% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% | 4.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 9% | n/a |
For the many renters in Winchester city, deposits, moving costs and card balances are typical reasons to borrow. Keep the amount small and the term short. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Towns and communities in Winchester city
Winchester is the only Census place mainly inside Winchester city, with about 27,913 of the county's 27,913 residents. Winchester has no separate guide, so this county page serves it.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | city | 27,913 | $63,974 | $1,315 | 0 mi |
Winchester city and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Frederick County at 5 miles out to Hampshire County at 25. Income ranges from $63,116 in Hampshire County to $117,111 in Clarke County; 5 of these neighbors top Winchester city's median. The list crosses into West Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester city | - | $63,974 | $1,315/mo | 44% |
| Frederick County, VA | 5 mi | $97,606 | $1,507/mo | 79% |
| Clarke County, VA | 11 mi | $117,111 | $1,371/mo | 81% |
| Warren County, VA | 18 mi | $84,682 | $1,199/mo | 76% |
| Jefferson County, WV | 19 mi | $98,806 | $1,108/mo | 80% |
| Berkeley County, WV | 20 mi | $80,815 | $1,233/mo | 76% |
| Hampshire County, WV | 25 mi | $63,116 | $720/mo | 83% |
Debt-to-income at Winchester city's medians
How much room does a median Winchester city budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,331 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,315, or 25 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $604 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Winchester city's.
Borrowing situations common in Winchester city
Based on the Winchester city data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Free help first. 21% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Renters under pressure. When 55% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
People and households in Winchester city
College graduates make up 31% of the adult population. 12.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Winchester city | Virginia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.3% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.5% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.3% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.4% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.0% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.5% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.4% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.2% |
| 60+ min | 7.1% |
Four steps for Winchester city borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Winchester city residents
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Virginia license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Virginia guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Winchester city earn?
The median is $63,974; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Winchester city expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,315 against $1,579 statewide, and 55% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Winchester?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Winchester city.
Is the fit check different in Winchester city?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Winchester city 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.