RANK #420 / 996 · POP 112,513 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.0%
Albemarle County, Virginia, is often recognized for its connection to Thomas Jefferson, whose Monticello estate is located within its borders. The county is situated in Central Virginia, surrounding the independent city of Charlottesville, and offers a blend of rural landscapes and urban amenities. Commuting to Charlottesville is common, with various public transit options like JAUNT and Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) serving the area, alongside routes connecting to the University of Virginia. The community provides access to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, and over 90 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, contributing to its natural appeal.
Life in Albemarle County is characterized by a high quality of life, supported by strong schools and a focus on community engagement. The local economy is diverse, with significant contributions from education and healthcare, largely due to the presence of the University of Virginia. There is also a growing emphasis on innovation, particularly in biotechnology, life sciences, and national security sectors, with ongoing efforts to expand industrial infrastructure. Additionally, the agricultural sector, including wineries and local food production, plays a role in the county's economic landscape.
Overvalued relative to economy
No data
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AstraZeneca Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility
AstraZeneca
|
$4,500M | Planned |
|
Woodridge Solar Project
Hexagon Energy
|
$220M | Planned |
|
Rivanna Futures (Intelligence & National Security Innovation Campus)
Albemarle County
|
$70M | Under Construction |
|
Northside Drive Industrial Building
Southern Development Group
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Albemarle Business Campus
Albemarle Business Campus (ABC)
|
$40M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Albemarle County has a Boom Town Index score of 58/100, ranking #420 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.6% and a median household income of $97,708, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Albemarle County is $450,200 with median rent at $1,570/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.217, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.6%. Home values changed +1.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 7.14% of Albemarle County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.