Scottsville
RANK #833 / 996 NAT · #29 / 37 VA · POP 112,513
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
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
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Albemarle County scores just 16/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #833 of 996 counties. Job growth at +4.6% and median household income of $97,708 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Albemarle County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $450,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,570/month on average.
Albemarle County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.6% clip. Home values shifted +1.5% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 7.14% of Albemarle County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.