RANK #504 / 1001 NAT · #16 / 37 VA · POP 78,033
1YR FORECAST: +2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Augusta County, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, offers access to natural landmarks like Natural Chimneys, known for its towering limestone formations and as a music festival venue. The county is situated between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, providing scenic views and extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Major interstates I-81 and I-64 run through the county, with the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro located within its borders. Commuting is facilitated by these interstates and local transit options like the BRITE bus service, which connects Staunton, Waynesboro, and Fishersville, and the Afton Express for travel to Charlottesville.
Life in Augusta County is characterized by a blend of rural and small-town living, with many residents owning their homes. The public school system, serving over 10,000 students across 19 schools, is fully accredited. The local economy is supported by sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics. Recent economic developments include investments in industrial and commercial construction, with major employers contributing to the job market. The county's economic development efforts also focus on attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones.
Augusta County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +5.8% YoY, population +0.4%, wages +3.0%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.5x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Augusta County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Valley 230 kV Battery Storage
Undisclosed
|
$210M | Planned |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Augusta CSG & Waynesboro Bridge Solar)
Dimension Renewable Energy
|
$105M | Operating |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Shamrock Farms Expansion
Shamrock Farms
|
$59M | Under Construction |
|
Augusta County Courthouse Construction
Augusta County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
CAVA Processing & Packaging Plant
CAVA
|
$30M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Augusta County scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#504). Median household income is $82,049 and job growth is running at +4.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Augusta County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $306,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,136/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Augusta County are hiring — job growth of +4.6% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% YoY). Home values moved +5.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.98% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Augusta County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.8% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Augusta County is now valued at $306,100. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.