Wayne
RANK #348 / 996 NAT · #2 / 37 VA · POP 77,433
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.6x — 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 →
| 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 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, Augusta County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $76,124 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in VA.
Housing in Augusta County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $267,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,019/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Augusta County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.4%). Home values shifted +3.8% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.2% of Augusta 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.