East Fairfax
RANK #452 / 996 NAT · #7 / 37 VA · POP 52,822
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Culpeper County, Virginia, is distinguished by its historic town of Culpeper, where colonial charm meets modern amenities. George Washington himself surveyed the town in 1749. Located in the north-central Piedmont region, the county is about 60 miles northeast of Washington, D.C., and 45 miles southwest of Charlottesville, offering a balance of small-town atmosphere with access to larger cities. The community values its rural setting and small-town feel, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Outdoor recreation is available at places like Mountain Run Lake Park, which offers fishing, boating, and trails.
Life in Culpeper County appeals to families and those seeking a quieter lifestyle, though many employed residents commute outside the county for work. Culpeper County Public Schools operates eleven schools, serving approximately 8,400 students. The local economy is diversifying beyond its agricultural roots, with growth in sectors such as technology, including data centers, and energy. The county's strategic location and infrastructure are attracting new investment, contributing to its economic evolution.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 9.1x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
EdgeCore Culpeper Campus
EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
DataBank Culpeper Campus (IAD5 and IAD6)
DataBank
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Peterson Cos. Data Center Campus
Peterson Cos.
|
$500M | Planned |
|
CloudHQ CLP Campus
CloudHQ
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Greenwood Solar
N/A
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Strata Solar Project
Strata Clean Energy
|
$65M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Culpeper County scores 54/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#452). Median household income is $92,359 and job growth is running at -0.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Culpeper County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $369,600 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,383/month on average.
Culpeper County's population is growing — up +1.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.7%). Home values shifted +2.8% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.4% of Culpeper 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.