Ashby
RANK #575 / 1001 NAT · #19 / 37 VA · POP 85,600
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Rockingham County, Virginia, located in the central Shenandoah Valley, is defined by its natural surroundings, with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west. The county surrounds the independent city of Harrisonburg, home to James Madison University. Public transportation options are available through Harrisonburg's bus routes and ValleyRide, which connects to surrounding towns like Broadway and Timberville. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with portions of Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest within the county, offering extensive trails, scenic drives like Skyline Drive, and opportunities for hiking, biking, and water activities. Life in Rockingham County is characterized by a family-friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of community. The public school system is recognized for its above-average performance. The economy is diversified, with agriculture, education, and advanced manufacturing playing roles. Recent economic developments include a significant investment by Merck to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing center in the county. Additionally, the Innovation Village at Rockingham is a mixed-use development planned to include retail, office, medical, commercial, and residential components.
Rockingham County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.4% matches the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.9x — 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 Rockingham County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Rockingham County scores 42/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#575). Median household income is $80,693 and job growth is running at -0.5%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Rockingham County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $313,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,160/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Rockingham County's population is growing — up +1.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.5%). Home values shifted +2.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.69% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Rockingham County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.