Hartwood
RANK #889 / 996 NAT · #31 / 37 VA · POP 157,606
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
Government Island, a 17-acre park in Stafford County, holds a unique place in American history as the quarry that supplied Aquia sandstone for iconic Washington D.C. buildings like the White House and the U.S. Capitol. Located approximately 40 miles south of Washington D.C., Stafford County blends suburban and rural characteristics. Commute options to Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia include the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and OmniRide bus service, with park-and-ride lots available. The county also offers extensive outdoor recreation, with parks like Widewater State Park providing access to the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Life in Stafford County often appeals to families and professionals, many of whom commute to federal and defense facilities. Stafford County Public Schools serve over 32,000 students across 33 schools, all of which are accredited. The local economy is influenced by its proximity to Marine Corps Base Quantico and a growing focus on warehousing, logistics, and government contracting. Recent economic development efforts also include broad investments in technology and infrastructure.
Overvalued relative to economy
Contracting economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.3x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Stafford Technology Center (Data Center Complex)
The Garrett Companies
|
$7,900M | Approved |
|
GWV Data Center
The Garrett Companies
|
$7,900M | Proposed |
|
Vantage Data Centers VA4 Campus
Vantage Data Centers
|
$2,000M | Under Construction |
|
FY2026-35 Capital Improvement Program (Transportation & Schools)
Stafford County
|
$1,450M | Planned |
|
Amazon Cross-Dock Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Enon Road Community Solar Preserve
ESA Solar
|
$50M | 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 — Stafford County scores just 10/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #889 of 996 counties. Job growth at -1.9% and median household income of $128,036 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Stafford County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $431,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,828/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Stafford County is attracting residents (population +2.2% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -1.9%. Housing values changed +1.2% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
In significant numbers — 6.04% of Stafford 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.