RANK #795 / 1001 NAT · #28 / 37 VA · POP 71,005
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
York County, Virginia, is perhaps best known for Yorktown, the site of the decisive 1781 Revolutionary War victory that secured American independence. Located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, York County offers a blend of historical significance and natural beauty. The county is bordered by the York River, providing scenic waterfronts and opportunities for boating, fishing, and beachcombing along its over 200 miles of coastline. Commuters benefit from proximity to Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 17, connecting them to nearby cities like Williamsburg, Newport News, and Hampton. The community maintains a small-town feel despite its amenities. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore numerous parks, including New Quarter Park with its extensive hiking and biking trails, and Back Creek Park, a hub for pickleball.
Life in York County is often characterized by its family-friendly environment and highly-rated public schools. The York County School Division, with its 19 schools, offers diverse programs, including magnet schools and the International Baccalaureate program. The economy is supported by a mix of sectors, including tourism, with attractions like the Yorktown Battlefield and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown drawing visitors. Recent economic developments show growth in sectors such as early childhood education and local dining, with new facilities and expansions addressing community needs and enhancing commercial corridors. The county also sees ongoing investment in various business sectors.
York County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.6% YoY, population +0.6%, wages +5.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 24.3x — 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.
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: 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
QTS Data Center Campus
QTS
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
York County Light Industrial Park and Solar Farm
Eastern Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority (EVRIFA)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Residential Developments (Multiple Communities)
Various (e.g., Stanley Martin Homes, Greenwood Homes, Marquee Homes, Corinth Residential LLC)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 20/100, York County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $109,956 combined with job growth of +1.7% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in York County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $433,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,827/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
York County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted +1.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.51% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests York County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.