Colonial Beach, VA

Virginia

Colonial Beach is a small town in Virginia with a population of 3,930. Residents earn $52,119 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,930 Population 1,604/sq mi density
$52,119 Median Income $33,890 per capita
$242,800 Home Value $317,559 Zillow
$763 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
196 Violent Crime/100K 2,071 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$52,119 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$242,800 home value, $763/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
196 violent crimes/100K (48% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,119
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $242,800
14% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 196/100K
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.6%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $763
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.6%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.4%
89% higher than US avg

How Colonial Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,930
Median Age46.7 yrs
Density1,604/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 78%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,119
Per Capita$33,890
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty23.4%
County GDP$666M
Commute37 min

Housing

A
Home Value$242,800
Rent$763
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$317,559

Crime

F
Violent196/100K
Property2,071/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault112/100K
Burglary280/100K

Health

Obesity41.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.5%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain48.1 in/yr

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.6%
High School+87.3%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute37 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Colonial Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Colonial Beach receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Colonial Beach has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Colonial Beach is $52,119, 31% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 23.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Colonial Beach is $242,800, 14% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $763 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Colonial Beach is below the national average at 196 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,071 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Colonial Beach experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.1 inches, including 15.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Colonial Beach has a population of 3,930 with a density of 1,604 people per square mile. The median age is 46.7 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.8%), with 14.8% Black.

Population

3,930
Total Population
1,604
People / sq mi
46.7yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Colonial Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.1%
22% above US avg
Spanish3.9%
71% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Colonial Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Colonial Beach is $52,119, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 23.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Colonial Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,119
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,890
Avg Weekly Wage$840
IRS Avg AGI$69,177

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate23.4%
89% above US avg
Establishments (County)476
County GDP$666M

Business (County)

Restaurants39
Healthcare16
Retail54
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,543
1% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.6 min
Work from Home5.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Colonial Beach is $242,800, 14% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $763 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $317,559.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$242,800
14% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$317,559

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$763
34% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,895

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,137
1 Bedroom$1,181
2 Bedrooms$1,369
3 Bedrooms$1,787
4 Bedrooms$2,126

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,543
1% above US avg
Effective Rate1.46%
In Colonial Beach, 41.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.5% report depression. 31.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Colonial Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.6%
30% above US avg
Diabetes13.6%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure36.2%
Asthma12.1%
COPD9.3%
Stroke4.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity31.5%
Depression27.5%
Mental Distress21.0%
Physical Distress16.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.5%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death10,259/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access22.0%
Healthcare Facilities16
Colonial Beach has a violent crime rate of 196 per 100,000 residents, 48% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,071 per 100,000 (6% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Colonial Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent195.9/100K
48% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape83.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault111.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,070.5/100K
6% above US avg
Burglary279.8/100K
Theft1,622.8/100K
Vehicle Theft167.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Colonial Beach has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

35°F Jan (1°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average55.2°F
2% above US avg
January Average35°F (1°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.1 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall15.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area2.5 sq mi (6.3 km²)
Population Density1,604/sq mi
Coordinates38.2644°N, 76.9937°W
County FIPS51193
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.7%
D 42.4%

Winner: Republican by 14.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.6%
36% below US avg
High School+87.3%
School Test Score5.58
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,604/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants39
Retail Stores54

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.6 min
Work from Home5.3%

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