Damascus, VA

Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Damascus is a small town in Virginia with a population of 766. Residents earn $33,173 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
766 Population 958/sq mi density
$33,173 Median Income $27,438 per capita
$186,300 Home Value $203,262 Zillow
$713 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
245 Violent Crime/100K 2,822 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$33,173 median income, 0.4% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$186,300 home value, $713/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
245 violent crimes/100K (35% below avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,173
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $186,300
34% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 245/100K
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.2%
43% lower than US avg
Median Rent $713
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.8%
13% lower than US avg

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

People

Population766
Median Age50.4 yrs
Density958/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

B
Median Income$33,173
Per Capita$27,438
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty10.8%
Commute16 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$186,300
Rent$713
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$203,262

Crime

F
Violent245/100K
Property2,822/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault245/100K
Burglary245/100K

Health

Obesity40.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.3%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain47.3 in/yr
Elevation1,934 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.2%
High School+85.2%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute16 min
Libraries5

Is Damascus a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Damascus receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Damascus has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Damascus is $33,173, 56% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. 10.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Damascus is $186,300, 34% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $713 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Damascus is below the national average at 245 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,822 per 100,000, 44% above the national average.

Education

19.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Damascus experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Damascus has a population of 766 with a density of 958 people per square mile. The median age is 50.4 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.9%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

766
Total Population
958
People / sq mi
50.4yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Damascus vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Damascus vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Damascus is $33,173, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Damascus vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,173
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,438
Avg Weekly Wage$932
IRS Avg AGI$69,296

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.8%
13% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,578

Business (County)

Restaurants104
Healthcare152
Retail217
Manufacturing55

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,112
11% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.3 min
Work from Home8.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Damascus is $186,300, 34% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $713 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $203,262.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$186,300
34% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$203,262

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$713
39% below US avg

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-Occupied49.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,112
11% below US avg
Effective Rate1.67%
In Damascus, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.3% report depression. 28.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Damascus vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes11.2%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma11.9%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity28.1%
Depression28.3%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.1%
Checkup Rate76.1%
Premature Death11,010/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access62.6%
Healthcare Facilities152
Damascus has a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, 35% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,822 per 100,000 (44% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent245.4/100K
35% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault245.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,822.1/100K
44% above US avg
Burglary245.4/100K
Theft2,576.7/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Damascus has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

35°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.7°F
1% above US avg
January Average35°F (1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.3 inches
24% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,934 ft (589 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density958/sq mi
Coordinates36.6327°N, 81.7894°W
County FIPS51191
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (43% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 53.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.4%
D 23%

Winner: Republican by 53.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.2%
43% below US avg
High School+85.2%
School Test Score5.58
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density958/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities152
Restaurants104
Retail Stores217

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.3 min
Work from Home8.2%

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