Rockbridge County: Economy & Jobs
Rockbridge County reports a median household income of $65,469 (about the same as Rockbridge County median $65,469; 1.4× below Virginia median $93,170), with homes at a median value of $248,800. The surrounding county supports 724 jobs (avg $38,921).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $65,469 — below the Virginia median ($92,968). Poverty rate 8.9% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $10,360 |
|---|---|
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $762,495 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $73,600 (vs Virginia $92,983) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Median Household Income | $65,469 (vs Virginia $92,968) |
| Poverty Rate | 8.9% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 — county FIPS · Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.9% — near the U.S. average of ~4%.
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 724 |
|---|---|
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $28,169,068 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $38,921 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 6,110 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $270,211,287 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $44,224 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 3,981,130 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% (vs Virginia 2.9%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages) · BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-05-03
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 8 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 31,096 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 3,887.00 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Cattle, Crop Totals, Milk |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 448 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 5,202 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 192,784 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 4 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 9 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 11 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 10 |
| Local Businesses · Real Estate Offices | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 13 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 12 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
| Total Snap Stores | 6 |
|---|
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $159,158,124 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,026.85 (vs Virginia $14,580) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 22,650 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
Sources: USAspending API