County population in 2012: 22,394 (8% urban, 92% rural); it was 20,808 in 2000 County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 4,137 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 3,030 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 6,585 Renter-occupied apartments: 2,388 (it was 1,901 in 2000)
% of renters here:
22%
State:
33%
Land area: 600 sq. mi. Water area: 1.4 sq. mi.
Population density: 37 people per square mile
(low).
Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Rockbridge County: 87.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
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Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (23.3%), Manufacturing (17.3%), Retail trade (12.3%), Construction (11.6%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $993 (0.5%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $921 (0.6%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 11.6%
(11.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 9.0% for Black residents, 0.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 0.0% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 0.0% for other race residents, 53.7% for two or more races residents) Median age of residents in 2010: 46 years old
(Males: 45 years old, Females: 47 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 47 years old, Black residents: 44 years old, American Indian residents: 43 years old, Asian residents: 39 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 26 years old, Other race residents: 29 years old)
Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
9.6%
Whole state:
9.6%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
4.4%
Whole state:
4.3%
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rockbridge County is $434 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $483 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $703 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Rockbridge County: Marble Spring Shelter (A), Ingleside Trout Farm (B), Natural Bridge Camp for Boys (C), Lexington Golf and Country Club (D), Norvell Flats (E), Camp Bowman (F), Camp PMI (G), Top Dirve Overlook (H), Lake Robertson Recreational Area (I), Glenwood Furnace (J), Smith Tract Campground (K), Rockbridge Alum Springs (L), Rockbridge Baths (M), Locher Tract Picnic Area (N), Camp Ross (O), Camp Baird (P), Camp Olmsted (Q), Whites Gap Overlook (R), Thunder Ridge Overlook (S), Stillhouse Hollow Parking Area (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Rockbridge County include: Bethesda Presbyterian Church (A), Fairfield Presbyterian Church (B), Fairfield United Methodist Church (C), Irish Creek Mission (D), Bethany Church (E), Broad Creek Church (F), Buffalo Church (G), Cave Mountain Church (H), Cedar Grove Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Pullen Cemetery (1), The Pines Cemetery (2), Tolley Cemetery (3), Wesley Chapel Cemetery (4), Union View Cemetery (5), Timber Ridge Cemetery (6), Stony Hill Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Reservoirs: Lake Robertson (A), Cave Mountain Lake (B), Lexington Reservoir (C), Lake Merriweather (D), Lexington Reservoir (E), Cold Sulpher Springs Lake (F), Willow Lake (G), Robertson Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Pisgah Branch (A), Wigwam Creek (B), Whitesides Run (C), Whites Run (D), Whistle Creek (E), Waterloo Creek (F), Warm Run (G), Walters Creek (H), Walker Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Rockbridge County include: Brownsburg Historic District (1), Alumni Field (2), Smith Baseball Field (3), Maury Monument (4), Rockbridge Alum Springs Historic District (5), Tye River Gap Recreational Area (6), Goshen Wildlife Management Area (7), Captain Dick Smith Baseball Field (8). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 779 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 71.0% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.7%
Number of foreign born residents: 416 (51% naturalized citizens)
Rockbridge County:
2.0%
Whole state:
8.1%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 36
1990 to 1994: 65
1985 to 1989: 82
1980 to 1984: 84
1975 to 1979: 34
1970 to 1974: 12
1970 to 1974: 12
1965 to 1969: 91
Mean travel time to work (commute): 25.1 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 54.3%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 7,545
One, attached: 80
Two: 113
3 or 4: 51
5 to 9: 175
10 to 19: 132
20 or more: 40
Mobile homes: 1,400
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 14
Housing units in Rockbridge County with a mortgage: 2,304 (177 second mortgage, 272 home equity loan, 7 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,811
Here:
56.0% with mortgage
State:
75.1% with mortgage
Religion statistics:
Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 41.82%
Here
41.8%
USA
50.2%
Total adherents: 8,702 Total congregations: 58
Adherents
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregations
Name
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Southern Baptist Convention
International Pentecostal Holiness Church
United Methodist Church
Other
Adherents
3,219 (37.0%)
1,593 (18.3%)
1,178 (13.5%)
1,176 (13.5%)
1,536 (17.7%)
Congregations
17 (29.3%)
9 (15.5%)
5 (8.6%)
14 (24.1%)
13 (22.4%)
Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Average size of farms: 199 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $23,505 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $74.68 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 5.83% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 86.37% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $19,957 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 21.52% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 2.06% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $29,624 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 91.13% Average age of principal farm operators: 58 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 23.78 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 2.62% Corn for grain: 1520 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 176 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 149 harvested acres Vegetables: 41 harvested acres Land in orchards: 106 acres
Earthquake activity:
Rockbridge County-area historical earthquake activity is below Virginia state average. It is 93% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 12/9/2003 at 20:59:14, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB, 4.5 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 85.3 miles away from the county center On 5/5/2003 at 16:32:32, a magnitude 3.9 (3.9 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 74.7 miles away from the county center On 10/21/1998 at 05:56:47, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, 3.3 LG, Depth: 8.3 mi) earthquake occurred 65.6 miles away from the county center On 3/15/1991 at 06:54:08, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, Depth: 10.9 mi) earthquake occurred 83.3 miles away from Rockbridge County center On 4/22/1991 at 01:01:20, a magnitude 3.5 (3.5 LG, Depth: 9.1 mi) earthquake occurred 43.1 miles away from the county center On 9/22/2001 at 16:01:20, a magnitude 3.2 (3.2 LG, 2.5 LG, Depth: 1.2 mi) earthquake occurred 58.9 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB)
Most recent natural disasters:
Virginia Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: December 18, 2009 to December 20, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1874): February 16, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1874, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: June 23, 2006 to July 6, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1655): July 13, 2006, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1655, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Virginia Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3240): September 12, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3240, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Virginia Hurricane Isabel, Incident Period: September 18, 2003 to October 1, 2003, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1491): September 18, 2003, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1491, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Virginia Winter Storm, Incident Period: January 25, 2000 to January 30, 2000, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1318): February 28, 2000, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1318, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Virginia Hurricane Fran, Incident Period: September 5, 1996 to September 23, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1135): September 6, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1135, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Virginia Severe Flooding, Incident Period: January 19, 1996 to February 1, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1098): January 27, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1098, Natural disaster type: Flood
Virginia Blizzard, Incident Period: January 6, 1996 to January 12, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1086): January 13, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1086, Natural disaster type: Blizzard
Virginia Severe Storm, Flooding, Incident Period: June 22, 1995 to July 7, 1995, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1059): July 1, 1995, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1059, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Virginia Ice Storm, Severe Storm, Flooding, Incident Period: February 8, 1994 to February 12, 1994, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1014): March 10, 1994, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1014, Natural disaster type: Ice Storm, Storm, Flood
7 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Rockbridge County (17) is greater than the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 14 Emergencies Declared: 3
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 7, Storms: 6, Hurricanes: 3, Winter Storms: 2, Storm: 1, Tornado: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Flood: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tropical Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (6%)
Other production occupations including supervisors (5%)
Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisors (5%)
Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (4%)
Construction trades workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (4%)
Assemblers and fabricators (4%)
Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers (7%)
Cashiers (5%)
Secretaries and administrative assistants (5%)
Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (5%)
Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (4%)
Other sales and related workers including supervisors (4%)
Other production occupations including supervisors (4%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
India (24%)
Italy (11%)
Chile (10%)
Germany (9%)
Mexico (7%)
United Kingdom (6%)
Asia, n.e.c. (5%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Rockbridge County (%):
United States or American (34%)
German (14%)
English (14%)
Irish (9%)
Scotch-Irish (7%)
Italian (3%)
Scottish (2%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 7,871 (79%)
Carpooled: 1,396 (14%)
Bus or trolley bus: 44 (0%)
Railroad: 6 (0%)
Walked: 110 (1%)
Other means: 78 (1%)
Worked at home: 459 (5%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders
People in group quarters in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 2000:
75 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
60 people in training schools for juvenile delinquents
59 people in nursing homes
6 people in homes for the mentally retarded
4 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms
People in group quarters in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 2010:
88 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
54 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
23 people in workers’ group living quarters and job corps centers
10 people in group homes intended for adults
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $49,355.
6.47% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($43,682 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.47%
Virginia average:
11.06%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
4.05% relocated from other counties in Virginia ($23,144 average AGI)
2.42% relocated from other states ($20,538 average AGI)
Rockbridge County:
2.42%
Virginia average:
4.24%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
5.92% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($35,069 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.92%
Virginia average:
10.78%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.02% relocated to other counties in Virginia ($23,225 average AGI)
1.90% relocated to other states ($11,846 average AGI)
Rockbridge County:
1.90%
Virginia average:
4.13%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 9.6 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.0
Births per 1000 population in Rockbridge County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 9.4 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 10.0
Deaths per 1000 population in Rockbridge County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 4.2 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 8.7
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Rockbridge County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 2,390 (2,004 aged, 386 disabled) Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 8% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 4%
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1120.420 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1068.640
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 14.12
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 4.71
Household type by relationship:
Households: 22,132
In family households: 18,167 (4,689 male householders, 1,710 female householders)
5,054 spouses, 5,208 children (4,835 natural, 110 adopted, 263 stepchildren), 498 grandchildren, 117 brothers or sisters, 143 parents, 161 other relatives, 467 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 3,965 (1,541 male householders (1,229 living alone)), 1,615 female householders (1,376 living alone)), 809 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 175 (142 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 3,426 2-persons, 1,422 3-persons, 987 4-persons, 386 5-persons, 114 6-persons, 64 7-or-more-persons.
97.0% of residents of Rockbridge County speak English at home.
1.2% of residents speak Spanish at home (54% speak English very well, 26% speak English well, 18% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
1.6% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (75% speak English very well, 13% speak English well, 11% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.2% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (76% speak English very well, 11% speak English well, 13% speak English not well).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (100% speak English very well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $184,529,000 ($8752 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $26,114,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $40,710,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $14,307,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $827,000 Federal grants: $26,108,000 Federal procurement contracts: $43,727,000 ($22,918,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $58,850,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $691,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $7,612,000 Federal Government insurance: $26,697,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,122
Here:
53 per 1000 residents
State:
70 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 1,081
Here:
51 per 1000 residents
State:
40 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +5
Here:
+0 per 1000 residents
State:
+18 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: +418
Here:
+20 per 1000 residents
State:
+14 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Rockbridge County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 3.06 millions of gallons per day (54% from ground, 46% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.0
State:
6.6
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.9
State:
4.3
Year house built
2005 or later: 119
2000 to 2004: 357
1990 to 1999: 1,947
1980 to 1989: 1,542
1970 to 1979: 1,674
1960 to 1969: 1,330
1950 to 1959: 1,076
1940 to 1949: 567
1939 or earlier: 2,284
Rooms in houses/apartments in Rockbridge County, Virginia
65% of Rockbridge County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 54% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 51% lived in Virginia.
Rockbridge County:
65.3%
State average:
53.8%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 15289
Northeast: 1518
Midwest: 804
South: 2261
West: 430
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $72,500
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 4%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 3%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit:
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Rockbridge County
46.0 years
37.0 years
(46.7%)
(53.3%)
, Amherst County 
, Augusta County 
, Bath County 
, Bedford County 
, Botetourt County 
, Nelson County 
.
