Williamsburg's standout: it is more walkable than 95% of U.S. towns. Overall it grades B+, ranked 126th of 249 in Virginia. It is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns and natural-hazard risk is low. Williamsburg’s trail density is 3.1 miles per square mile, where Virginia’s towns sit at 0.7 and U.S. towns at 0.4. Its National Register listings include Williamsburg Historic District and Peyton Randolph House. Among 253 Virginia towns, just 7 have a lower median age than Williamsburg.

StrongestA⁺Walkability AHazard risk AOutdoorsWeakestCCost of living

What makes Williamsburg stand out

Where Williamsburg beats most towns.

Williamsburg Historic District

HistoryB⁺

Settled in 1638

14 places on the National Register

A history going back 388 years.

Jobs vs. working residents

Jobs here11,325

Residents who work4,593

Work

2.5 jobs for every working resident

A regional job hub: more jobs per worker than 96% of U.S. towns

Census LEHD 2023.

WalkabilityA⁺

More walkable than 95% of U.S. towns

15.3% of workers walk, bike or ride transit

EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.

Williamsburg Historic District · National Register of Historic Places

Williamsburg’s story

388 years in pictures

Williamsburg Historic District is one of 6 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1638, comes before those of 98% of the Virginia towns we grade with a known year.

Census counts: 1,344 in 1790, a low of 877 in 1850, 15,425 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 1662 and 5 maps from 1906 on.

14 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1638Williamsburg is settled

Explore the history →

How Williamsburg grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Virginia), ordered by how far Williamsburg is from typical.

How grading works

WalkabilityEPA walkability 10.5 of 20; 6.5% of households have no carA⁺Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 10% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listAOpen →HealthSentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center 2.8 miles awayA⁻Open →Cost of livingCOpen →SchoolsB⁺Open →Jobs & income$76K median household income; 11,325 jobs based hereBOpen →SafetyB⁻Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors18% conserved landAOpen →History51 notable people born hereB⁺Open →Civic life8.2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB⁺Open →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market23 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 23.7–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

Colonial Williamsburg and 44 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Williamsburg. Close and well known come first.

All 80 attractions →

in town MuseumColonial Williamsburg

4 mi Theme parkBusch Gardens Williamsburg

5 mi MuseumJamestown Settlement

in town MuseumGovernor's Palace

10 mi Ancient siteWerowocomoco

28 mi National MonumentFort Monroe National Monument

Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credits

Colonial Williamsburg: Humberto Moreno, CC BY 2.0 · Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Cjh1452000, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jamestown Settlement: Warfieldian, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Governor's Palace: Ron Cogswell, CC BY 2.0 · Werowocomoco: engraved by William Hole, Public domain · Fort Monroe National Monument: Unknown, Public domain

Getting set up

Moving to Williamsburg: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Williamsburg, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerDominion Energy15.2¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterCity of Williamsburg water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet5 providers91% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpBy addressTown’s hauler · day by addressTown site

SchoolsWilliamsburg City Public SchoolsWhich school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteOnlineIn Virginia you can register online until 11 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 11 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereWilliamsburg General RegistrarThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023

ZIP codes23185, 2318823185 97% · 23188 3%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Williamsburg.

Williamsburg is shaped by its college students, draws workers from Newport News and beyond and has seen reported crime fall by a fifth or more.

OutdoorsA

Conserved land covers 18.3% of Williamsburg

28 miles of trail in 10 parks and preserves. The biggest park or preserve is Colonial National Historical Park, at 155 acres.

#8for trails in VA

18.3%

conserved · 1,060 of 5,791 acres

28 mi

of trails · 3.1 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Colonial National Historical Park	—	155
2. Redoubt Park	—	86
3. Quarterpath Park	—	22

Full pageWilliamsburg’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map28 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk155 acres · Colonial National Historical Park Conserved land18.3% conserved · 1,060 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Williamsburg?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

SchoolsB⁺

Williamsburg’s public schools outperform 72% of Virginia districts

Its public schools are run by the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. Two of its 4 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.

72%of VA districts it outscoresB⁺School Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Berkeley MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8	Grades 6–8	666	B
Walsingham Academy PrivateLargest high schoolGrades PK–12	Grades PK–12	498	–

Full pageWilliamsburg’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsWilliamsburg-James City County Public Schools Every school4 schools · Berkeley Middle Questions“Are Williamsburg’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within VA on state tests and graduation

Who lives here

A college town: 41% of residents are 18 to 24

40.7% of residents are enrolled in college, against 6.9% statewide, which pulls the median age down.

Adults 18 to 34 are 50% of residents (23% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 22% of residents (39% statewide). 11% of Williamsburg residents are under 18, below both the Virginia town median (23%) and the median of U.S. towns (22%). 46% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Williamsburg.

23.7median age · VA 39

	Williamsburg	Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Under 18	11%	23%	22%
Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+	46%	44%	29%
Aged 65 or older	18%	16%	18%

WilliamsburgVirginiaUnited States

VAU.S.

Ages · share of residents

41%

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma7%

High school19%

Some college19%

Associate’s10%

Bachelor’s23%

Graduate23%

Women and men · all residents

54% women, 46% men

About 86 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±1.4 points). Across Virginia, 50.6% of residents are women. Median age: women 24.1, men 22.9.

Ages and education in Williamsburg
	Williamsburg	VA	U.S.
Under 10	5.4%	11.6%	11.6%
10 to 17	5.2%	10.1%	10.3%
18 to 24	40.9%	9.3%	9.1%
25 to 34	8.9%	13.5%	13.7%
35 to 44	7.9%	13.6%	13.2%
45 to 54	5.1%	12.5%	12.2%
55 to 64	9.2%	12.8%	12.7%
65 to 74	9.5%	9.9%	10.2%
75 and older	8%	6.8%	7%
No diploma	6.5%	8.4%	10.4%
High school	18.6%	23.9%	26%
Some college	18.7%	17.7%	19.1%
Associate’s	10.4%	7.8%	8.8%
Bachelor’s	23.3%	23.7%	21.6%
Graduate	22.5%	18.5%	14.1%

Full pageWilliamsburg by the numbersOpen the page

Ages23.7 median age · 18% are 65 or older Schooling46% have a four-year degree Homes53% own their home · Homeowners Income$76K a year · Median household income

U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates

Work & commuteJobs & income grade B

About one in five working residents works right in Williamsburg

11,325 jobs are based in Williamsburg, 2.5 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in. The average commute takes 19.5 minutes, against 27.3 across Virginia.

About one in 5 of Williamsburg’s working residents works in town. 19% of Williamsburg residents live below the poverty line. The top destinations are Newport News (9%), Norfolk (4%) and Virginia Beach (4%).

21%work in town

	Williamsburg	Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Below the poverty line	19%	7.7%	9.6%
Working residents who work in town	21%	4.8%	8%
Average trip to work	20 minutes	27 minutes	25 minutes
Work from home	18%	17%	11%

Where working residents work

In Williamsburg21%

Newport News9%

Norfolk4%

Virginia Beach4%

Hampton3%

14 mi

median commute distance

11,325

jobs based in Williamsburg

A job hub

jobs vs. working residents

A+

Walkability grade: more walkable than 95% of U.S. towns

Full pageWilliamsburg’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here11,325 jobs based here · A job hub Where people work21% work in Williamsburg Commute times20 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 14 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A

Inland flooding leads a very low hazard risk in Williamsburg

Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 90% of U.S. communities. Since 1979, 13 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Williamsburg.

10risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland floodingHurricanesTornadoes

paid flood claims since 1979

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageWilliamsburg’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesVery low risk Flood claims13 paid flood claims · Since 1979 Past disasters4 federal disasters · Paid out in Williamsburg Get ready0.1 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

HealthA⁻

For health, Williamsburg earns an A−

Williamsburg beats the Virginia average on 11 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 4. Only 8 of the 253 Virginia towns we compare have a higher share of adults who feel lonely than Williamsburg.

77%healthier than U.S. townsA⁻Health Grade

	Williamsburg	Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Feel lonely (CDC PLACES)	39%	34%	33%
Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES)	19%	16%	17%
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)	29%	33%	35%
Diabetes (CDC PLACES)	8.9%	11%	12%

32 measures vs. Virginia

11 better17 too close to call4 worse

What stands out	Williamsburg	VA
Fewer adults with diabetes	8.9%	12.5%
Fewer adults with arthritis	19.6%	26.2%
More adults without reliable transportation	10.1%	7.4%

Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center

2.8 mi away · emergency room

3 of 3

care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

54th

percentile among VA towns

Full pageWilliamsburg’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsFewer smokers Hospitals & doctors nearby2.8 miles to an ER · Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center How adults are doingMore adults in frequent mental distress Every CDC estimateBetter than VA on 11 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Climate

Williamsburg has mild winters and hot summers

Williamsburg has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. Williamsburg’s July high is 89°F.

4″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter31–52°

Spring47–69°

Summer67–87°

Fall51–71°

Nov 10

typical first frost

Mar 31

typical last frost

+1.3°

vs. the 20th-century average

Full pageWilliamsburg’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 89°, January lows 30°Rain & snow4″ of snow a winter · 49 inches of rain and snow a year Heating & coolingBoth heating and cooling Then and now+1.3° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

HousingCost of living grade C

Homes in Williamsburg are worth about $469K, by Zillow’s estimate

63.3% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, against 48.5% across Virginia.

The typical Williamsburg home is worth about $469,000, up 2.1% in a year, 14% above the Virginia typical home. The median rent in Williamsburg is $1,407 a month.

$469KZillow home value

	Williamsburg	Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Households that own their home	53%	68%	73%
Median rent	$1,407 a month	$1,764 a month	$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Williamsburg$469K

Virginia$412K

Market temperature

days on market

101.4%

sale-to-list price

+2.1%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in May

Full pageWilliamsburg’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 2.1% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 6.2 years of income Rents$1,407 a month · Median rent

Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

SafetyB⁻

More crime per resident in Williamsburg than in 55% of U.S. towns

Reported crimes fell from 265 to 209 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.

Within Virginia, it does better than 65% of towns.

45%of U.S. towns report more crimeB⁻Safety Grade

	Williamsburg	Virginia towns	U.S. towns
Property crimes per 1,000 (2025)	11.2 per 1,000 residents	14.6	9.9
Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025)	1.7 per 1,000 residents	2.3	1.6

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Williamsburg1.7

Virginia2.1

U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Williamsburg11.2

Virginia13.9

U.S.15.5

45th

percentile among U.S. towns we grade

65th

percentile among VA towns

violent crimes reported in 2025

182

property crimes reported in 2025

Full pageWilliamsburg’s safety reportOpen the page

Violent crime by type1.7 violent crimes per 1,000 Crime over the yearsDown since 2023 Questions“Is Williamsburg, VA safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Williamsburg

20pages on Williamsburg

The big questions

SchoolsB⁺Beat 72% of VA districts · 4 schools SafetyB⁻1.7 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA⁻Better than VA on 11 of 32 CDC measures Cost of livingC$469K typical home · up 2.1% in a year Work & commuteB$76K median household income · 11,325 jobs here Natural hazardsAFEMA risk higher than 10% of U.S. communities · inland flooding

Out and about

OutdoorsA28 mi of trails · 18% conserved land PlacesAttractions80 nearby · Colonial Williamsburg under 1 mi LibraryB⁺Williamsburg Library CollegesWilliam & Mary, in town

The story

HistoryB⁺Settled 1638 · 14 on the National Register Famous people51 born in Williamsburg Town Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 80 residents Climate89° summer highs · 4″ of snow

Day to day

News6 recent stories about Williamsburg WeatherHandbookZIP code 23185, 23186, 23187 Town SquareNeighbors

After high school

Colleges nearby

1 within 15 miles of the center of Williamsburg

William & MaryUniversity or college · Public · WilliamsburgIn town$25,914 in-state tuition

College town 41 of every 100 Williamsburg residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across Virginia.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

Get outside

28 miles of trails in Williamsburg

18.3% of the town is conserved land, across 10 parks and preserves.

Map of trails and conserved land in Williamsburg

ConservedTrails

Colonial National Historical Park155 acres

Directions

Redoubt Park86 acres

Quarterpath Park22 acres

Directions

Landmarks

14 places in Williamsburg on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

Williamsburg Historic DistrictNational Historic Landmark

Wren Building, College of William and MaryBuilt 1695 · National Historic Landmark

James Semple HouseBuilt 1770 · National Historic Landmark

Peyton Randolph HouseNational Historic Landmark

Famous people from Williamsburg

51 notable people were born in Williamsburg.

See all 51 →

Edmund RandolphAmerican attorney · 1753–1813

Lawrence TaylorAmerican football player · born 1959

Bruce HornsbyAmerican musician · born 1954

Peyton RandolphPresident of the first Continental Congress · 1721–1775

John Blair Jr.American politician, Founding Father and jurist · 1732–1800

Richard CokeAmerican politician · 1829–1897

About Williamsburg

City and former capital in Virginia, US

Official town website ↗

Williamsburg is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. It had a population of 15,425 at the 2020 census. Located on the Virginia Peninsula, Williamsburg is in the northern part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It is bordered by James City County on the west and south and York County on the east. In 1632, English settlers founded Middle Plantation as a fortified settlement on high ground between the James and York rivers and farther inland than their headquarters at Jamestown. The city of Williamsburg was established at the site of Middle Plantation in 1699. It functioned as the capital of the Colony and Commonwealth of Virginia from 1699 to 1780 and became the center of p…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1638
Area: 9.2 sq mi
Elevation: 49 ft
ZIP code: 23185, 23186, 23187
Area code: 757

Questions about Williamsburg

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Williamsburg, VA a good place to live?

By most measures, yes. Williamsburg grades B+ overall, better than 71% of U.S. towns and #126 of 249 in Virginia. It grades A− for health, B− for safety and B+ for schools.

Is Williamsburg, VA safe?