Staunton, Virginia Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Staunton, Virginia is located in the Shenandoah Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, allowing for a wide variety of outdoor activities year-round. The city was founded in 1747 by William Beverley and named after Lady Rebecca Staunton, wife of the Earl of Dunmore. Staunton has been a political center since its founding and has served as both a state capital and county seat throughout its history. The economy is primarily driven by tourism, education, and manufacturing. In addition to being home to several universities and colleges, Staunton is also home to many public schools including Robert E. Lee High School, whose alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Styron.

Staunton is filled with historical landmarks such as the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, which houses memorabilia from the 28th President’s time in office. Other notable landmarks include the historic Stonewall Jackson Hotel, built in 1924; Gypsy Hill Park; Blackfriars Playhouse; American Shakespeare Center; Frontier Culture Museum; and Mary Baldwin University’s Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences. Each year visitors flock to Staunton for its numerous festivals including the Heifetz International Music Festival at Mary Baldwin University, which brings world-class musicians to town every summer for concerts and classes. The annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival is also held in Staunton each June showcasing classical music from around the world.

Population: 23,853. Estimated population in July 2024: 23,337 (-2.2% change)
Males: 11,237 (47.1%), Females: 12,616 (52.9%)

Zip codes: 24401.

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.8 years
Median household income: $32,941
Median house value: $87,500

Population by Race

Races in Staunton:

  • White Non-Hispanic (82.7%)
  • Black (14.0%)
  • Two or more races (1.6%)
  • Hispanic (1.1%)
  • American Indian (0.6%)
  • Other race (0.5%)

Ancestries: United States (18.2%), German (13.9%), English (10.0%), Irish (9.0%), Scotch-Irish (5.7%), Italian (2.9%).

Elevation: 1402 feet

Land area: 19.7 square miles

Population by Education

Staunton, Virginia is a small city located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It has a population of approximately 24,000 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. The population is diverse and includes people from many different backgrounds and cultures. The majority of the population is Caucasian, but there are also African American and Hispanic communities as well. The median age in Staunton is 40 years old and the median household income is just over $45,000. Staunton has a low unemployment rate compared to other cities in Virginia. Education levels are high with nearly 90% of adults having some form of higher education. Staunton also has a large number of military veterans due to its proximity to Fort Lee and other military installations in the area. There are many parks and recreational activities available for residents to enjoy, including hiking trails, fishing spots, and golf courses. There are also plenty of cultural activities such as museums, galleries, concerts and theatre performances for locals to take part in year-round. Overall, Staunton is an ideal place for people looking for a small town atmosphere with plenty of attractions nearby.

For population 25 years and over in Staunton

  • High school or higher: 75.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.4%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 8.0%
  • Unemployed: 3.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 19.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Staunton city

  • Never married: 25.0%
  • Now married: 49.3%
  • Separated: 4.0%
  • Widowed: 10.8%
  • Divorced: 11.0%

2.0% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -807 (-3.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers in Staunton:

  • WESTERN STATE HOSP (PO BOX 2500)
  • WESTERN STATE HOSPITAL (PO BOX 2500)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Staunton:

  • AUGUSTA MEDICAL CENTER (about 8 miles; FISHERSVILLE, VA)
  • WOODROW WILSON REHABILITATION CENTER (about 8 miles; FISHERSVILLE, VA)
  • ROCKINGHAM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; HARRISONBURG, VA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Staunton:

  • SHENANDOAH VALLEY REGIONAL (about 15 miles; STAUNTON/WAYNESBORO/HARRIS, VA; Abbreviation: SHD)
  • CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE (about 44 miles; CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA; Abbreviation: CHO)
  • LYNCHBURG REGIONAL/PRESTON GLENN FLD (about 59 miles; LYNCHBURG, VA; Abbreviation: LYH)

Other public-use airports nearest to Staunton:

  • EAGLE’S NEST (about 12 miles; WAYNESBORO, VA; Abbreviation: W13)
  • BRIDGEWATER AIR PARK (about 17 miles; BRIDGEWATER, VA; Abbreviation: VBW)
  • NEW MARKET (about 43 miles; NEW MARKET, VA; Abbreviation: 8W2)

Amtrak station:
STAUNTON (1 MIDDLEBROOK AVE.). Services: enclosed waiting area, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service, intercity bus service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Staunton:

  • MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 1,195; Location: NEW & FREDERICK ST; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.mbc.edu; Offers Master’s degree)
  • STAUNTON SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 20; Location: 128 E BEVERLEY ST; Private, for-profit)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Staunton:

  • JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY (about 24 miles; HARRISONBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 14,447)
  • WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY (about 38 miles; LEXINGTON, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,063)
  • UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA-MAIN CAMPUS (about 39 miles; CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA; Full-time enrollment: 19,602)
  • PIEDMONT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 43 miles; CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,012)
  • LIBERTY UNIVERSITY (about 56 miles; LYNCHBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 5,348)
  • LONGWOOD COLLEGE (about 76 miles; FARMVILLE, VA; Full-time enrollment: 3,557)
  • LORD FAIRFAX COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 81 miles; MIDDLETOWN, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,064)

Schools

Public high schools in Staunton:

  • ROBERT E. LEE HIGH (Students: 820; Location: 1200 N COALTER ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • RIVERHEADS HIGH (Students: 495; Location: 19 HOWARDSVILLE RD; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high schools in Staunton:

  • GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 185; Location: 19 S MARKET ST; Grades: KG – 12)
  • STUART HALL (Students: 131; Location: 235 W FREDERICK ST BOX 210; Grades: 6 – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Staunton:

  • BEVERLEY MANOR MIDDLE (Students: 842; Location: 58 CEDAR GREEN RD; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • SHELBURNE MIDDLE (Students: 644; Location: 300 GRUBERT AVE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • RIVERHEADS ELEM. (Students: 530; Location: 17 HOWARDSVILLE RD; Grades: KG – 05)
  • THOMAS W. DIXON ELEM. (Students: 385; Location: 1751 SCHUTTERLEE MILL RD; Grades: KG – 05)
  • BEVERLEY MANOR ELEM. (Students: 316; Location: 116 CEDAR GREEN RD; Grades: KG – 05)
  • A. R. WARE, JR. ELEM. (Students: 314; Location: 330 GRUBERT AVE; Grades: KG – 05)
  • THOMAS C. MCSWAIN ELEM. (Students: 284; Location: 1101 N COALTER ST; Grades: KG – 05)
  • BESSIE WELLER ELEM. (Students: 237; Location: 600 GREENVILLE AVE; Grades: KG – 05)
  • VIRGINIA SCHOOL FOR DEAF (Students: 101; Location: EAST BEVERLEY STREET; Grades: PK – 12)
  • VIRGINIA SCHOOL FOR BLIND (Students: 27; Location: EAST BEVERLEY STREET; Grades: PK – 12)

Private primary/middle schools in Staunton:

  • C F RICHARDS JR ACADEMY (Students: 68; Location: 414 STERLING STREET; Grades: KG – 10)
  • STAUNTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL (Students: 25; Location: PO BOX 722; Grades: PK – KG)

Libraries

Library in Staunton:

  • STAUNTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $974,576; Location: 1 CHURCHVILLE AVENUE; 150,980 books; 10,256 audio materials; 6,109 video materials; 252 serial subscriptions)