Study: Happiest Cities in Virginia
Virginia is known for its historic landmarks and its easy access to the U.S. capital, but there's so much more to the Old Dominion state. With all the state parks, summer festivals, and Southern cuisine, folks around here know how to have fun and they're not shy about spreading the good cheer. Take a look at which cities the CreditDonkey team ranked as Virginia's happiest.
Study Methodology
Our study took into account cities both large and small, with populations ranging from right around 4,000 to over 400,000. Each city's ranking was determined by data drawn from U.S. Census information and FBI crime statistics. The final list includes the cities that had the best overall rank based on these seven factors:
- Restaurants
- Crime rate
- Commute
- Departure time
- Income
- Divorce rate
- Housing
When you're happy and you know it, you might want to show it by spending a night out on the town with friends or family. We considered the number of restaurants per capita to see which cities offer the most places to get together.
Virginia has a reputation for being a safe place to live but we know that every city is different. To pinpoint which areas are the most secure, we looked at the odds of being the victim of a violent crime.
One of the best things about escaping the big city is not having to deal with nerve-wracking traffic every day. Our rankings are partially determined by the average commute time in each city.
Hi ho, it's off to work you go and if you're on the move early, studies suggest that you may be a little happier. If you like to get a head start on the day, take a look at what percentage of residents leave for work before 5 a.m. in each city.
Virginia is known for having one of the highest per capita income rates in the country, but residents in certain cities are earning more than others. We measured the median household income to see how these cities compare.
Breaking up is hard to do and if you're happily married, it's probably not something that crosses your mind. We wanted to see how couples in each city are getting along so we looked to see which cities have the lowest percentages of divorced men and women.
The last thing we considered was the percentage of income residents spend on housing to see which cities are the best bargain.
10 Happiest Cities in Virginia
 |
10. Vienna
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 182 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 2,690
- Average commute time: 28.5 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 1.2%
- Median household income: $119,951
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 5.7% of males, 7.7% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 22.5%
Vienna's 16,000 inhabitants will be glad to tell you what makes this bustling little city such a pleasant place to live. Not only is it extremely safe in terms of the violent crime rate, but it's also one of the Washington, D.C., area's more affluent communities. The median household income nearly breaks the $120,000 mark and while home prices are higher, you'll still spend less than a quarter of your pay on housing.
Did You Know: Leading up to the First Battle of Bull Run, Vienna was the site of a major skirmish between Confederate and Union troops.
9. Vinton
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 426 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 228.3
- Average commute time: 19.2 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 8.5%
- Median household income: $43,374
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 10.6% of males, 15.2% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 19.1%
The picturesque little town of Vinton sits just east of the larger city of Roanoke, not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are just over 8,000 people residing in the area and they have many reasons to be satisfied. Housing costs account for just under a fifth of residents' income, which isn't too shabby at over $43,000. The drive into work takes under 20 minutes on average, and as an added plus, they get to enjoy some spectacular views of the Roanoke Valley along the way.
Did You Know: Established in 1948, the Vinton War Memorial pays tribute to soldiers who lost their lives during World War II.
8. Williamsburg
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 172 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 730.2
- Average commute time: 19.3 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 0.8%
- Median household income: $50,865
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 6.1% of males, 6.4% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 23.9%
Williamsburg is the city where history comes to life, and for the 15,000 people who live here, it's a little slice of heaven. There are plenty of places to whet your appetite, whether you're hungry for Asian, French or traditional American comfort foods. When it comes to housing, residents get a rather decent bang for their buck. And getting to work isn't a major drag on your time either.
Did You Know: Williamsburg is home to the College of William & Mary, which counts President Thomas Jefferson and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall among its most famous alumni.
7. Salem
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 329 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 3,154.5
- Average commute time: 17.3 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 2.8%
- Median household income: $47,776
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 9.4% of males, 14.5% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 20.7%
The city of Salem is a cheerful little place just a few miles west of Roanoke. About 25,000 people have put down stakes here, and their degree of satisfaction is evident. Workers only need about 17 minutes on average to make it to their destination, and at the end of the day, they're coming home to some of the safest neighborhoods around. Whether you're hungry for dinner or just in the mood for a cocktail, the Blue Apron Restaurant & Red Rooster Bar has got you covered.
Did You Know: Local history holds that the Salem Flying Artillery fired the last Confederate artillery shot of the war just prior to General Robert E. Lee's surrender.
6. Lexington
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 241 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 7,072
- Average commute time: 16.9 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 3.8%
- Median household income: $36,511
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 1.1% of males, 7.3% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 26.1%
If peace and quiet are the top qualities you desire in a small town, Lexington doesn't disappoint. The 6,700 people who live here enjoy an astoundingly low violent crime rate, and they also boast the lowest divorce rate, at a combined 8.4%. Housing is slightly more expensive, but a 17-minute commute and outstanding restaurants like Pure Eats and the Southern Inn may outweigh the added cost.
Did You Know: Both the Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University are in Lexington.
5. Poquoson
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 637 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 1,213.2
- Average commute time: 21.9 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 2.3%
- Median household income: $85,033
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 6.3% of males, 8.5% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 20.5%
Poquoson climbed to the number five spot thanks to a median income of over $85,000 and an excellent violent crime rate. Homes are a little pricier compared to nearby Hampton, but with only 12,000 residents, it's a trade-off for getting to live in a less-crowded environment. There are a handful of early risers heading out before 5 a.m., and the average commute isn't too grueling for those who travel at later times.
Did You Know: The Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge, which is located in Poquoson, was once used as a bombing range.
4. Falls Church
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 135 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 1,172
- Average commute time: 26.9 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 0.6%
- Median household income: $122,844
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 2.8% of males, 7.9% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 19.3%
Falls Church is an upscale suburban community near the nation's capital, and it's no secret that locals love it here. There are just over 13,000 people living in the city, and they bring in the biggest payday in our study, at more than $122,000. Violent crime is rare, and despite higher median home prices, residents still fork over less than 20% of their income for housing. Falls Church also features the most restaurants per capita, and there's no shortage of unique places to try.
Did You Know: Julia Ward Howe was inspired to write "Battle Hymn of the Republic" after observing a review of troops at nearby Upton Hill.
3. Norton
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 194 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 1,024.8
- Average commute time: 15.8 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 3%
- Median household income: $38,983
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 8.2% of males, 14.6% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 17.4%
Norton is hands-down the smallest city in our rankings, with a little over 4,000 residents. In terms of happiness, size doesn't seem to matter here since it landed in the number three spot. Norton's neighborhoods aren't prone to violent crime, and workers have the luxury of sleeping in a little longer since the average commute takes less than 16 minutes. Incomes are slightly lower, but housing costs aren't a huge burden.
Did You Know: Each year, Norton hosts the Dock Boggs Festival in honor of the local folk music legend of the same name.
2. Bridgewater
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 412 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 1,907.3
- Average commute time: 18.5 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 2.3%
- Median household income: $54,233
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 0.3% of males, 8.3% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 19.4%
Life in Bridgewater moves a little more slowly compared to Harrisburg, its larger neighbor to the north. That doesn't seem to bother the nearly 5,800 people who live here, however, as evidenced by its second-place ranking. It's got all the things you'd want in a small town: an exceptional violent crime rate, moderately priced housing and an average commute that's not too lengthy. The married crowd seems quite content, based on the combined divorce rate of just 8.6%.
Did You Know: Bridgewater College was the first private senior co-ed liberal arts college in Virginia.
1. Bluefield
- Restaurants per capita: 1 per 316 inhabitants
- Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 455.2
- Average commute time: 20.4 minutes
- Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 9%
- Median household income: $45,262
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 2.4% of males, 8.6% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 17.1%
Bluefield gets our top ranking overall, and it also earned the best marks in two separate categories. The city has the highest percentage of residents leaving for work first thing in the morning and the lowest housing costs based on income. Divorce isn't as common as in other cities, and when payday rolls around, residents cash in to the tune of $45,000. At just over 20 minutes, the average commute won't take too big of a bite out of your day.
Did You Know: Bluefield sits along the West Virginia border, adjacent to its sister city of the same name.
If you came across your hometown on our rankings, you're probably tickled pink, but if you didn't, don't despair. Despite their popularity and the numerous opportunities they offer, some of Virginia's largest cities like Richmond and Norfolk were simply overshadowed by the eclectic mix of smaller spots that made our top 10.
The Top 25 Happiest Cities in Virginia
| Rank | City | People per Restaurants and Bars | Violent Crime Odds | Average Commute Time | % Leaving Before 5am | Median Household Income | % Male Divorce1 | % Female Divorce1 | Income Spent on Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bluefield | 315.6 | 1 in 455.2 | 20.4 | 9.0% | $45,262 | 2.4% | 8.6% | 17.1% |
| 2 | Bridgewater | 412.4 | 1 in 1,907.3 | 18.5 | 2.3% | $54,233 | 0.3% | 8.3% | 19.4% |
| 3 | Norton | 193.7 | 1 in 1,024.8 | 15.8 | 3.0% | $38,983 | 8.2% | 14.6% | 17.4% |
| 4 | Falls Church | 135.0 | 1 in 1,172.0 | 26.9 | 0.6% | $122,844 | 2.8% | 7.9% | 19.3% |
| 5 | Poquoson | 636.7 | 1 in 1,213.2 | 21.9 | 2.3% | $85,033 | 6.3% | 8.5% | 20.5% |
| 6 | Lexington | 241.3 | 1 in 7,072.0 | 16.9 | 3.8% | $36,511 | 1.1% | 7.3% | 26.1% |
| 7 | Salem | 328.6 | 1 in 3,154.5 | 17.3 | 2.8% | $47,776 | 9.4% | 14.5% | 20.7% |
| 8 | Williamsburg | 172.4 | 1 in 730.2 | 19.3 | 0.8% | $50,865 | 6.1% | 6.4% | 23.9% |
| 9 | Vinton | 425.9 | 1 in 228.3 | 19.2 | 8.5% | $43,374 | 10.6% | 15.2% | 19.1% |
| 10 | Vienna | 181.9 | 1 in 2,690.0 | 28.5 | 1.2% | $119,951 | 5.7% | 7.7% | 22.5% |
| 11 | Herndon | 209.2 | 1 in 855.9 | 28.4 | 3.4% | $90,661 | 8.6% | 10.1% | 23.8% |
| 12 | Christiansburg | 315.6 | 1 in 708.7 | 19.1 | 2.5% | $50,276 | 11.9% | 16.0% | 20.9% |
| 13 | Abingdon | 199.7 | 1 in 590.9 | 17.2 | 3.6% | $39,113 | 14.1% | 16.7% | 19.7% |
| 14 | Harrisonburg | 331.0 | 1 in 459.3 | 16.1 | 3.4% | $36,853 | 4.3% | 6.0% | 29.3% |
| 15 | Colonial Heights | 221.3 | 1 in 440.8 | 21.8 | 2.8% | $51,612 | 9.3% | 15.1% | 21.4% |
| 16 | Waynesboro | 398.2 | 1 in 307.8 | 19.2 | 3.7% | $43,884 | 7.5% | 14.4% | 22.6% |
| 17 | Smithfield | 338.8 | 1 in 585.5 | 29 | 6.1% | $66,419 | 8.8% | 10.8% | 25.7% |
| 18 | Warrenton | 172.0 | 1 in 447.4 | 31.8 | 6.2% | $68,803 | 10.6% | 16.3% | 21.7% |
| 19 | Culpeper | 332.7 | 1 in 374.4 | 31.4 | 9.3% | $57,873 | 7.6% | 12.3% | 25.9% |
| 20 | Leesburg | 454.8 | 1 in 623.5 | 31.6 | 3.4% | $98,054 | 6.2% | 9.2% | 24.2% |
| 21 | Virginia Beach | 448.4 | 1 in 590.5 | 22.7 | 3.3% | $65,980 | 8.5% | 13.0% | 26.1% |
| 22 | Winchester | 233.7 | 1 in 455.6 | 22.4 | 4.7% | $45,959 | 10.8% | 15.2% | 24.9% |
| 23 | Chesapeake | 588.7 | 1 in 271.2 | 24.4 | 4.0% | $70,244 | 7.9% | 11.8% | 24.9% |
| 24 | Hampton | 657.9 | 1 in 439.2 | 21.7 | 4.1% | $51,584 | 9.8% | 13.2% | 25.8% |
| 25 | Front Royal | 318.8 | 1 in 774.6 | 34.2 | 15.3% | $46,421 | 12.8% | 15.3% | 24.9% |
Rebecca Lake is a journalist at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Rebecca Lake at rebecca@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Read Next:
