The Town FilesAshland, Virginia
Town in Hanover County · population 7,565 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $293,200
- Household income
- $61,164
- Jan low / Jul high
- 27° / 87°
- Snow a year
- 15 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 10
- Median age
- 30.6
Ashland is a town of 7,565 people in Hanover County, Virginia. The median home is worth $293,200, close to the typical Virginia town ($298,050). It ranks hipper than 93% of Virginia towns, better for young professionals than 88% of Virginia towns, better for cycling than 88% of Virginia towns.
How Ashland ranks
Percentile among Virginia towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Virginia towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Ashland is worth $293,200, close to the typical Virginia town ($298,050). Homes cost about 4.8 times the median household income of $61,164, which is more affordable than 19% of Virginia towns. Median rent is $1,229 a month. 55.8% of households own their home.
| Housing | Ashland | Typical Virginia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $293,200 | $298,050 |
| Median rent | $1,229 | $1,254 |
| Median household income | $61,164 | $78,595 |
| Home value ÷ income | 4.8× | 3.8× |
| Homeownership | 55.8% | 69.2% |
| Median year built | 1983 | 1980 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 1.0% | — |
Who lives in Ashland
| People | Ashland | Typical Virginia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.6 | 39.8 |
| Age 65 and over | 18.1% | 17.3% |
| Under 18 | 17.4% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.0% | 31.2% |
| Below the poverty line | 24.3% | 8.8% |
| Veterans | 4.6% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 7.2% | — |
| Work from home | 14.3% | 12.8% |
| Average commute | 22.5 min | 26.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 94.1% | 91.8% |
Weather in Ashland
July highs average 86.7°F and January lows 27.2°F. About 45.3 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 14.7 inches of snow (typical Virginia town: 13.4 in). Expect about 25 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 89 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
10 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Ashland since 1950, compared with 11 for the typical Virginia town. 2 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F3, struck on April 1, 1998 about 8.8 miles from the town center and killed 2. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 2 deaths and 1 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on September 17, 2018.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 48 times; the largest was 2.50 inches on July 9, 1977.
Severe weather in Hanover County since 1996
Hanover County has been included in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3631: Severe Winter Storm |
| March 11, 2022 | Severe Storm | DR-4644: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm |
| May 10, 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-4602: Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2, 2020 | Biological | DR-4512: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3448: Covid-19 |
Jobs and pay in Hanover County
Hanover County had 59,513 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $55,746 a year. Unemployment was 2.5% in 2023; in Ashland itself the ACS puts it at 4.9%.
Public schools in Ashland
5 public schools with 3,284 students, about 13.2 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Henry High | 9-12 | 1,330 | 14.6 |
| Liberty Middle | 6-8 | 917 | 12.7 |
| Elmont Elementary | PK-5 | 371 | 12.0 |
| Henry Clay Elementary | PK-2 | 359 | 12.8 |
| John M. Gandy Elementary | 3-5 | 307 | 11.8 |
Towns near Ashland
- Glen Allen, VA6.6 mi · 16,187 people · home $357,200
- Laurel, VA8.8 mi · 17,769 people · home $283,600
- Wyndham, VA8.9 mi · 11,087 people · home $703,000
- Innsbrook, VA9.3 mi · 8,998 people · home $463,500
- Chamberlayne, VA9.5 mi · 5,581 people · home $351,100
- Lakeside, VA10.2 mi · 12,203 people · home $288,200
- Dumbarton, VA10.4 mi · 8,506 people · home $291,300
- Short Pump, VA10.8 mi · 30,626 people · home $568,900
Ashland questions
Is Ashland, Virginia a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Ashland scores better for retirees than 37% of Virginia towns and quieter than 40%. 18.1% of residents are 65 or older (median age 30.6).
How much does a house cost in Ashland?
The median owner-occupied home in Ashland is valued at $293,200 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $61,164, so homes cost about 4.8 times income. Median rent is $1,229 a month.
What is the weather like in Ashland?
July highs average 86.7°F and January lows 27.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 45.3 inches of precipitation a year and 14.7 inches of snow.
Does Ashland get tornadoes?
10 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Ashland since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F3 on April 1, 1998. The typical Virginia town has had 11.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)