Lorton 84 Exceptional
Lorton Livability #28 ranked city in Virginia#714 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Lorton

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

What's it like Living in Lorton?

Lorton, Virginia is a mid-sized city with a population of 21,505 residents. With a population density of 4,054 people per square mile, Lorton is well above the nation's average density level. Individuals of White (37%) and Black or African American (31%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Lorton entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 35 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Lorton, Virginia could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Lorton, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like commute, health & safety, education, employment and more.

Lorton has a livability score of 82 out of 100 and is ranked #38 in Virginia and #924 in the USA. Clearly, Lorton is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Lorton also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Lorton ranks well for crime (A), education (A+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Lorton, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: cost of living (F).

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Lorton, the average school test scores reached an impressive 84%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Lorton an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Lorton excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Lorton is real estate affordability. The median home price for Lorton homes is $818,376, which is 88.2% higher than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lorton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 13.3% higher than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lorton

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Compare Lorton, VA Livability

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      Lorton transportation information

      Statistic Lorton Virginia National
      Average one way commute35min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work58.7%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.8%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit11.0%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.6%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home11.2%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Lorton, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.