Dumfries 84 Exceptional
Dumfries Livability #32 ranked city in Virginia#789 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Pros and Cons of Living in Dumfries

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    There are no cons identified for this area, as none of the categories received a poor score.

What's it like Living in Dumfries?

Located in the state of Virginia, Dumfries is a small-sized city with a population of 5,715 people. In Dumfries, there are 3,723 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Individuals of White (43%) and Black or African American (33%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Dumfries are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 36% of the population also speak Spanish. With an average age of 29 years old, Dumfries could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Dumfries, only 44% of the population is married. Something to be aware of when living in Dumfries are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 40 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Dumfries could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Virginia if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Dumfries and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Virginia and national averages.

With a livability score of 81/100, Dumfries is ranked #1,158 in the United States and #46 in Virginia. Compared to the national average, Dumfries ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Dumfries also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! Based on the rankings for each individual category, Dumfries has received high marks for crime (B-), education (B), employment (B) and housing (A+).

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Dumfries shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 134 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

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 Dumfries, the average school test scores reached an impressive 79%, 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 Dumfries an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Dumfries apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Dumfries is actually affordable. The median home price for Dumfries homes is $380,511, which is 12.5% lower than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Dumfries, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 15.6% lower than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Dumfries

See all the best places to live around Dumfries

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Compare Dumfries, VA Livability

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      Dumfries transportation information

      Statistic Dumfries Virginia National
      Average one way commute40min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.7%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.3%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.9%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.1%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home0.0%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Dumfries, 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.