The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center released its official population estimates for Virginia counties and independent cities this January. The center’s estimates provide an accurate approximation of a locality’s population count on July 1, 2024.
State and local government agencies use this data for funding, planning and budgeting purposes. According to the most recent estimates, the George Washington Regional Commission (Planning District 16), which includes the City of Fredericksburg and counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford has a 2024 population estimate of 407,412.
Compared to the April 1, 2020, census, the region’s population grew by 24,861 people, or 6.5%. Since the 2020 census, Caroline County has experienced the fourth fastest percentage growth rate of cities and counties in Virginia.
From 2020 to 2024, Caroline County added 2,871 people, a 9.3% population increase, behind only New Kent, Goochland and Louisa counties. In contrast, the City of Fredericksburg experienced only a slight population increase of 47 people, or .2%, since the 2020 census.
PD16 ranks fourth in actual population growth with 24,861 new residents since the 2020 census. Only Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Crater regions exceed our population change with population changes of 51,373 and 43,707 and 25,023 respectively.
| April 1, 2010 Census | April 1, 2020 Census | July 1, 2024 Estimate | Since 2020 Numeric Change | Since 2020 % Change | |
| Caroline | 28,545 | 30,887 | 33,758 | 2,871 | 9.3% |
| King George | 23,584 | 26,723 | 28,250 | 1,527 | 5.7% |
| Spotsylvania | 122,397 | 140,032 | 149,920 | 9,888 | 7.1% |
| Stafford | 128,961 | 156,927 | 167,455 | 10,528 | 6.7% |
| Fredericksburg | 24,286 | 27,982 | 28,029 | 47 | .2% |
| PD16 Region | 327,773 | 382,551 | 407,412 | 24,861 | 6.5% |
“The GWRC region once again has the fastest growth rate of any of the 21 planning districts in Virginia,” GWRC Executive Director Chip Boyles said in the release. “Our region continues to monitor and plan for fast-changing commuting and housing patterns occurring from the migration of families from DC, from Northern Virginia and now from the Richmond areas.”
The full 2024 population estimates are available on the Weldon Cooper Center website.
