Signals
Bon Air
Chester
Opportunity
57 · Top 48%
vs54 · Bottom 45%
Climate
75 · Top 28%
vs75 · Top 28%
Physical resilience
78 · Top 27%
vs76 · Top 30%
Housing affordability
86 · Top 40%
vs90 · Top 32%
Schools
57 · Top 42%
vs32 · Bottom 24%
Access
94 · Top 40%
vs93 · Top 46%
Economic stability
68 · Top 32%
vs67 · Top 35%
Measured values
| Metric | Bon Air | Chester | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,904 | 24,474 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $101,879 | $95,104 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $47,463 | $41,686 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,020/sq mi | 1,860/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $365,200 | $327,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,799 | $1,603 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.7% | 71.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 3.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.1% | -2.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55.2% | 33.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 6.7% | 8.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 90°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 29°F | 29°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 45.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 14 mi | 12 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 26.5 min | 28.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.8 | 38.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 5 | 8 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 14.49 | 12.59 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 63.8% | 35.1% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 61.7% | 55.2% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 70.7% | 75.6% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Bon Air
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Chester
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Bon Air, VA · Chester, VA · How this is calculated: methodology