Signals
Glen Allen
Chester
Opportunity
56 · Top 50%
vs54 · Bottom 45%
Climate
75 · Top 28%
vs75 · Top 28%
Physical resilience
85 · Top 17%
vs76 · Top 30%
Housing affordability
78 · Bottom 46%
vs90 · Top 32%
Schools
57 · Top 42%
vs32 · Bottom 24%
Access
94 · Top 42%
vs93 · Top 46%
Economic stability
81 · Top 6%
vs67 · Top 35%
Measured values
| Metric | Glen Allen | Chester | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,551 | 24,474 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $92,723 | $95,104 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $43,733 | $41,686 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,995/sq mi | 1,860/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $357,200 | $327,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,804 | $1,603 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 75.9% | 71.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% | 3.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.1% | -2.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45.8% | 33.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 3.6% | 8.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 89°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 28°F | 29°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 45.8" | 45.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 14 mi | 12 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.9 min | 28.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.1 | 38.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 20 | 8 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 16.79 | 12.59 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 62.6% | 35.1% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 71.0% | 55.2% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 35.5% | 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
Glen Allen
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, drought.
Chester
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Glen Allen
75
Your Score
—
Area Score
Chester
69
Your Score
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Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Glen Allen, VA · Chester, VA · How this is calculated: methodology