Signals
Lakeside
Chester
Opportunity
51 · Bottom 39%
vs54 · Bottom 45%
Climate
75 · Top 28%
vs75 · Top 28%
Physical resilience
85 · Top 16%
vs76 · Top 30%
Housing affordability
78 · Bottom 46%
vs90 · Top 32%
Access
96 · Top 32%
vs93 · Top 46%
Economic stability
67 · Top 35%
vs67 · Top 35%
Measured values
| Metric | Lakeside | Chester | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,654 | 24,474 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $72,032 | $95,104 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,677 | $41,686 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,926/sq mi | 1,860/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $288,200 | $327,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,361 | $1,603 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 65.2% | 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 | 39.5% | 33.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 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 | 11 mi | 12 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.6 min | 28.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38.7 | 2024 ACS 5-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
Lakeside
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Chester
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Lakeside, VA · Chester, VA · How this is calculated: methodology