About Stafford: Workforce & Labor

Labor Fast Facts | Education | Training

Stafford is one of Virginia's fastest growing localities in terms of both jobs and population. The number of jobs created in Stafford between March 2000 and March 2005 was 5,783. This number is an increase of 21.4% or 4.3% annually. The number of Stafford businesses grew 37% between 2000 and 2005, from 1,410 to 1,933.

According to census data, the population grew 51% between 1980 and 1990 from 40,470 to 61,236, and an additional 49% to 92,446, from 1990 to 2000. The average household size of 3.01 persons and median age of 33.1 indicates that Stafford is attracting young, growing families. In addition, 81% of homes in Stafford are owner occupied.

Stafford's labor force is vibrant and versatile. Local employers also draw from an expanded regional labor force. In 2000, the population of the Rappahannock Region was 241,064, with a civilian labor force of 135,028.

Labor Fast Facts

• Stafford's civilian labor force: 61,503 (July 2005); At place employment 29,598 (March 2005).
• Unemployment rate for 2004: 2.5%.
• Average weekly wage per employee: $633
• Virginia is a Right-to Work state, and has the lowest unemployment insurance rate in the nation.
• The rate of new jobs created in Stafford between 2000 & 2005 rose 5.4% annually, exceeding the state average increase of 2.2%*
  
• 2005 population estimate is 118,800.
• The 2005 population in the Rappahannock Region is 300,000 with a civilian labor force of 150,940.

*Source: Center for Public Service, University of Virginia.

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Workforce Development Resources

• Germanna Community College Center for Workforce & Community Education
• Virginia Department of Business Assistance
• Virginia Employment Commission

• Demographics
• Labor Study (2003) - Fredericksburg Regional Alliance
• Taxable Sales Chart

Education & Training

K-12 Education
Stafford County citizens enjoy exceptional educational opportunities through Stafford County Public Schools, which continue to rank among the top in Virginia. In 2003 & 2004 Expansion Magazine ranked Stafford a Gold Medal School District, placing the district among the top 16% in the nation.

All public education students receive instruction in state accredited classrooms, housed in permanent structures. Despite continued growth, the locality's longstanding commitment to education is evidenced by its investment in the public K-12 educational facilities and their professional staff.

• Stafford County Public Schools
• Public Schools Fact Sheet
• Article: Stafford Schools Top Rating

There are several area private schools with campuses available in Stafford.

• Fredericksburg Christian Schools (K-6)
• Holy Cross Academy (K-8)
• St. William of York Catholic Schools (K-8)

Higher Education - Undergraduate & Graduate
The local University of Mary Washington (UMW) was ranked 3rd in the top "Public Liberal Arts Colleges" in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2001. Money magazine ranked UMW as the Best Educational value in Virginia, and 12th in the nation for its high quality education at a reasonable price. UMW's new Stafford campus, the College of Graduate and Professional Studies primarily serves adults pursuing postgraduate degrees. This state-of-the-art facility provides convenient access to the main UMW campus, as well as distance learning from other higher education institutions throughout the state and nation.

Both University of Mary Washington and Germanna Community College offer customized technical training and incentive programs to meet the specific needs of local businesses.

• University of Mary Washington (UMW)
• UMW College of Graduate & Professional Studies
• Germanna Community College (GCC)
• Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC)

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Employee Training & Workforce Development

• GCC Center for Workforce & Community Education: Offers both credit and non-credit courses for professional development and industry specific courses. In addition, they offer on-the-job training and specialized seminars on business issues. Germanna is also affiliated with the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology. The CIT focuses on innovative technology for high tech industries and offers a wide range of assistance to businesses.
• Rappahannock Region Small Business Development Center: Opened in 1992 and offers one-on-one counseling to small businesses on practical business matters such as bookkeeping, accounting, auditing, quality control and business plans. This center is located at the UMW College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
• Stafford Public Schools Career and Technology Programs. Career and technology education is provided at both the high school and middle school levels with over 48 different course offerings, including business education, consumer education, health and medical sciences, plus special program education for the handicapped. These programs provide the necessary training for certification so that students are prepared to enter the job market upon completion of high school.
• UMW College of Graduate and Professional Studies: Offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs designed especially for adults who desire to complete a degree while managing work and a family.
• Virginia Department of Business Assistance: Creates and coordinates free training programs tailored to the specific needs of growing industries.

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