Williamsburg

Williamsburg, VA

The first municipality in Virginia, Williamsburg was founded in 1632, or more than 100 years before the country in which it now sits.  Known as Virginia’s colonial capital, the modern-day city of Williamsburg is a thriving community that attracts millions of tourists to explore its shops, amenities, and, of course, the world’s largest living history museum: Colonial Williamsburg.  The city is also home to William & Mary, a premier public ivy research university widely recognized for its exceptional academic reputation.

Industry Highlights

Written about in the pages of every American history book, Williamsburg is an international tourism destination; Colonial Williamsburg alone sells more than 500,000 tickets each year.  The reputation and academic excellence that William & Mary is known for also attracts businesses looking to recruit talented graduates in a variety of fields.

Quality of Life

Williamsburg is known as “the smallest city with the biggest international address.”  A recent survey found that 88% Williamsburg residents rated their overall quality of life as either good or excellent, and 90% regard the city as a good or excellent place to live.

Industry Employment Breakdown

Industry

# of Employees

% of Workforce

Industry

Accommodation and Food Services

# of Employees

2,581

% of Workforce

20.3%

Industry

Health Care and Social Assistance

# of Employees

1,357

% of Workforce

10.7%

Industry

Retail Trade

# of Employees

1,130

% of Workforce

8.9%

Industry

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

# of Employees

1,054

% of Workforce

8.3%

Industry

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

# of Employees

634

% of Workforce

5.0%

Source: EMSI

Demographics

Population

Population

15,259

Median Age

Median Age

24.9

Labor Force

Labor Force

6,463

Unemployment Rate

Unemployment Rate

8.2%

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$57,500

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, November 2021; ESRI Business Analyst Online, 2024 Forecast; ESRI Business Analyst Online 2021 Detailed Age Profile; Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), 2021 Forecast

Key Companies

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

National Center for State Courts

City of Williamsburg

William & Mary

Sodexo

City of Williamsburg Economic Development

Ms. Yuri Adams, Director