Virginia Business 20th Anniversary
Facts and figures on Virginia since 1986

READER RESOURCES Related stories: • Reaching a milestone • Agents of change • Economic trends • Fortune list shows toll of time • Shaping 20 years of politics • 20 years of Virginia fact • 20 years of history

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Virginia Business
March 2006

- In 1986, Virginia had the 13th highest population of all 50 states with 5.8 million residents. Today, Virginia has the 12th highest population with about 7.6 million residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

- In 1986, Virginia per-capita personal income was $16,328 a year, ranking it 13th out of the 50 states. Today, Virginia ranks seventh in per capita personal income with an average of $36,629.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Economic Information System

- Virginia had the 42nd lowest unemployment rate in 1986 at 5 percent. Today Virginia has the 47th lowest unemployment rate of all the states, at 3.5 percent.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

- Today, Virginians have the ninth longest commute in the country, taking an average of 25.8 minutes to get to work.
Source: American Community Survey, 2003

- The Virginia public school teacher earned an average of $23,093 a year in 1986, ranking the state 26th in teacher salaries. For the 2004-2005 school year, teachers earned an average of $45,307, putting them 21st in the nation. The national teacher salary average was $47,808 for the 2004-2005 school year.
Source: Virginia Education Association