Stafford Apartments and Rentals

Halfway between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia, the Stafford County administrative center of Stafford offers a historic, rural living environment with plenty of convenience. Marked both by nearby Marine Corps Base Quantico and the legacy of development stretching back to the colonial era, Stafford is an all-American place.

People looking for apartments for rent in Stafford will appreciate the area’s abundance of important historical landmarks as well as its lush outdoor surroundings, quiet living and convenient location.

The Stafford area was one of the first sites of colonial settlement in the 17th century, once the home to famous residents such as Pocahontas, who was kidnapped from the shores of the Potomac, and George Washington, whose boyhood home was along the Rappahannock River. Stafford held particular significance during the Civil War, when both armies used the region for a staging area and clashed in battles at and around Fredericksburg. It took many years for the region to rebound from the war, but the construction of Marine Corps Base Quantico in 1917 and the Stafford court house in 1922 helped revive the area, as did Interstate 95, which connected Stafford to D.C.

Today, the Stafford court house community is home to around 4,500 people. Residents of Stafford apartments can enjoy the calm, historical setting while also benefitting from access to many nearby urban conveniences.

Local students have access to the educational resources of acclaimed University of Mary Washington’s Stafford campus, which provides programs for working professionals. UMW’s main Fredericksburg campus is also easily accessible. Germanna Community College’s Stafford County Center offers a range of workforce education and standard courses as well.

As the county center, Stafford is home to a large number of local government and school system employees, while Stafford Hospital is also a major employer. Insurance company Geico provides many area jobs, as does shipping company McLane Mid-Atlantic. Marine base Quantico helps support the local economy, and many Stafford residents work for the federal government, commuting to Washington, D.C.

Stafford is more affordable than many other Northern Virginia communities, but it is still part of the pricey region surrounding the capital. It’s not hard to find a great apartment, however, and half of Stafford residents choose to rent.

U.S. Census Bureau data showed the median gross rent from 2006 to 2010 was $1,313. Additional research found one bedroom apartments renting for between $900 and $1,650 per month.

The history of Stafford County dates back to 1664 and the area today is full of reminders of its central role in several of the country’s most pivotal periods. Ferry Farm, the boyhood home of George Washington, is in nearby Fredericksburg, while the Fredericksburg National Battlefield and White Oak Civil War Museum remember the area’s significance as a battlefield and staging area during the Civil War. Stafford’s Aquia Church, meanwhile, is one of the oldest colonial churches still in operation.

Residents can also visit Government Island, a historic quarry and archeological site that provided the stone for the construction of the White House and U.S. Capitol building. Today it is a park suited to hiking and wildlife observation. Other great nearby outdoor resources include Prince William Forest, where campers can escape into the backcountry wilderness, and Widewater State Park, which sits along the Potomac River. Several golf courses lie within a short drive, as does plenty of shopping. It’s also easy to head into Washington, D.C., where visitors can take advantage of great museums, art, dining and more.

Rent.com® can help you get settled in a Stafford apartment. Look through our rental listings and find the perfect home for your needs.