Market rankings · Virginia
Gyms in Virginia
Every metro area, small-town market and county in Virginia, ranked by the Groundwork market score for gyms, with competitor counts and household spending for each.
- Listings
- 2,334
- 783 chain locations (34%)
- Official establishments
- 1,220
- All fitness and recreational sports centers · +9.6% since 2019
- Household spending a year
- $3.2B
- On memberships, classes and admissions
- Listings per 10k households
- 6.9
- 9% below the U.S.
- Spending per listing
- $1.4M
- 6% above the U.S.
- Rank among states
- #18 of 51
- Market score 54 · Upper middle
A site report maps the gyms on map listings around any address in Virginia by name and distance, and the spending within reach.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
There are 2,334 gyms on map listings in Virginia as of September 2026. 783 of them (34%) are chain locations, against 28% across the U.S. Per 10,000 households, that is 6.9, 9% below the U.S. rate of 7.6.
Households in Virginia spend about $3.2B a year on memberships, classes and admissions, or $960 per household, 2% below the U.S. average. That is about $1.4M of household spending for each gym on map listings, 6% above the U.S. figure of $1.3M. The spending figure covers all memberships, classes and admissions, not only gyms.
In 2023, official counts showed 1,220 businesses with payroll in Virginia classed as fitness and recreational sports centers, up 9.6% from 2019. That is one for every 2,759 households, against one for every 3,109 across the U.S. Across the U.S., the count rose 5.8% over the same years. That count covers all fitness and recreational sports centers (yoga, Pilates and fitness studios included), not only gyms. Since fiscal 2022, 127 SBA-backed loans worth $62.8M have gone to businesses classed as fitness and recreational sports centers in Virginia.
Among the 50 states and DC, Virginia ranks #18 for gyms, with a Groundwork market score of 54 (upper middle). Of the 11 scored metro areas in or partly in Virginia, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area scores highest (66). Of the 4 scored small-town markets in or partly in Virginia, the Lake of the Woods area scores highest (87).
Every market in Virginia for gyms
Download the ranking (CSV)Numbered by Groundwork market score among the markets based in Virginia, highest first; the U.S. rank compares each market with every other of its kind. A metro area that crosses a state line is listed in each state it reaches, and numbered only in the state its page is under. How the score works.
Metro areas
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 66 | 1,732 | 7.3 | $1.7M | +3.3% | #59 of 387 |
| 1Richmond, VA | 60 | 334 | 6.3 | $1.4M | +5.5% | #102 of 387 |
| 2Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | 52 | 26 | 5.0 | $1.3M | +3.2% | #169 of 387 |
| 3Winchester, VA-WV | 52 | 42 | 7.6 | $1.1M | +6.5% | #174 of 387 |
| 4Harrisonburg, VA | 48 | 30 | 6.0 | $1.2M | +3.5% | #212 of 387 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 46 | 68 | 5.2 | $1.1M | +2.3% | #235 of 387 |
| 5Charlottesville, VA | 43 | 76 | 8.4 | $1.1M | +3.1% | #261 of 387 |
| 6Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 40 | 506 | 7.2 | $1.1M | +0.9% | #278 of 387 |
| 7Lynchburg, VA | 32 | 68 | 6.6 | $985K | +2.9% | #341 of 387 |
| 8Roanoke, VA | 29 | 86 | 6.5 | $1M | +0.4% | #350 of 387 |
| 9Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 28 | 46 | 6.5 | $1M | −0.1% | #358 of 387 |
Small-town markets
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Lake of the Woods, VA | 87 | 5 | 3.4 | $2.6M | +10.1% | #7 of 506 |
| 2Martinsville, VA | 61 | 5 | 1.9 | $2.6M | −1.9% | #129 of 506 |
| 3Danville, VA | 40 | 22 | 5.0 | $1M | −1.7% | #355 of 506 |
| Bluefield, WV-VA | 35 | 25 | 6.2 | $832K | −3.8% | #410 of 506 |
Counties
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Powhatan County, VA | 90 | 5 | 4.4 | $2.3M | +7.0% | #11 of 1,792 |
| 2New Kent County, VA | 90 | 6 | 6.5 | $1.6M | +21.2% | #16 of 1,792 |
| 3Spotsylvania County, VA | 89 | 33 | 6.3 | $1.7M | +10.5% | #20 of 1,792 |
| 4Orange County, VA | 86 | 5 | 3.4 | $2.6M | +10.1% | #29 of 1,792 |
| 5Isle of Wight County, VA | 85 | 5 | 3.2 | $2.8M | +6.7% | #32 of 1,792 |
| 6Rockingham County, VA | 83 | 12 | 3.7 | $2.1M | +6.6% | #44 of 1,792 |
| 7Stafford County, VA | 81 | 27 | 5.2 | $2.5M | +8.3% | #54 of 1,792 |
| 8Frederick County, VA | 81 | 16 | 4.5 | $2.1M | +8.8% | #56 of 1,792 |
| 9Louisa County, VA | 80 | 5 | 3.2 | $2.5M | +13.6% | #63 of 1,792 |
| 10Suffolk city, VA | 80 | 18 | 4.7 | $1.8M | +10.4% | #67 of 1,792 |
| 11Bedford County, VA | 74 | 16 | 4.8 | $1.6M | +4.4% | #150 of 1,792 |
| 12Augusta County, VA | 73 | 12 | 3.9 | $1.8M | +1.8% | #162 of 1,792 |
| 13Prince George County, VA | 72 | 5 | 3.9 | $2M | +2.0% | #178 of 1,792 |
| 14Chesterfield County, VA | 72 | 81 | 5.8 | $1.7M | +8.7% | #180 of 1,792 |
| 15Prince William County, VA | 71 | 111 | 7.1 | $1.8M | +4.2% | #201 of 1,792 |
| 16Fauquier County, VA | 71 | 23 | 8.6 | $1.4M | +4.8% | #210 of 1,792 |
| 17Fluvanna County, VA | 71 | 7 | 6.8 | $1.3M | +6.2% | #214 of 1,792 |
| 18Loudoun County, VA | 69 | 138 | 9.6 | $1.7M | +6.4% | #242 of 1,792 |
| 19Culpeper County, VA | 65 | 11 | 5.8 | $1.6M | +9.3% | #354 of 1,792 |
| 20Albemarle County, VA | 65 | 31 | 6.8 | $1.5M | +5.1% | #355 of 1,792 |
| 21Warren County, VA | 65 | 10 | 6.5 | $1.3M | +4.8% | #370 of 1,792 |
| 22Fairfax County, VA | 64 | 326 | 7.9 | $1.8M | +1.7% | #382 of 1,792 |
| 23King William County, VA | 64 | 5 | 6.8 | $1.2M | +9.5% | #405 of 1,792 |
| 24King George County, VA | 64 | 11 | 10.9 | $975K | +10.5% | #409 of 1,792 |
| 25Shenandoah County, VA | 63 | 8 | 4.5 | $1.5M | +3.6% | #421 of 1,792 |
Show all 133 counties
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26Caroline County, VA | 62 | 9 | 7.5 | $1.1M | +11.3% | #472 of 1,792 |
| 27Franklin County, VA | 61 | 10 | 4.3 | $1.6M | +1.9% | #479 of 1,792 |
| 28Arlington County, VA | 60 | 98 | 8.7 | $1.6M | +2.1% | #513 of 1,792 |
| 29York County, VA | 60 | 20 | 7.4 | $1.4M | +1.6% | #517 of 1,792 |
| 30Portsmouth city, VA | 59 | 16 | 4.0 | $1.4M | −1.2% | #556 of 1,792 |
| 31Manassas city, VA | 58 | 11 | 7.7 | $1.4M | +3.9% | #601 of 1,792 |
| 32James City County, VA | 57 | 26 | 8.1 | $1.3M | +6.2% | #651 of 1,792 |
| 33Chesapeake city, VA | 56 | 71 | 7.6 | $1.2M | +2.3% | #691 of 1,792 |
| 34Hanover County, VA | 55 | 40 | 9.4 | $1.1M | +5.6% | #734 of 1,792 |
| 35Henrico County, VA | 54 | 90 | 6.6 | $1.4M | +2.3% | #752 of 1,792 |
| 36Pittsylvania County, VA | 53 | 5 | 2.0 | $2.6M | −1.5% | #781 of 1,792 |
| 37Washington County, VA | 53 | 11 | 5.0 | $1.3M | 0.0% | #800 of 1,792 |
| 38Fairfax city, VA | 52 | 12 | 13.1 | $1M | +10.8% | #855 of 1,792 |
| 39Alexandria city, VA | 51 | 70 | 9.2 | $1.3M | +1.0% | #871 of 1,792 |
| 40Campbell County, VA | 48 | 10 | 4.5 | $1.3M | +0.1% | #975 of 1,792 |
| 41Hampton city, VA | 47 | 31 | 5.3 | $1.2M | 0.0% | #1,021 of 1,792 |
| 42Gloucester County, VA | 46 | 10 | 6.5 | $1.2M | +3.6% | #1,046 of 1,792 |
| 43Fredericksburg city, VA | 46 | 12 | 10.2 | $895K | +8.6% | #1,073 of 1,792 |
| 44Richmond city, VA | 45 | 85 | 8.1 | $871K | +4.6% | #1,110 of 1,792 |
| 45Nelson County, VA | 44 | 5 | 7.9 | $1M | +1.2% | #1,134 of 1,792 |
| 46Roanoke County, VA | 43 | 28 | 7.0 | $1.1M | +0.2% | #1,156 of 1,792 |
| 47Mecklenburg County, VA | 43 | 8 | 5.9 | $982K | +1.5% | #1,164 of 1,792 |
| 48Colonial Heights city, VA | 40 | 6 | 8.0 | $889K | +3.2% | #1,244 of 1,792 |
| 49Staunton city, VA | 36 | 6 | 5.3 | $1.1M | +3.8% | #1,343 of 1,792 |
| 50Norfolk city, VA | 36 | 61 | 6.4 | $1M | −2.9% | #1,347 of 1,792 |
| 51Falls Church city, VA | 36 | 13 | 20.7 | $705K | +3.3% | #1,364 of 1,792 |
| 52Virginia Beach city, VA | 32 | 176 | 9.8 | $919K | −1.3% | #1,444 of 1,792 |
| 53Wythe County, VA | 31 | 6 | 4.8 | $1.1M | −1.2% | #1,463 of 1,792 |
| 54Pulaski County, VA | 31 | 10 | 6.9 | $872K | −0.6% | #1,472 of 1,792 |
| 55Lancaster County, VA | 30 | 5 | 8.8 | $809K | +0.9% | #1,495 of 1,792 |
| 56Waynesboro city, VA | 30 | 8 | 8.1 | $714K | +7.5% | #1,505 of 1,792 |
| 57Tazewell County, VA | 29 | 10 | 6.1 | $807K | −4.4% | #1,516 of 1,792 |
| 58Montgomery County, VA | 28 | 29 | 7.8 | $975K | −1.2% | #1,528 of 1,792 |
| 59Amherst County, VA | 28 | 10 | 7.9 | $799K | +2.1% | #1,540 of 1,792 |
| 60Salem city, VA | 28 | 15 | 14.6 | $473K | +1.7% | #1,552 of 1,792 |
| 61Newport News city, VA | 25 | 56 | 7.4 | $866K | −1.5% | #1,591 of 1,792 |
| 62Roanoke city, VA | 22 | 29 | 6.7 | $840K | −0.8% | #1,640 of 1,792 |
| 63Lynchburg city, VA | 18 | 30 | 10.5 | $555K | +3.0% | #1,691 of 1,792 |
| 64Nottoway County, VA | 17 | 5 | 8.9 | $615K | +1.0% | #1,703 of 1,792 |
| 65Winchester city, VA | 15 | 22 | 19.1 | $343K | +1.0% | #1,718 of 1,792 |
| 66Charlottesville city, VA | 14 | 31 | 15.6 | $538K | −4.4% | #1,723 of 1,792 |
| 67Russell County, VA | 13 | 7 | 6.6 | $786K | −1.7% | #1,726 of 1,792 |
| 68Danville city, VA | 11 | 17 | 8.9 | $530K | −2.2% | #1,742 of 1,792 |
| 69Smyth County, VA | 9 | 9 | 7.1 | $705K | −3.0% | #1,755 of 1,792 |
| 70Harrisonburg city, VA | 9 | 18 | 10.4 | $599K | −1.7% | #1,759 of 1,792 |
| 71Bristol city, VA | 4 | 6 | 8.3 | $602K | −5.2% | #1,785 of 1,792 |
| 72Wise County, VA | 2 | 19 | 13.7 | $336K | −3.5% | #1,792 of 1,792 |
| Henry County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 1.4 | $3.4M | −3.1% | |
| Botetourt County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | $3.3M | +1.5% | |
| Halifax County, VA | Not scored | 4 | 2.9 | $1.8M | −1.4% | |
| Petersburg city, VA | Not scored | 3 | 2.0 | $2.3M | +1.0% | |
| Accomack County, VA | Not scored | 4 | 2.8 | $2.1M | +1.4% | |
| Carroll County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 2.4 | $2.1M | +0.5% | |
| Dinwiddie County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 1.9 | $3.8M | +3.6% | |
| Goochland County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 2.9 | $4.1M | +17.4% | |
| Page County, VA | Not scored | 4 | 4.0 | $1.3M | +0.3% | |
| Hopewell city, VA | Not scored | 1 | 1.1 | $5.1M | +1.1% | |
| Rockbridge County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 3.1 | $2.1M | 0.0% | |
| Prince Edward County, VA | Not scored | 4 | 5.2 | $1.2M | +2.3% | |
| Lee County, VA | Not scored | 4 | 4.7 | $964K | −2.1% | |
| Scott County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 3.3 | $1.4M | −1.8% | |
| Greene County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 2.5 | $3.5M | +6.6% | |
| Buchanan County, VA | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $3.1M | −8.7% | |
| Westmoreland County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 2.5 | $2.5M | +6.5% | |
| Southampton County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $1.4M | +0.9% | |
| Patrick County, VA | Not scored | 4 | 5.1 | $1.1M | −0.9% | |
| Buckingham County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 3.2 | $1.7M | +1.9% | |
| Manassas Park city, VA | Not scored | 4 | 7.7 | $1.2M | −3.5% | |
| Radford city, VA | Not scored | 3 | 5.4 | $1M | +7.0% | |
| Appomattox County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 3.0 | $2M | +6.3% | |
| Giles County, VA | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $4M | −1.3% | |
| Brunswick County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $1.8M | −0.6% | |
| Williamsburg city, VA | Not scored | 1 | 2.0 | $3.8M | +2.6% | |
| Floyd County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 4.5 | $1.3M | +2.1% | |
| Grayson County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 3.2 | $1.5M | −0.3% | |
| Clarke County, VA | Not scored | 4 | 6.8 | $1.6M | +5.4% | |
| Alleghany County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −4.2% | |
| Madison County, VA | Not scored | 1 | 1.8 | $4.4M | +2.7% | |
| Dickenson County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 3.4 | $1.3M | −6.0% | |
| Martinsville city, VA | Not scored | 2 | 3.5 | $1.5M | +2.8% | |
| Amelia County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +2.7% | |
| Poquoson city, VA | Not scored | 4 | 8.5 | $1.3M | +6.6% | |
| Northumberland County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +6.1% | |
| Northampton County, VA | Not scored | 3 | 5.5 | $1.3M | −2.8% | |
| Lunenburg County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 4.2 | $1.2M | +0.9% | |
| Charlotte County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −1.2% | |
| Greensville County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −1.8% | |
| Middlesex County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 4.2 | $1.7M | +2.2% | |
| Sussex County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 5.3 | $1.1M | −0.4% | |
| Essex County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 4.5 | $1.3M | +0.5% | |
| Cumberland County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +6.9% | |
| Richmond County, VA | Not scored | 1 | 3.1 | $1.9M | +4.2% | |
| Mathews County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 5.0 | $1.5M | +0.1% | |
| Franklin city, VA | Not scored | 2 | 5.8 | $914K | +4.1% | |
| Lexington city, VA | Not scored | 4 | 18.3 | $391K | +6.2% | |
| Rappahannock County, VA | Not scored | 2 | 6.7 | $1.5M | +1.6% | |
| Galax city, VA | Not scored | 3 | 10.9 | $514K | −0.7% | |
| King and Queen County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +2.4% | |
| Charles City County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −1.8% | |
| Buena Vista city, VA | Not scored | 3 | 11.7 | $377K | +0.9% | |
| Surry County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +0.8% | |
| Bland County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −1.7% | |
| Covington city, VA | Not scored | 2 | 7.8 | $481K | −1.2% | |
| Emporia city, VA | Not scored | 3 | 13.9 | $373K | −4.4% | |
| Craig County, VA | Not scored | 1 | 5.8 | $1.2M | −1.6% | |
| Bath County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −2.6% | |
| Norton city, VA | Not scored | 2 | 12.5 | $328K | −5.5% | |
| Highland County, VA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +3.4% |
Markets with fewer than 5 gyms on map listings, and counties under 10,000 people, aren’t scored; they’re listed last in each table.
Questions
How many gyms are in Virginia?
As of September 2026, map listings count 2,334 gyms in Virginia. 783 of them (34%) are chain locations. The listings count gyms and fitness centers. Official counts show 1,220 businesses with payroll classed as fitness and recreational sports centers in 2023, up 9.6% from 2019. The official count takes in all fitness and recreational sports centers, not only gyms: yoga, Pilates and fitness studios are counted too.
How much do households in Virginia spend on memberships, classes and admissions?
About $3.2B a year, or $960 per household. That is 2% below the U.S. average (an index of 98, where 100 is the U.S. average). Spread across the 2,334 gyms on map listings, it comes to $1.4M per gym. That spending covers all memberships, classes and admissions, which gyms share with other businesses in the trade. It is estimated from the incomes of the 3,365,732 households in Virginia and national spending patterns by income.
How does Virginia compare with the U.S. for gyms?
Virginia has 6.9 gyms per 10,000 households, 9% below the U.S. rate of 7.6. Spending per gym is $1.4M, 6% above the U.S. figure of $1.3M. At the U.S. ratio of gyms to household spending, Virginia would have about 2,482, against 2,334 on map listings. There is one business with payroll in the industry for every 2,759 households, against one for every 3,109 across the U.S. The official count rose 9.6% from 2019 to 2023, against +5.8% for the U.S.
Which market in Virginia has the highest market score for gyms?
Among 11 scored metro areas in or partly in Virginia, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area scores highest, at 66 (upper middle). Among 4 scored small-town markets in or partly in Virginia, the Lake of the Woods area scores highest, at 87 (high). Among 72 scored counties in Virginia, Powhatan County scores highest, at 90 (very high). Scores compare each market with others of its kind across the U.S.
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. Virginia scores 54 for gyms (upper middle), #18 of the 50 states and DC.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Virginia. It maps the gyms on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
Gyms in other states
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Top markets for gyms across the U.S. · All business types in Virginia
Related business types in Virginia
- Gyms, studios and classes4,788 listings
- Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios781 listings
- Martial arts and dance studios1,673 listings
Screening a site or an acquisition in Virginia?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.