CSPDC Receives Virginia Housing Grant for Regional Data Dashboard

The CSPDC has received a $50,000 Capacity Building Implementation Grant from Virginia Housing to develop an interactive regional data dashboard. The grant program supports organizations in enhancing their operations, processes, and resources to better serve their communities.

Developed in partnership with the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the dashboard will build on findings from the Central Shenandoah Regional Housing Study to provide local governments, housing organizations, developers, and other regional partners with timely, accessible demographic, economic, and housing data. Key housing indicators will include housing age and type, occupancy, home values, tenure, and cost burden among renters and homeowners.

Through interactive visualizations, users will be able to compare data across localities and explore connections among income, age, housing tenure, affordability, and other factors.

By putting current, locally relevant information within easy reach, the dashboard will help regional partners better understand housing needs, prioritize investments, and build stronger applications for state and federal funding.

Data collection and analysis are expected to continue through fall 2026, with the dashboard scheduled for completion by early 2027. We look forward to sharing updates as the dashboard takes shape.

New Census Data is Here: 2020-2024 ACS Estimates Released

 

The wait is over for the latest demographic profiles of our region. On January 29, 2026, the U.S. Census Bureau officially released the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. As the “gold standard” for local planning, the ACS provides the most comprehensive look at social, economic, housing, and demographic trends across the country. This latest release is particularly notable as it introduces eight new tables specifically focused on housing and race, offering deeper insights into our community’s makeup. 

The CSPDC serves as a central hub for regional data. This fresh information allows our staff to support city officials, local businesses, and non-profits with precision. These figures are the backbone of critical decisions including determining exactly where funding and services are needed most, planning for affordable housing, and informing disaster preparedness, transportation planning, and agritourism development. 

To make this data accessible, the CSPDC is updating our Facts & Figures reports. These sub-regional reports are easy-to-read snapshots of people, jobs, and schools data. Stay tuned for the official release of these updated sub-regional profiles in the coming weeks.