Virginia.Careers.org
Fast Facts: The “Old Dominion State” saw more Civil War battles fought on its soil than any other state. The capital city of Richmond, together with Falls Church, are Virginia’s leading financial centers.
Virginia Careers: The 2008 U.S. Census data estimated Virginia’s population at nearly 8 million, and Virginia was recently crowned the #1 “Best State for Business” by Forbes magazine.
Virginia Career Education: Virginia ranked 12th in a 2009 K-12 “Academic Achievement” study by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce.
Virginia Economy: Traditionally known for tobacco, Virginia is now home to a significant computer technology center along with the U.S. Pentagon.
For details and sources, click the “Career Information” tab below.
Virginia Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location…: Located on the Atlantic Coast of the southern United States, Virginia is shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, which are home to much of the state’s wildlife.
Cities: The capital city is Richmond, which along with Falls Church serve as the most important financial centers in Virginia.
Behind the Name: Virginia’s nickname is the “Old Dominion” and the “Mother of Presidents.”
A Closer Look: Virginia was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and joined the Confederacy in the American Civil War, during which the state of West Virginia separated.
Did You Know? During the Civil War, Virginia saw more battles fought on its soil than any other state.
Virginia Careers and Employment:
Population: 7,769,089 (9.7% increase since 2000) – 50.9% Female, 49.1% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 1st in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) retail trade; (2) health care and social assistance; (3) manufacturing; (4) professional, scientific and technical services; and (5) accommodation and food services.
Taxes: Income Tax, 2.0% to 5.75%% and Sales Tax, 5% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 100.6 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 18th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 34.48; Apr: 54.30; July: 75.10; Oct: 55.76 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 12th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Virginia Economics:
In General: While tobacco was once the basis of Virginia’s economy, the state has since diversified to include agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and even fishing.
Service Industry: The community, business and personal services group is the most valuable services industry in Virginia.
Agriculture: The state’s most valuable current source of agricultural income is livestock and livestock products. Broilers (5-12 week-old chickens) are the state’s most important agricultural product followed by beef cattle.
Manufacturing: Virginia’s most important processed products are still tobacco-based, followed closely by beverages including soft drinks and beer.
Mining: Coal is the state’s leading mined product.
Fishing: Virginia is a leading crab and oyster producing state in the nation.
A Closer Look: Virginia also boasts businesses for computer programmers, consultants, engineers and researchers generated by the federal government, and AOL, the world’s largest Internet service provider, is based in Virginia.
Did You Know? The Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, is located in Virginia.
Virginia Education:
In General: Virginia includes 104 institutions of higher learning, along with many vocational and technical schools throughout the state. Virginia operates 23 community colleges on 40 campuses serving over 240,000 students.
In the Rankings: U.S. News and World Report rankings: University of Virginia (#23), College of William and Mary (#37), Virginia Tech (#71); Liberal Arts Rankings – Washington and Lee University (#17), University of Richmond (#33), Virginia Military Institute (#71).
Online Education: There are myriad accredited online universities offering degrees in the state of Virginia.
A Closer Look: The Virginia Military Institute is the oldest state military university and a top ranked public liberal arts college.
Did You Know? The University of Virginia was originally founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson and is continuously ranked among the top 10 public universities in the nation. [Ed. Note: Being a “Founding Father” and the third U.S. President was apparently not time-consuming enough for Mr. Jefferson.]
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.