2026 State of the County Address - May 21, 2026

Chair At-Large Phyllis J. Randall delivered the annual State of the County address on May 21, 2026, at the Loudoun County Government Center. The event featured a video presentation, the national anthem by Ben Curtis, a performance by the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Nicholas Krukowski. The address, themed "Loudoun's America's Story" in celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary, highlighted the county's economic strength, housing initiatives, historical contributions, and community resilience.

Chair Randall's Address

• Housing and Attainable Housing: The county increased funding for attainable housing from approximately $1 million in 2016 to $9 million. The Department of Housing and Community Development was established, a full penny per $100 of assessed value was allocated to housing portfolios, building permit fees were waived for nonprofit and faith-based developers, and cigarette tax revenue was dedicated to down payment assistance. The county secured over $650 million in additional investment from partners, resulting in 19 projects with over 2,000 attainable units (completed or in development), 1,600 of which are rental units (27% at or below 50% of area median income), with another 500 in the concept stage.
• Economic Development: In 2025, Loudoun saw $2 billion in new commercial investment and over 8,000 economic wins across aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture. The unemployment rate stands at 3.2%, with employment forecast to grow 25% between 2025 and 2050. The number of county-based businesses increased by 36% over 10 years to nearly 15,000. The Launch Loudoun initiative supported 249 women-owned and minority-owned businesses in 2025.
• Transit-Oriented Development: On April 20, 2026, ground was broken on Ravana, a transit-oriented development along the Silver Line Metro Corridor. It will include 3.5 million square feet of Class A office space, 463,000 square feet of commercial space, 2,700 residential units, a 500-room hotel, a performing arts venue, and public parks.
• Tourism and Agriculture: Visitor spending increased 9% in 2024 to nearly $5 billion, making Loudoun the top generator of visitor spending in Virginia. Loudoun ranks first in honey production, cut flower sales, and Asian and Hispanic farmers. The number of farms in rural areas grew by 6%. The county hosted the U.S. Equestrian Open Final International and Fall Horse Trial with a record $200,000 purse.
• Historical Contributions: Loudoun contributed more soldiers to the Revolutionary War than any other Virginia locality. The county served as the breadbasket for the Continental Army and temporarily held the Declaration of Independence in 1814. African American soldiers from Loudoun fought in the war, including Daniel Coleman, a free Black man whose pension application remains in the courthouse. The story of Frederick Douglass High School (1941–1968) was highlighted: Black parents raised $4,000 to purchase land, hired attorney Charles Hamilton Houston, and sold the land to the county for $1 to secure funding for the school.
• Demographics and Finances: Loudoun now has nearly 500,000 residents, a median household income over $177,000, and per capita income over $71,000. The real estate tax rate was reduced from $1.135 per $100 of assessed value in 2016 to $0.805, and it will remain unchanged for 2027. The car tax rate was reduced to $3.09 for 2026 and will drop to $2.94 in 2027. County employee salaries meet or exceed those in neighboring jurisdictions. Fiscal reserves exceed 15% of operating revenues, and all three major credit rating agencies reaffirmed AAA bond ratings.
• Federal Policy Impacts: Chair Randall noted that federal policy changes are already negatively affecting local finances. Budget growth was restrained from 11% in FY 2026 to 9% in FY 2027, with a target of 5% year-over-year growth. The county will work with the Chamber of Commerce to support small businesses.
• Recognition of Community Leaders: Chair Randall thanked the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce (five-star accreditation), the Daughters of the American Revolution chapters, local historians, former Frederick Douglass High School students, veterans, and her staff. She also acknowledged Miss Virginia 2025, Madison Whitbeck, a Loudoun native who advocates for arts education.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. The address served as a report on the county's progress and outlined ongoing commitments to attainable housing, economic diversification, fiscal restraint, and historical preservation. The county will continue to manage budget growth toward 5% annually and monitor federal policy impacts.