Home internet in Virginia
3,402,670 households, 7.8% of them with no internet subscription and 6.9% on satellite: that is the Virginia picture from the 2023 Census. Below, what it means for the plans you can expect, and a ZIP check against the 183 Virginia ZIP codes our agents can serve.
- 92.2% of Virginia households have an internet subscription; 7.8% have none (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023).
- Wired broadband reaches 76.7% of households, about the same as the national figure.
- Our call line covers 183 ZIP codes in Virginia, including Richmond, Alexandria and Arlington.
What the numbers say about internet in Virginia
| Households, 2023 | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| With an internet subscription | 92.2% | 92.2% |
| Wired broadband (cable, fiber or DSL) | 76.7% | 76.3% |
| Cellular data plan only | 11.5% | 11.9% |
| Satellite internet | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| No internet subscription | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| No computer in the home | 4% | 3.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 1-year estimates, table S2801. Virginia: 3,402,670 households. United States figure is the household-weighted average of the 50 states and DC. Shares overlap because a home can have more than one type of subscription.
On the state table Virginia sits 25th of 51 for wired connections and 24th for the fewest unconnected homes; for satellite it is 21st.
The connection types common in Virginia
Wired service covers a solid majority of homes in Virginia, at 76.7% of households, about the same as the national figure. Expect cable in most towns, fiber on a growing share of streets, and DSL where nothing newer has arrived yet.
11.5% of Virginia households are phone-only, about the same as the national figure. A home line, wired or 5G, almost always gives more data for the money than tethering; the speed guide shows how much the household actually needs.
6.9% of households in Virginia use satellite internet, about the same as the national figure. It is mostly a rural choice, and usually the last option to consider once wired, 5G home and fixed wireless have been ruled out for an address.
7.8% of households in Virginia have no internet subscription at all, about the same as the national figure, and 4% have no computer of any kind. Cost is one of the usual reasons; the low-income internet help guide covers the federal Lifeline discount and the reduced-price plans many providers offer.
For what each type is like to live with, see fiber, cable, 5G home, fixed wireless, DSL and satellite, or the side-by-side table.
Check a Virginia ZIP code
183 Virginia ZIP codes are on our call list today, with the largest groups in Richmond, Alexandria, Arlington, Virginia Beach, Henrico, Newport News, Fairfax and Falls Church. Put your ZIP in the box: a covered ZIP keeps the call button live, an uncovered one turns it off, and either way the state figures above still apply to your order.
183 ZIP codes in Virginia are on the call list.
| City | ZIP codes on the list |
|---|---|
| Richmond | 14 |
| Alexandria | 12 |
| Arlington | 9 |
| Virginia Beach | 9 |
| Henrico | 7 |
| Newport News | 7 |
| Fairfax | 5 |
| Falls Church | 5 |
| Fredericksburg | 5 |
| Chesapeake | 5 |
| Hampton | 5 |
| Manassas | 4 |
| Springfield | 4 |
| Portsmouth | 4 |
| Ashburn | 3 |
Covered ZIP codes by city, from the call partner's list; the list changes over time.
Getting internet set up in Virginia
- Check the address, not the ZIP alone. Availability is decided street by street, so give the agent the full address.
- Compare the types first, prices second: a fiber line at the same price as cable is the better buy because of upload speed and steadier evening speeds.
- Read the broadband label. Every plan now comes with one; the label guide shows what to look for.
- Line up the install date with your move-in date if you are moving. The moving checklist has the timing.
Common questions
What share of Virginia households are offline?
In the 2023 American Community Survey, 7.8% of Virginia households reported no internet subscription of any kind (265,408 homes), which ranks the state 24th of 51 for the fewest unconnected homes. Another 11.5% rely on a phone plan alone.
What is the fastest home internet in Virginia?
Fiber, where it has been built. It is the only type with upload as fast as download. 76.7% of Virginia households have some wired line, but fiber reaches only part of them, so check the exact address. Cable is the usual alternative in towns; 5G home and fixed wireless cover many places the cables do not.
Does the call line cover all of Virginia?
No. It covers 183 ZIP codes in Virginia. Enter your ZIP on this page: if it is covered the call button stays on, and if not the button switches off and the guides still apply. Coverage changes over time, so check again in a few months if your ZIP is not listed today.
Is satellite internet common in Virginia?
6.9% of Virginia households have a satellite subscription, about the same as the national figure. It is mainly used where no wired line reaches. Newer low-orbit satellite services have far lower delay than the old geostationary ones, but check the data limits before you order.