Remote work has brought growth and revitalization to Strasburg
The rise in remote work that began in 2020 enticed many people to leave Northern Virginia communities such as Ashburn, Leesburg and Fairfax for Strasburg, a town on the western side of the state where home prices tend to be hundreds of thousands of dollars lower. That trend slowed in 2025, when federal agencies required workers to return to offices. However, changes had already begun in Strasburg. The influx of residents foreshadowed the construction of new homes, downtown improvements and renovations to the public park. These additions complement the natural beauty of Strasburg’s location in the Shenandoah Valley, alongside the North Fork Shenandoah River. “I told myself that, when I got older, I’d move to the beach,” says Brian Doman, a Realtor at Preslee Real Estate who grew up in Strasburg. “All of a sudden, I realized that when I go there, I’m not going to have these mountains all around me. I’m not going to have changes in the seasons. I still haven’t left.”
Ongoing construction, rural properties and historic homes
New construction and remodeled homes bring many homebuyers to Strasburg, Doman says. Colonial-inspired houses are being built within the town limits, while ranch homes and bungalows around the community are upgraded with modern kitchens and new roofs. Strasburg was founded in 1761, so there are historic homes as well. Houses in the Historic Downtown Overlay District vary from Federal homes built in the early 1800s to early 20th-century American Foursquares. Homeowners in that district must get town approval before making exterior renovations. To the east and west, ranches and century-old farmhouses sit on several acres. “Some people like acreage and privacy, and some people like the new construction in town,” Doman says. Meanwhile, condo complexes and townhouse communities offer less square footage but lower price tags. Strasburg's median home price is about $325,000.
Attending Shenandoah County Public Schools in Strasburg
The community’s three public schools stand alongside the banks of the North Fork Shenandoah River. Children can start at Sandy Hook Elementary School, given a B-minus grade by Niche. After that, students may advance to Signal Knob Middle School and Strasburg High School, both graded C-plus. Strasburg High has more than 20 sports teams, with the football team playing in the 2024 state championship game and the wrestling team winning three consecutive state titles from 2022 to 2024.
A revived downtown and more retail on Route 11
Many downtown storefronts sat empty not too long ago, Doman says. Since 2020, several new businesses have opened, including Sammy Lou’s Bake Shop, Burg Nutrition shake shop and Blue Wing Frog, a restaurant that relocated from Front Royal. Events have also boosted downtown’s appeal, Doman says. Bands and singers take to a stage to perform free shows every Friday from June to August. Meanwhile, live music, a cupcake-eating contest and a carnival come downtown during Mayfest, an annual tradition for more than 40 years. “You get lots of people coming to town to go to the shops and the food vendors,” Doman says of Mayfest. North of downtown, Food Lion and Walgreens line U.S. Route 11.
A park, trail and tube launch along the North Fork Shenandoah River
Town Park is the community’s main green space. Park Road winds past a community garden, swimming pool and an under-construction skate park before the road ends at a boat ramp along the North Fork Shenandoah River. The mile-long Strasburg Riverwalk extends west from the boat ramp, following the North Fork. The town government plans to expand the trail by a mile, adding a kayak launch and a fishing pier along the gravel path. A few miles upstream, a swing bridge crosses over Deer Rapids, where tubers often hop in the water and float to Town Park. More rugged recreation awaits in the mountains to the northwest and southeast. For example, steep hiking and mountain biking trails go throughout the 705-acre Devil’s Backbone State Forest, 15 miles north of downtown Strasburg.
Highways connect to Winchester, Harrisonburg
Locals can take the ShenGo bus around downtown, to the stores on Route 11 or to the nearby town of Woodstock. Otherwise, people largely use Route 11 and Interstate 81 to get around the community and to reach larger communities like Winchester, 20 miles north, and Harrisonburg, about 55 miles south.
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Written By
Alex Soderstrom
