Medicare in Shenandoah County by the numbers
| Shenandoah County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 10,108 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 22.3% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 12,014 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,335 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 36.1% | 39.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Shenandoah County ranks 36th of 133 Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 10,108 people in that age group, or 22.3% of residents (statewide: 17.2%). About 3,366 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 56% ages 65 to 74, 33% ages 75 to 84 and 10% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Shenandoah County is 36.1% of people with Medicare, close to the Virginia average of 39.6%. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Shenandoah County
The USDA classifies Shenandoah County as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 11,884 Medicare beneficiaries in Shenandoah County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Virginia average of 74. About 9% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 9%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Shenandoah County, CMS reported about 709 emergency room visits and 226 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (589) and close to it for hospital stays (206). About 8% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Shenandoah County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Shenandoah County; we help Shenandoah County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Shenandoah County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Shenandoah County:
- Shenandoah Memorial Hospital — Woodstock (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Where people live in Shenandoah County
The largest communities in Shenandoah County by 2023 Census population estimates are Strasburg (7,260), Woodstock (5,940), New Market (2,193), Mount Jackson (2,008), Edinburg (1,211), Toms Brook (280). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Shenandoah County, that means areas such as 22641, 22644, 22652, 22657, 22660, 22664, 22810, 22824, 22842, 22844, 22845, 22847, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Shenandoah County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Shenandoah County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Shenandoah County residents we can compare life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Let’s check your Shenandoah County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Shenandoah County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tazewell County | 9,377 | 56.8% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| City of Danville | 8,851 | 62.8% | 20% | Smaller city/town |
| Halifax County | 8,829 | 43.5% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Mecklenburg County | 8,445 | 45.8% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
| Orange County | 8,069 | 37.0% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
| Carroll County | 7,819 | 39.8% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.