Population 14,859 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Alleghany County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Alleghany County
Household size in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.30 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.37 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.24 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.30 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Alleghany County is a place of small households, averaging 2.30 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.8 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.1 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.2 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.8 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.9 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.8, Alleghany County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 44.8 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the southwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.0% of households in Alleghany County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Alleghany County
Renters in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.3% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.5% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.7% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 17.7% of households in Alleghany County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About two-thirds of owners (66.1%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the northwest.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.8% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.3% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.5% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.6% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Alleghany County: 18.6% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 4.8 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1964 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1966 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1967 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Alleghany County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1968, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1964 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $555 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $729 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $611 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $749 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$193 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Alleghany County runs $749 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $193 a month from 2006–10, a 35% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.3% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Few Virginia counties have lower rents: only 11 of 133.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Alleghany County
Bachelor's degrees in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.5% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.4% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Alleghany County: 14.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the center. Only nine of Virginia's 133 counties have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.2% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.4% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.3% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.8% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Alleghany County have finished high school as nationally: 89.8%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Virginia overall (91.6%). The share with a diploma is up 7.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Alleghany County
| Period | Alleghany County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.1% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Alleghany County has been strong: just 2.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only seven have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 4.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Alleghany County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany County | 2.30 | 47.8 | 8.0% | 17.7% | 18.6% | 1968 | $749 | 14.4% | 89.8% | 2.1% |
| Covington City | 2.19 | 40.9 | 15.8% | 29.9% | 14.8% | 1951 | $789 | 9.4% | 86.1% | 4.0% |
| Lexington City | 2.24 | 39.0 | 8.8% | 46.2% | 25.3% | 1962 | $1,099 | 42.6% | 90.5% | 0.4% |
| Rockbridge County | 2.32 | 48.1 | 8.6% | 20.7% | 14.7% | 1980 | $940 | 33.6% | 91.3% | 3.5% |
| Greenbrier County | 2.21 | 46.8 | 9.6% | 26.9% | 17.2% | 1977 | $843 | 22.4% | 87.4% | 4.1% |
| Buena Vista City | 2.37 | 40.2 | 16.1% | 43.5% | 14.9% | 1971 | $1,487 | 23.6% | 88.4% | 3.4% |
| Nelson County | 2.40 | 49.2 | 5.7% | 20.3% | 25.6% | 1984 | $919 | 36.2% | 90.4% | 3.0% |
| Raleigh County | 2.50 | 43.6 | 13.7% | 24.7% | 15.3% | 1977 | $868 | 22.1% | 85.9% | 5.0% |
| Fluvanna County | 2.65 | 44.8 | 7.8% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 1994 | $1,517 | 37.5% | 93.6% | 4.2% |
| Louisa County | 2.60 | 44.9 | 10.1% | 17.8% | 14.8% | 1995 | $1,329 | 29.6% | 90.0% | 5.7% |
| Logan County | 2.47 | 43.1 | 12.6% | 23.0% | 13.6% | 1981 | $751 | 15.4% | 84.4% | 9.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Jefferson County, OR · Sawyer County, WI · Dewey County, SD · Juab County, UT · Nicholas County, WV · Rosebud County, MT · North Slope Borough, AK · Jerome County, ID · Franklin County, FL · Franklin County, ID
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Alleghany County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.