Population 2,055 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Appalachia
Household size in Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.33 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.34 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Appalachia is a place of small households, averaging 2.34 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children.
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 Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.3 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.4 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.8 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Appalachia skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.2, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 41.3 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
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 Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.3% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Appalachia (14.4%), above the national share of 11.6%.
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 Appalachia
Renters in Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.5% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.2% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.6% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Appalachia is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly two-thirds of owners (64.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.6% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.7% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.9% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.8% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Appalachia: 21.8% 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.
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 Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1945 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1949 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1953 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1952 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
Appalachia is a place of older homes: half were built before 1952, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating.
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 Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $314 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $562 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $432 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $764 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$450 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Appalachia costs $764 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 27.6% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Appalachia
Bachelor's degrees in Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.2% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.2% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Appalachia: 14.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
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 Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.7% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 76.6% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 80.9% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in Appalachia never finished high school, well above the national share: only 80.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally.
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 Appalachia
| Period | Appalachia | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 21.0% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −9.0 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Appalachia runs well above the national rate: 10.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Appalachia compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachia | 2.34 | 46.2 | 14.4% | 23.6% | 21.8% | 1952 | $764 | 14.9% | 80.9% | 10.3% |
| Stonega | 2.40 | 43.7 | 15.5% | 21.9% | 24.8% | 1941 | $761 | 16.8% | 83.9% | 9.4% |
| Derby | 2.26 | 49.9 | 12.7% | 26.4% | 17.2% | 1971 | $766 | 11.8% | 76.2% | 12.0% |
| Lower Exeter | 2.26 | 49.9 | 12.7% | 26.4% | 17.2% | 1971 | $766 | 11.8% | 76.2% | 12.0% |
| Big Stone Gap | 2.41 | 41.7 | 14.4% | 32.7% | 15.7% | 1975 | $823 | 10.7% | 78.6% | 6.0% |
| Exeter | 2.25 | 50.1 | 12.7% | 26.0% | 17.6% | 1971 | $772 | 12.0% | 76.3% | 11.8% |
| Irondale | 2.80 | 40.2 | 5.0% | 23.9% | 7.4% | 1977 | $631 | 8.5% | 87.8% | 0.8% |
| Oreton | 2.32 | 49.1 | 12.3% | 27.4% | 12.7% | 1987 | $714 | 17.6% | 90.7% | 2.8% |
| Lynch | 2.68 | 43.7 | 10.5% | 33.1% | 36.4% | 1938 | $883 | 10.6% | 84.7% | 3.6% |
| Rawhide | 1.71 | 65.0 | 10.8% | 0.0% | 47.2% | 1988 | $1,203 | 22.8% | 82.4% | 0.0% |
| Calvin | 1.94 | 61.6 | 4.3% | 10.4% | 19.3% | 1945 | $1,203 | 4.8% | 89.5% | 0.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Joseph, OR · Paris, MO · Newburgh Heights, OH · Wingo, KY · Gore, OK · Fairfield Bay, AR · Humansville, MO · Independence, WV · Iron River, WI · Isle, MN
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 Appalachia. 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.
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