Population 9,240 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Blacksburg
Household size in Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.54 | 2.60 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.76 | 2.68 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.73 | 2.67 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.61 | 2.62 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | +0.01 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Households in Blacksburg average 2.61 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Household size has crept up from 2.54 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southeast.
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 Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.2 | 36.7 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.5 | 37.8 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.3 | 38.6 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.4 | 38.8 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.3 | +2.0 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Blacksburg is 42.4 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.2, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the south.
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 Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 12.3% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 12.7% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 11.5% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 11.3% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Blacksburg (13.9%), above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged up 1.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Blacksburg
Renters in Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.5% | 30.9% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.9% | 33.4% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.7% | 34.3% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.7% | 34.1% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +3.2 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Blacksburg is largely a place of homeowners: only 24.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About two-thirds of owners (65.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 10.4% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.9% | 10.0% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.8% | 8.6% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 8.3% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Blacksburg: 13.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is up 3.9 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 Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1986 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1989 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1994 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +8 | +7 | +6 |
Homes in Blacksburg are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1985, versus 1980 across the U.S. Even so, homes here are older than in the wider Charlotte area, where the median home dates to 1994. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the southwest.
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 Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $647 | $875 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $684 | $966 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $733 | $1,127 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $732 | $1,552 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$85 | +$678 | +$514 | +$606 |
Rent in Blacksburg runs $732 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $85 a month from 2006–10, a 13% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.0% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the center.
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 Blacksburg
Bachelor's degrees in Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 30.6% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 32.4% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.9% | 35.9% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.4% | 40.6% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +10.0 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Blacksburg: 15.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Blacksburg has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of South Carolina cities.
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 Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.9% | 85.8% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 72.2% | 87.3% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 76.4% | 89.2% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.7% | 90.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +4.8 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Blacksburg never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 9.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Blacksburg has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five South Carolina cities.
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 Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.5% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.9% | 10.8% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 4.3% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −10.4 pts | −4.8 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.1%, unemployment in Blacksburg is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the Charlotte area overall (4.3%). Unemployment has fallen 10.4 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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).
Blacksburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | 2.61 | 42.4 | 13.9% | 24.7% | 13.1% | 1985 | $732 | 15.4% | 82.7% | 5.1% |
| Cherokee Falls | 2.86 | 37.5 | 12.5% | 16.1% | 4.6% | 1982 | $744 | 13.8% | 89.5% | 1.6% |
| Kings Creek | 2.81 | 45.9 | 9.5% | 14.3% | 8.9% | 1992 | $719 | 12.4% | 71.9% | 3.8% |
| Grover | 2.77 | 42.1 | 11.5% | 25.0% | 14.0% | 1984 | $955 | 18.3% | 87.2% | 8.4% |
| Earl | 2.67 | 39.3 | 18.2% | 24.0% | 24.1% | 1986 | $1,001 | 19.1% | 92.6% | 6.9% |
| Draytonville | 2.30 | 44.6 | 11.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% | 1985 | $798 | 8.2% | 66.9% | 0.0% |
| East Gaffney | 2.60 | 40.3 | 13.4% | 28.5% | 21.4% | 1982 | $769 | 11.0% | 84.3% | 3.9% |
| Smyrna | 2.67 | 39.9 | 4.9% | 10.2% | 7.6% | 1995 | $1,010 | 17.1% | 87.3% | 1.8% |
| Patterson Springs | 2.76 | 40.2 | 9.5% | 26.1% | 24.0% | 1978 | $1,030 | 23.2% | 91.5% | 4.8% |
| Gaffney | 2.58 | 39.0 | 13.7% | 27.5% | 13.6% | 1983 | $880 | 22.3% | 85.8% | 7.5% |
| Kings Mountain | 2.73 | 41.2 | 14.0% | 25.9% | 9.5% | 1984 | $1,010 | 18.2% | 86.2% | 5.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Sheridan, OR · Toronto, OH · Bunnell, FL · Wells, ME · Bushkill, PA · Winsted, CT · Cadiz, KY · Wellsville, NY · Camilla, GA · Camp Pendleton, CA
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 Blacksburg. 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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