Population 54,840 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Blacksburg
Household size in Blacksburg
| Period | Blacksburg | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.35 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.54 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.17 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Blacksburg has 2.52 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.35 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the north.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.4 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 28.0 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 28.3 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 29.3 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.0 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 29.3, Blacksburg is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 28.4, in line with the national trend. Only three of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.5% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.4% of households in Blacksburg, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.7 points, in line with the national trend. Only ten of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.6% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 63.7% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 59.7% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 58.4% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Blacksburg rent: 58.4% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 52.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 1.2 points, 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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.1% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.1% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.7 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 17.4% of the housing in Blacksburg, 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 7.7 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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Blacksburg are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The picture is much the same across Virginia. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $791 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $920 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,083 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,360 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$568 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Blacksburg costs $1,360 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $568 a month from 2006–10, a 72% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 37.5% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.3% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 66.6% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 60.4% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 59.4% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Blacksburg: 59.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has fallen 1.8 points, even as the national share rose.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.3% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.8% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.0% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.5% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Blacksburg: 97.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only 23 have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.5 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Blacksburg runs below the national rate: 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.5 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
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 | 2.52 | 29.3 | 4.4% | 58.4% | 17.4% | 1987 | $1,360 | 59.4% | 97.5% | 3.6% |
| Vicker | 2.55 | 42.6 | 11.8% | 37.4% | 14.3% | 1991 | $1,183 | 35.1% | 98.0% | 3.4% |
| Christiansburg | 2.25 | 41.0 | 9.4% | 36.3% | 10.5% | 1987 | $1,150 | 41.0% | 94.6% | 2.3% |
| Whitethorne | 2.36 | 39.8 | 12.0% | 29.9% | 5.4% | 1982 | $1,078 | 48.1% | 95.4% | 1.7% |
| Newport | 2.46 | 46.9 | 5.6% | 10.4% | 22.7% | 1985 | $785 | 26.7% | 92.2% | 0.1% |
| Ironto | 2.21 | 50.5 | 5.2% | 27.3% | 11.3% | 1990 | $1,379 | 28.7% | 96.7% | 0.0% |
| Pepper | 2.47 | 39.2 | 15.1% | 18.9% | 9.8% | 1982 | $949 | 37.7% | 92.0% | 3.3% |
| Fairlawn | 2.05 | 54.3 | 3.7% | 15.2% | 10.7% | 1983 | $1,572 | 46.4% | 95.3% | 2.8% |
| Shawsville | 2.56 | 42.5 | 10.4% | 32.2% | 6.7% | 1980 | $1,059 | 18.5% | 91.9% | 1.9% |
| McDonalds Mill | 2.68 | 45.7 | 6.3% | 5.9% | 10.5% | 1982 | $1,342 | 43.9% | 95.7% | 1.3% |
| Elliston | 2.12 | 46.7 | 11.5% | 28.8% | 10.7% | 1988 | $1,104 | 19.2% | 92.5% | 13.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Potomac, MD · West Chester, OH · Apache Junction, AZ · Redford, MI · Plainfield, NJ · Paramount, CA · Oak Park, IL · Sebring, FL · Montgomery, TX · Monroe, MI
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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