Population 29,157 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Carroll County
Household size in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.29 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.37 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.32 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Carroll County are small: just 2.32 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northwest.
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 Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.7 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.0 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.7 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.0 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.3 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Carroll County skews older: half of its residents are older than 49.0, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 45.7, in line with the national trend.
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 Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Carroll County: 8.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Compared with other Virginia counties, Carroll County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
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 Carroll County
Renters in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.8% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.3% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.7% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.9% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Carroll County is largely a place of homeowners: only 22.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 58.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 0.9 points from 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 Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.3% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.1% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.8% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 22.9% of the housing in Carroll County, 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 2.6 points, 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 Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Carroll County was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1976 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 Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $542 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $541 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $603 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $745 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$203 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Carroll County runs $745 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $203 a month since 2006–10, up 37%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 22.8% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under 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 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 Carroll County
Bachelor's degrees in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.8% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.2% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Carroll County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 17.2%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.4 points, mirroring the country. Carroll County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Virginia counties.
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 Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.3% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.0% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.9% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +13.0 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Carroll County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 13.0 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 Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.8%, unemployment in Carroll County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Virginia overall (4.3%). Unemployment is down 2.7 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).
Carroll 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County | 2.32 | 49.0 | 8.3% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 1982 | $745 | 17.2% | 85.9% | 5.8% |
| Galax City | 2.32 | 43.9 | 17.6% | 43.7% | 14.2% | 1966 | $752 | 19.1% | 84.4% | 5.1% |
| Grayson County | 2.26 | 48.6 | 6.5% | 19.6% | 28.4% | 1975 | $736 | 15.5% | 85.3% | 3.6% |
| Patrick County | 2.23 | 51.4 | 6.5% | 23.1% | 21.4% | 1980 | $727 | 15.2% | 84.4% | 2.7% |
| Smyth County | 2.31 | 45.7 | 11.0% | 29.0% | 16.4% | 1973 | $758 | 16.6% | 87.1% | 3.5% |
| Henry County | 2.37 | 47.7 | 10.8% | 24.8% | 16.2% | 1974 | $784 | 15.9% | 84.3% | 4.0% |
| Martinsville City | 2.42 | 37.4 | 15.6% | 44.6% | 17.8% | 1957 | $828 | 22.2% | 88.5% | 3.0% |
| Washington County | 2.41 | 46.6 | 8.3% | 24.2% | 13.3% | 1983 | $885 | 26.4% | 90.6% | 2.9% |
| Pittsylvania County | 2.36 | 47.6 | 11.7% | 21.3% | 14.4% | 1981 | $876 | 16.0% | 85.7% | 4.5% |
| Bristol City | 2.38 | 45.6 | 17.7% | 36.4% | 19.3% | 1965 | $867 | 24.0% | 89.6% | 7.0% |
| Scott County | 2.28 | 47.8 | 10.5% | 23.0% | 22.0% | 1976 | $700 | 15.0% | 84.3% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Ellis County, KS · Seminole County, OK · Seneca County, NY · Sevier County, UT · Essex County, NY · Escambia County, AL · Emmet County, MI · Emanuel County, GA · Elmore County, ID · Fajardo Municipio, PR
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 Carroll 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.
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