Population 15,112 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Clifton
Household size in Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.22 | 2.73 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.26 | 2.82 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.14 | 2.86 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.02 | 2.77 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.20 | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Clifton are large by national standards, averaging 3.02 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has dropped from 3.22 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.2 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.1 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.1 | 38.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.7 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.5 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.7, Clifton 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 40.2 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
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 Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 11.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.0% | 10.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 10.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 3.7% of households in Clifton, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 3.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only four 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 Clifton
Renters in Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.1% | 34.0% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 36.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 36.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 7.2% | 36.3% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 7.2% of households in Clifton rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 25.8% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 3.1 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only 11 of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of renters.
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 Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 8.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 3.4% | 7.3% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.6% | 6.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 1.5% | 5.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 1.5% of homes in Clifton are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 4.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only three have a lower vacancy rate.
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 Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1978 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1979 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Clifton is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1989, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole.
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 Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,840 | $1,470 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,965 | $1,583 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,724 | $1,907 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,463 | $2,236 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$623 | +$766 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Clifton costs $2,463 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $623 a month since 2006–10, up 34%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 29.7% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Clifton
Bachelor's degrees in Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.9% | 46.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 68.1% | 48.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 69.2% | 51.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 74.3% | 53.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.4 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Clifton is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (74.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.4 points, mirroring the country. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only 17 have a higher 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 Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.5% | 89.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.6% | 90.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.0% | 90.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.6% | 91.2% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +1.7 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Clifton: 97.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.1 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Only 22 of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people 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 Clifton
| Period | Clifton | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 5.9% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.7% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Clifton is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, 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).
Clifton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton | 3.02 | 46.7 | 3.7% | 7.2% | 1.5% | 1989 | $2,463 | 74.3% | 97.6% | 4.9% |
| Yorkshire | 3.26 | 34.4 | 19.3% | 48.5% | 3.1% | 1990 | $2,068 | 27.6% | 78.5% | 4.0% |
| Centreville | 2.97 | 37.5 | 10.2% | 27.2% | 2.5% | 1991 | $2,485 | 57.6% | 94.3% | 4.1% |
| Yorkshire Park | 3.28 | 48.8 | 7.4% | 0.0% | 10.4% | 1982 | $1,981 | 55.3% | 97.0% | 0.0% |
| Manassas Park | 3.71 | 36.3 | 12.9% | 33.5% | 6.4% | 1983 | $2,042 | 25.7% | 78.8% | 5.5% |
| Fair Oaks | 2.44 | 36.5 | 5.5% | 55.5% | 5.9% | 1998 | $2,405 | 69.1% | 94.3% | 5.3% |
| Sudley | 3.52 | 35.6 | 16.6% | 37.9% | 6.5% | 1979 | $2,167 | 25.8% | 76.2% | 5.1% |
| Chantilly | 3.18 | 40.8 | 7.7% | 17.8% | 1.5% | 1992 | $2,579 | 60.7% | 90.0% | 2.8% |
| Fairfax | 2.76 | 38.3 | 5.8% | 32.4% | 3.2% | 1982 | $2,405 | 68.7% | 94.8% | 3.5% |
| Burke Centre | 2.90 | 39.9 | 7.4% | 19.2% | 5.0% | 1981 | $2,692 | 65.7% | 96.1% | 6.2% |
| Manassas | 3.16 | 36.8 | 11.4% | 24.6% | 3.4% | 1989 | $1,855 | 39.4% | 85.4% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Brock Hall, MD · Burnsville, NC · Vineyard, UT · Wallkill, NY · Bulverde, TX · Bucyrus, OH · Brushy Creek, TX · Brownsville, FL · Browns Mills, NJ · Brookside, DE
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 Clifton. 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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