Population 13,733 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Dickenson County
Household size in Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.59 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.47 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.50 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.30 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.29 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Dickenson County is a place of small households, averaging 2.30 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.59, a much bigger shift than nationally. 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 Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.1 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.0 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.1 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.0 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.9 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.0, Dickenson County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 43.1, in line with the national trend. 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 Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Dickenson County than nationally: 9.5%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has barely moved since 2006–10, while 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 Dickenson County
Renters in Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.4% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.3% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.9% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.9% of households in Dickenson County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About two-thirds of owners (65.1%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the south. The renter share has risen 4.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.4% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.4% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 19.4% of the housing in Dickenson 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.
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 Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Dickenson County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1983, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
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 Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $456 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $554 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $588 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $732 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$276 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Dickenson County pays $732 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $276 a month from 2006–10, a 61% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 27.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the south.
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 Dickenson County
Bachelor's degrees in Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.3% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Dickenson County: 10.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 1.7 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Only one other Virginia county has a lower 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 Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 63.6% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 72.9% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 77.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.3% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +21.7 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Dickenson County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 21.7 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Dickenson County has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Virginia counties.
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 Dickenson County
| Period | Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Dickenson County has been strong: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few Virginia counties have lower unemployment: only 12 of 133. Unemployment is down 7.1 points from 2006–10, as it has 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).
Dickenson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickenson County | 2.30 | 46.0 | 9.5% | 23.9% | 19.4% | 1983 | $732 | 10.7% | 85.3% | 2.3% |
| Buchanan County | 2.58 | 48.6 | 12.6% | 16.9% | 26.0% | 1979 | $748 | 11.1% | 78.9% | 3.7% |
| Letcher County | 2.48 | 43.9 | 11.4% | 25.9% | 19.6% | 1976 | $732 | 12.8% | 82.1% | 5.6% |
| Tazewell County | 2.35 | 46.0 | 9.7% | 25.6% | 17.0% | 1973 | $776 | 17.3% | 87.5% | 4.3% |
| Perry County | 2.47 | 42.0 | 13.9% | 29.6% | 16.4% | 1984 | $786 | 14.7% | 80.1% | 5.1% |
| Leslie County | 2.32 | 41.8 | 10.4% | 14.5% | 13.0% | 1983 | $585 | 11.9% | 80.5% | 4.6% |
| Bland County | 2.27 | 47.0 | 6.0% | 13.5% | 23.0% | 1982 | $714 | 18.6% | 92.6% | 2.4% |
| Clay County | 2.56 | 40.4 | 18.3% | 23.6% | 15.6% | 1991 | $786 | 16.5% | 74.6% | 8.4% |
| Pulaski County | 2.29 | 46.3 | 9.4% | 26.6% | 14.4% | 1975 | $882 | 21.3% | 91.6% | 3.2% |
| Laurel County | 2.65 | 40.7 | 13.0% | 28.4% | 11.1% | 1991 | $832 | 17.2% | 84.4% | 4.0% |
| Radford City | 2.44 | 31.1 | 5.2% | 57.7% | 15.9% | 1975 | $992 | 42.1% | 94.4% | 7.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Perry County, MO · Lajas Municipio, PR · Lampasas County, TX · Lavaca County, TX · Leake County, MS · Lee County, VA · Leelanau County, MI · Letcher County, KY · Pecos County, TX · Penuelas 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 Dickenson 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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