Population 14,852 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Galax: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Galax
Household size in Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.13 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.27 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.35 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.22 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Galax is a place of small households, averaging 2.35 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 climbed from 2.13, even as the national average fell. Galax has smaller households than the great majority of Virginia cities.
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 Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.1 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.8 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.3 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.3, Galax 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 45.1 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.7% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.0% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Galax as they are nationally: 12.0%, against 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in Virginia overall (10.7%). The single-parent share has edged down 0.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Galax
Renters in Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.5% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.1% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 31.5% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Galax own their homes; 31.5% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 51.0% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the southeast. The renter share has risen 6.0 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 Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.4% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Galax: 18.3% of homes are empty, 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 4.0 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 Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1976 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Galax was built around 1976, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in Virginia as a whole, where the median home dates to 1984. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center 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 Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $508 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $548 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $635 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $775 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$267 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Galax runs $775 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $267 a month from 2006–10, a 53% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.9% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the south; the most affordable are in the north.
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 Galax
Bachelor's degrees in Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.5% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.0% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Galax: 18.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.5 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the east.
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 Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.7% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.9% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 79.7% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.9% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.2 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in Galax never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 11.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Galax has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Virginia 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 Galax
| Period | Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Galax is close to the national rate: 5.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Virginia overall (4.3%). 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).
Galax 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galax | 2.35 | 46.3 | 12.0% | 31.5% | 18.3% | 1976 | $775 | 18.0% | 84.9% | 5.8% |
| West Galax | 2.44 | 49.5 | 3.4% | 7.1% | 24.8% | 1971 | $828 | 11.0% | 88.0% | 1.3% |
| Oldtown | 2.23 | 47.5 | 8.3% | 21.8% | 26.8% | 1975 | $721 | 15.2% | 81.7% | 4.9% |
| Pipers Gap | 2.58 | 43.0 | 9.9% | 11.1% | 32.2% | 1980 | $745 | 16.8% | 87.1% | 4.4% |
| Hickory Flat | 2.33 | 57.3 | 5.6% | 27.2% | 11.9% | 1984 | $713 | 9.0% | 79.1% | 22.4% |
| Hebron | 2.34 | 54.7 | 5.4% | 24.7% | 16.1% | 1986 | $754 | 22.6% | 89.4% | 6.3% |
| Stevens Creek | 2.42 | 45.1 | 10.9% | 21.4% | 23.8% | 1955 | $671 | 14.4% | 79.9% | 3.4% |
| Woodlawn | 2.50 | 44.9 | 9.3% | 21.8% | 22.3% | 1981 | $734 | 16.8% | 85.1% | 4.2% |
| Fries | 2.38 | 47.8 | 9.2% | 18.8% | 25.6% | 1957 | $658 | 14.4% | 81.3% | 4.4% |
| Carsonville | 2.40 | 43.1 | 7.7% | 30.5% | 23.8% | 1977 | $651 | 21.5% | 91.6% | 2.1% |
| Ennice | 2.47 | 43.8 | 2.0% | 13.5% | 36.2% | 1987 | $761 | 18.0% | 78.5% | 2.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lake Ronkonkoma, NY · Shawano, WI · Sharonville, OH · Seven Oaks, SC · Seven Corners, VA · Setauket-East Setauket, NY · Selinsgrove, PA · Seekonk, MA · Scottsville, KY · Lake Wylie, SC
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 Galax. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.