Population 16,557 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Giles County
Household size in Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.39 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.33 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.11 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Giles County has 2.49 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.39 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.8 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.5 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.4 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.9 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Giles County skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.9, 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 43.8, 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 Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Giles County: 5.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 3.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Virginia counties have a lower share of single-parent households: only seven of 133.
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 Giles County
Renters in Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.4% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.9% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.1% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Giles County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. More than half of owners (54.6%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.1 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 Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.2% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.0% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Giles County: 19.0% 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 has risen 4.5 points since 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 Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1968 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +5 | +6 |
Giles County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1971, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the west 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 Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $510 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $634 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $713 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $799 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$289 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Giles County pays $799 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $289 a month from 2006–10, a 57% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 22.6% of household income on rent, comfortably 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 Giles County
Bachelor's degrees in Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.8% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.5% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Giles County: 18.5% 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 2.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.4% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.7% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.4% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.0 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Giles County have finished high school (91.4%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. Virginia as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma has risen 11.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Giles County
| Period | Giles County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.4% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.0% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Giles County has been low: just 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only five of Virginia's 133 counties have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 4.3 points since 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).
Giles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giles County | 2.49 | 44.9 | 5.5% | 21.1% | 19.0% | 1971 | $799 | 18.5% | 91.4% | 2.0% |
| Mercer County | 2.41 | 42.8 | 9.8% | 27.1% | 17.4% | 1973 | $824 | 22.7% | 89.2% | 2.6% |
| Craig County | 2.89 | 47.8 | 4.3% | 16.3% | 27.2% | 1981 | $706 | 19.6% | 86.6% | 2.4% |
| Salem City | 2.30 | 41.5 | 11.9% | 37.2% | 8.4% | 1967 | $1,235 | 33.7% | 93.7% | 3.3% |
| Roanoke County | 2.42 | 44.1 | 10.6% | 24.3% | 7.1% | 1979 | $1,242 | 37.1% | 94.6% | 2.8% |
| Roanoke City | 2.28 | 40.2 | 13.5% | 47.6% | 12.5% | 1959 | $1,018 | 29.7% | 89.7% | 5.4% |
| Botetourt County | 2.58 | 47.9 | 7.1% | 14.5% | 12.4% | 1984 | $1,171 | 29.0% | 94.4% | 2.5% |
| McDowell County | 2.46 | 42.6 | 11.2% | 22.7% | 30.3% | 1957 | $642 | 6.5% | 75.7% | 6.5% |
| Bedford County | 2.47 | 47.1 | 6.7% | 15.3% | 9.6% | 1989 | $1,018 | 34.4% | 92.7% | 2.9% |
| Buchanan County | 2.58 | 48.6 | 12.6% | 16.9% | 26.0% | 1979 | $748 | 11.1% | 78.9% | 3.7% |
| Lynchburg City | 2.36 | 32.9 | 11.9% | 51.1% | 15.0% | 1971 | $1,081 | 43.4% | 92.0% | 6.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Washington County, NE · Jack County, TX · Jackson County, AR · Jackson County, IA · Jackson County, KS · Jackson County, KY · Watonwan County, MN · Washita County, OK · Jackson County, TN · Jackson County, TX
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 Giles 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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