Population 3,895 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Independence
Household size in Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.10 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.14 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.10 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.17 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Independence is a place of small households, averaging 2.17 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.8 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Independence skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.6, 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 dropped from 49.0, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Independence: 5.6% of households, against 11.6% 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 Independence
Renters in Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.1% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.6% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.0% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.0% of households in Independence rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly six in ten owners (56.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.5% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.4% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 32.0% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.7% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 26.7% of the housing in Independence, 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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1968 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Independence are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1978, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in Virginia overall, where the median home dates to 1984.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $370 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $483 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $448 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $654 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$284 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Independence pays $654 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 29.4% 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 Independence
Bachelor's degrees in Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.7% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.8% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.5% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Independence: 15.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.0% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.3% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.5% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.0% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.0 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in Independence never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Independence has been strong: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. 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).
Independence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 2.17 | 47.6 | 5.6% | 23.0% | 26.7% | 1978 | $654 | 15.5% | 85.0% | 2.3% |
| Carsonville | 2.40 | 43.1 | 7.7% | 30.5% | 23.8% | 1977 | $651 | 21.5% | 91.6% | 2.1% |
| Peach Bottom | 2.36 | 43.8 | 5.9% | 25.3% | 24.1% | 1987 | $694 | 8.5% | 82.8% | 2.6% |
| Lower Elk Creek | 2.16 | 48.3 | 6.6% | 23.2% | 28.2% | 1975 | $615 | 22.8% | 90.8% | 3.9% |
| Twin Oaks | 2.21 | 47.8 | 3.3% | 23.0% | 37.1% | 1988 | $575 | 21.6% | 83.6% | 0.0% |
| Volney | 1.91 | 59.2 | 3.3% | 13.3% | 35.0% | 1971 | $674 | 18.1% | 88.4% | 0.4% |
| Elk Creek | 2.04 | 54.3 | 5.5% | 14.7% | 35.8% | 1980 | $842 | 18.9% | 91.8% | 2.6% |
| Fox | 2.20 | 55.4 | 2.8% | 17.2% | 28.7% | 1974 | $757 | 19.0% | 82.8% | 3.0% |
| Sparta | 2.00 | 54.2 | 4.9% | 31.7% | 21.4% | 1977 | $690 | 22.8% | 84.3% | 4.3% |
| Stratford | 2.32 | 49.5 | 2.7% | 17.8% | 38.9% | 1983 | $790 | 33.3% | 83.2% | 0.0% |
| Spring Valley | 2.23 | 51.8 | 3.4% | 18.2% | 24.5% | 1967 | $604 | 15.0% | 82.9% | 10.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Belle, WV · Weirsdale, FL · Valley, NE · South Fulton, TN · Saegertown, PA · Jackson, SC · Harveys Lake, PA · Hamburg, AR · Gordo, AL · Galesville, WI
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 Independence. 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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