Population 20,176 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Radford
Household size in Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.31 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.59 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.68 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.15 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Radford has 2.46 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.31, even as the national average fell.
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 Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.6 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.9 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.9 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.7 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 33.7, Radford is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 31.6, in line with the national trend. Only 11 of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
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 Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Radford: 6.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 1.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Radford has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Virginia cities.
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 Radford
Renters in Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.5% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 45.7% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.7% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 49.9% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Radford than nationally: 49.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 46.1% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 7.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 19 of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people have a higher 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 Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.9% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.4% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 15.9% of the housing in Radford, 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 2.0 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 Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Radford are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in Virginia overall, where the median home dates to 1984. 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 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 Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $656 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $789 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $707 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $993 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$337 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Radford costs $993 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $337 a month since 2006–10, up 51%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 30.7% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the east.
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 Radford
Bachelor's degrees in Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.4% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.8% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 36.6% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 39.7% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Radford than nationally: 39.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. That is in line with the rest of Virginia. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 3.3 points, 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 Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.6% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.1% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.3% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.6 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Radford is above the national rate: 94.3% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 4.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Radford
| Period | Radford | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Radford than nationally: unemployment was 6.7%, against 5.4%. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only 16 have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.3 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).
Radford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radford | 2.46 | 33.7 | 6.2% | 49.9% | 15.9% | 1977 | $993 | 39.7% | 94.3% | 6.7% |
| Fairlawn | 2.05 | 54.3 | 3.7% | 15.2% | 10.7% | 1983 | $1,572 | 46.4% | 95.3% | 2.8% |
| Pepper | 2.47 | 39.2 | 15.1% | 18.9% | 9.8% | 1982 | $949 | 37.7% | 92.0% | 3.3% |
| New River | 2.65 | 45.0 | 8.7% | 45.7% | 5.3% | 1977 | $969 | 5.6% | 86.6% | 5.7% |
| Belspring | 2.37 | 43.5 | 11.3% | 18.8% | 11.6% | 1975 | $962 | 33.0% | 93.6% | 2.9% |
| Vicker | 2.55 | 42.6 | 11.8% | 37.4% | 14.3% | 1991 | $1,183 | 35.1% | 98.0% | 3.4% |
| Highland | 2.43 | 51.6 | 7.2% | 13.6% | 15.0% | 1972 | $1,007 | 14.4% | 96.7% | 2.2% |
| Childress | 2.79 | 45.8 | 1.0% | 14.1% | 13.4% | 1984 | $630 | 28.5% | 94.8% | 0.0% |
| Dublin | 2.27 | 49.3 | 8.5% | 31.4% | 13.5% | 1978 | $909 | 17.6% | 92.7% | 2.8% |
| Whitethorne | 2.36 | 39.8 | 12.0% | 29.9% | 5.4% | 1982 | $1,078 | 48.1% | 95.4% | 1.7% |
| Graysontown | 2.41 | 42.6 | 14.7% | 17.7% | 17.2% | 1988 | $906 | 22.7% | 90.1% | 0.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Clinton, NC · Valencia West, AZ · Vail, AZ · Tarzana, CA · Swartz Creek, MI · Fairwood, WA · Dixon, IL · Dixon, CA · Copiague, NY · Connersville, IN
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 Radford. 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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