Population 25,538 · 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 Russell County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Russell County
Household size in Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.51 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.56 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.48 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.38 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.12 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Russell County is a place of small households, averaging 2.38 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 2.51, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the center.
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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.5 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.8 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.8 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.3 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.8, Russell County 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 42.5 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the south and oldest in the center.
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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.1% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Russell County than nationally: 10.1%, against 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of Virginia. The single-parent share is down 0.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Russell County
Renters in Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.0% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.9% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.7% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.7% of households in Russell County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 62.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 0.7 points, as it has 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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.3% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.2% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.5% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 16.5% of the housing in Russell 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. Vacancy has risen 2.3 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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1980 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Russell County was built around 1980, the same vintage as the country's housing overall. The median year built has moved up from 1976 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, 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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $474 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $548 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $569 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $738 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$264 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Russell County runs $738 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $264 a month from 2006–10, a 56% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the south; the highest are 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 Russell County
Bachelor's degrees in Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.2% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.2% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Russell County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 13.2%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has edged up 0.6 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only four have 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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.7% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.0% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.3% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.6 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Russell County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 9.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few Virginia counties have a lower share of high school graduates: only eight of 133.
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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.9% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Russell County than nationally: unemployment was 3.6%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Russell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell County | 2.38 | 46.8 | 10.1% | 23.7% | 16.5% | 1980 | $738 | 13.2% | 82.3% | 3.6% |
| Wise County | 2.37 | 42.2 | 12.7% | 25.8% | 15.5% | 1979 | $802 | 15.4% | 80.2% | 8.5% |
| Smyth County | 2.31 | 45.7 | 11.0% | 29.0% | 16.4% | 1973 | $758 | 16.6% | 87.1% | 3.5% |
| Norton City | 2.31 | 40.2 | 19.5% | 50.0% | 11.8% | 1973 | $573 | 14.0% | 94.3% | 4.1% |
| Wythe County | 2.29 | 45.1 | 8.8% | 23.0% | 11.1% | 1980 | $826 | 19.3% | 89.9% | 4.2% |
| Harlan County | 2.38 | 41.3 | 13.2% | 28.4% | 17.4% | 1976 | $705 | 13.8% | 81.7% | 9.8% |
| Pulaski County | 2.29 | 46.3 | 9.4% | 26.6% | 14.4% | 1975 | $882 | 21.3% | 91.6% | 3.2% |
| Floyd County | 2.35 | 47.9 | 7.0% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 1986 | $859 | 24.4% | 91.1% | 3.9% |
| Knox County | 2.54 | 40.2 | 15.6% | 34.7% | 14.2% | 1985 | $703 | 14.1% | 76.8% | 8.0% |
| Laurel County | 2.65 | 40.7 | 13.0% | 28.4% | 11.1% | 1991 | $832 | 17.2% | 84.4% | 4.0% |
| Whitley County | 2.65 | 35.4 | 15.1% | 33.2% | 14.1% | 1987 | $797 | 20.5% | 84.8% | 6.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Becker County, MN · Morrow County, OH · Monroe County, IL · Obion County, TN · Orange County, VT · Ottawa County, OK · Palo Pinto County, TX · Panola County, MS · Park County, WY · Peach County, GA
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 Russell 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.
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.