Population 302 · 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 West Galax: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in West Galax
Household size in West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.38 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.22 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.75 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.44 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in West Galax run small, averaging 2.44 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer 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 West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.2 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 49.2 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.9 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.5 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +10.3 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.5, West Galax is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.2, 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 West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.1% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in West Galax: 3.4% 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 West Galax
Renters in West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 7.1% of households in West Galax rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About half of owners (49.1%) have paid off their mortgages, 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 West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.0% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.9% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.8% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +11.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 24.8% of the housing in West Galax, 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 West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | −11 | +5 | +6 |
West Galax 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.
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 West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $439 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $643 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $510 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $828 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$389 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in West Galax costs $828 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 39.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 West Galax
Bachelor's degrees in West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in West Galax have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 11.0%, against 35.6% nationally.
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 West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.3% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 79.0% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.0% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.5 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in West Galax have finished high school as nationally: 88.0%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Virginia overall (91.6%).
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 West Galax
| Period | West Galax | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.2% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.3% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in West Galax has been low: just 1.3% 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).
West 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Galax | 2.44 | 49.5 | 3.4% | 7.1% | 24.8% | 1971 | $828 | 11.0% | 88.0% | 1.3% |
| Galax | 2.35 | 46.3 | 12.0% | 31.5% | 18.3% | 1976 | $775 | 18.0% | 84.9% | 5.8% |
| Pipers Gap | 2.58 | 43.0 | 9.9% | 11.1% | 32.2% | 1980 | $745 | 16.8% | 87.1% | 4.4% |
| Oldtown | 2.23 | 47.5 | 8.3% | 21.8% | 26.8% | 1975 | $721 | 15.2% | 81.7% | 4.9% |
| Ennice | 2.47 | 43.8 | 2.0% | 13.5% | 36.2% | 1987 | $761 | 18.0% | 78.5% | 2.8% |
| Hickory Flat | 2.33 | 57.3 | 5.6% | 27.2% | 11.9% | 1984 | $713 | 9.0% | 79.1% | 22.4% |
| Lowgap | 2.39 | 52.8 | 11.2% | 15.4% | 21.0% | 1987 | $695 | 18.1% | 78.6% | 7.0% |
| Stevens Creek | 2.42 | 45.1 | 10.9% | 21.4% | 23.8% | 1955 | $671 | 14.4% | 79.9% | 3.4% |
| Hebron | 2.34 | 54.7 | 5.4% | 24.7% | 16.1% | 1986 | $754 | 22.6% | 89.4% | 6.3% |
| Lambsburg | 2.23 | 52.9 | 4.6% | 19.1% | 37.6% | 1984 | $979 | 21.8% | 81.9% | 2.2% |
| Woodlawn | 2.50 | 44.9 | 9.3% | 21.8% | 22.3% | 1981 | $734 | 16.8% | 85.1% | 4.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: South Mound, KS · Sun, NY · Summerdale, PA · Stringtown, AR · Strinestown, PA · Strafford, VT · Stormville, PA · Stansel, AL · St. Francis, AR · Spring Creek Colony, SD
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 West 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.