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CITY

Altavista

Virginia · 3,353 residents (2025 est.) · 5.36 sq mi
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The short version

Altavista has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,349. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $142,900. Households here earn about 45% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,342
−2%since 2000
from 3,425 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
624 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 639 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.0
−8%since 2000
from 42.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,353 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Altavista
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,349
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,818 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,531
+86%since 2000
from $17,997 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.8%
+20.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.486
+6%since 2010
from 0.458 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade29.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$142,900
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$910
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $420 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.3%
−11.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.3% in 2000
44.7% rent
Vacancy rate
16.4%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.4%
−9.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 35.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+19%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
48
RELATED:See current rent listings in Altavista on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic73.8%(2,527)
Black24.3%(832)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(32)
Asian0.2%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score48.4%(1,656)
2024
White, non-Hispanic65%(2,172)
Black28.2%(942)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(117)
Asian0.5%(16)
Other2.8%(95)
Diversity Score62%(2,073)
Diversity Score
62
+28%since 2000
from 48 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.7%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.6%
+21.4 ptssince 2000
from 68.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.4 min
+53%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.0%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 89.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.3%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.6%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.4%
+13.9 ptssince 2011
from 51.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.0%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.6%
−31.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.0%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 39.8% in 2009
Female
56.0%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 60.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.7%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.4%
−30.9 ptssince 2009
from 41.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.7%
−5.7 ptssince 2012
from 24.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.6%
−82.1 ptssince 2013
from 89.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.6%
+22.6 ptssince 2017
from 60.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2016
from 96.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Altavista to nearby cities

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ALTAVISTA VS
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ALTAVISTA VS
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ALTAVISTA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Altavista, Virginia?

Altavista, Virginia has about 3,342 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Altavista, Virginia?

The typical household in Altavista, Virginia earns about $51,349 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Altavista, Virginia expensive?

In Altavista, Virginia, the median home is worth about $142,900, and the typical rent is about $910 a month.

How educated are people in Altavista, Virginia?

About 27.7% of adults age 25 and over in Altavista, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Altavista, Virginia?

About 11.9% of people in Altavista, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Altavista, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Altavista, Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 344 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →