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CITY · 2020 ACS

Altavista

Virginia · 3,378 residents · 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 $33,265. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $112,400. The poverty rate of 23.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 56% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,378
−1%since 2000
from 3,425 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
41.6
−2%since 2000
from 42.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Altavista
20243K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2020
Under 55.9%(200)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 96.7%(226)
US avg: 6.1%
10 to 146.7%(225)
US avg: 6.5%
15 to 195.4%(183)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 245.7%(193)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 3412.3%(415)
US avg: 13.5%
35 to 4410.5%(356)
US avg: 12.7%
45 to 5411.5%(388)
US avg: 12.3%
55 to 6413.9%(470)
US avg: 13.1%
65 to 7410.4%(350)
US avg: 10%
75 to 847.6%(256)
US avg: 4.9%
85 and over3.4%(116)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,265
−30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,818 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,741
+15%since 2000
from $17,997 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.2%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade35.1%
US avg: 10%
Information15%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.5%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Professional, scientific, technical0.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$112,400
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$671
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $420 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.0%
−7.4 ptssince 2000
from 66.3% in 2000
41.0% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+5%since 2009
from 3.2 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
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%
2020
White, non-Hispanic63.1%(2,130)
Black29%(980)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(83)
Asian0.7%(23)
Other0.7%(24)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Asian origin
Japanese0.2%(8)
Vietnamese0.2%(6)
Ancestry
American9.1%(313)
Irish8.5%(292)
English8.1%(280)
German7.6%(262)
Scottish1.8%(63)
Scotch-Irish1.5%(53)
Dutch1.1%(37)
French1.1%(37)
Italian0.7%(24)
Hungarian0.6%(19)
Polish0.4%(13)
+ 2 more ancestry groups with data
British0.3%(9)
Swiss0.2%(8)
RANKED:Largest American population · Largest Irish population · Largest English population · Largest German population · Largest Scottish population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
82.8%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 68.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.2 min
+104%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.8%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 89.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.3%
+4.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.6%
+7.1 ptssince 2011
from 51.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.1%
−34.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.8%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 39.8% in 2009
Female
54.2%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 60.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.1%
−81.6 ptssince 2013
from 89.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married45%(562)
Married39.1%(488)
Widowed2.3%(29)
Divorced13.5%(169)
Women 15+
Never married29.9%(446)
Married43.1%(643)
Widowed12.9%(193)
Divorced14.1%(210)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Altavista, Virginia?

Altavista, Virginia has about 3,378 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Altavista, Virginia?

The typical household in Altavista, Virginia earns about $33,265 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 $112,400, and the typical rent is about $671 a month.

How educated are people in Altavista, Virginia?

About 22.9% 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 23.2% 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 308 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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

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