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CITY

Emporia

Virginia · 5,447 residents (2025 est.) · 6.904 sq mi
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The short version

Emporia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,899. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $148,500. Households here earn about 44% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% 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
5,547
−2%since 2000
from 5,665 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
803 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 821 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.6
−6%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,447 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K6K1990201020202024Emporia
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,899
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,333 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,969
+88%since 2000
from $15,377 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.9%
+19.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.439
−11%since 2010
from 0.491 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance12%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical11.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.8%
Construction2.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.2%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$148,500
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,037
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $437 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
38.1%
−14.1 ptssince 2000
from 52.2% in 2000
61.9% rent
Vacancy rate
20.9%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.4%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 26.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.9%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+29%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Emporia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic41.3%(2,342)
Black56%(3,174)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(84)
Asian0.5%(30)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.6%(3,603)
2024
White, non-Hispanic18.3%(1,017)
Black64.3%(3,569)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(436)
Asian0.6%(32)
Other8.9%(493)
Diversity Score67.3%(3,732)
Diversity Score
67
+6%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.6%
+22.1 ptssince 2000
from 58.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.2 min
+67%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.0%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 81.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.9%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.4%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% 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
12.5%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−11.1 ptssince 2011
from 14.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 56.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.9%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
18.7%
−38.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
53.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.0%
−40.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.5%
+3.7 ptssince 2012
from 18.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.7%
−77.2 ptssince 2013
from 81.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.4%
+32.4 ptssince 2017
from 56.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2016
from 95.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 3.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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EMPORIA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Emporia, Virginia?

Emporia, Virginia has about 5,547 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Emporia, Virginia?

The typical household in Emporia, Virginia earns about $51,899 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Emporia, Virginia expensive?

In Emporia, Virginia, the median home is worth about $148,500, and the typical rent is about $1,037 a month.

How educated are people in Emporia, Virginia?

About 16.0% of adults age 25 and over in Emporia, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Emporia, Virginia?

About 15.8% of people in Emporia, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Emporia, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Emporia, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 241 residents, a change of about 5 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 →