CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Emporia

Virginia · 5,766 residents · 6.904 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Emporia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,058. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $121,600. The poverty rate of 21.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 61% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% 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
5,766
+2%since 2000
from 5,665 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
835 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 821 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.8
+5%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K6K1990201020202024Emporia
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,058
−34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,333 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,612
+28%since 2000
from $15,377 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
18.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.8%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade12.8%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance10.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical8.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$121,600
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$756
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $437 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
38.3%
−13.9 ptssince 2000
from 52.2% in 2000
61.7% rent
Afford Score
4.0
+82%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic26.5%(1,529)
Black63%(3,631)
Hispanic / Latino6%(345)
Asian0.9%(50)
Other7.6%(436)
Diversity Score69.9%(4,028)
Diversity Score
70
+10%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
75.1%
+16.6 ptssince 2000
from 58.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.4 min
+46%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.9%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
19.1%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
16.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2011
from 14.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.1%
+7.7 ptssince 2011
from 56.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.1%
−31.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.9%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
56.1%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.9%
−70.0 ptssince 2013
from 81.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Emporia

Crystal Lake
Pop 5,451
LaBelle
Pop 5,754
Jan Phyl
Pop 5,708
Pahokee
Pop 5,794
Places similar to Emporia
Head to head

Compare Emporia to nearby cities

EMPORIA VS
Roanoke Rapids
Income$53,690+79%
Home value$142,700+17%
Population14,386+164%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMPORIA VS
Franklin
Income$63,245+110%
Home value$256,600+111%
Population8,478+56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMPORIA VS
Petersburg
Income$50,698+69%
Home value$189,000+55%
Population33,734+519%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMPORIA VS
Fort Lee
Income$82,563+175%
Home value$225,000+85%
Population8,993+65%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Emporia, Virginia?

Emporia, Virginia has about 5,766 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Emporia, Virginia?

The typical household in Emporia, Virginia earns about $30,058 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 $121,600, and the typical rent is about $756 a month.

How educated are people in Emporia, Virginia?

About 11.7% 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 21.8% 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 460 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Virginia
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Emporia with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →