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CITY

Galax

Virginia · 6,670 residents (2025 est.) · 8.236 sq mi
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The short version

Galax has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,675. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% 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 $141,300. The poverty rate of 31.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 58% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% 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
6,726
−2%since 2000
from 6,837 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
817 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 830 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.9
+8%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:6,670 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K7K7K7K7K1990201020202024Galax
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,675
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,236 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,667
+70%since 2000
from $17,447 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.8%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
31.1%
+12.5 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.542
+2%since 2010
from 0.532 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information18.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade13.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade2.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance1%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$141,300
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$743
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $346 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.3%
−9.9 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
43.7% rent
Vacancy rate
14.0%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.5%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.7
+64%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
59
RELATED:See current rent listings in Galax on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.2%(5,549)
Black6%(412)
Hispanic / Latino11.1%(757)
Asian0.7%(47)
Other0%
Diversity Score38.9%(2,657)
2024
White, non-Hispanic76.8%(5,165)
Black4.9%(331)
Hispanic / Latino14.1%(950)
Asian0.3%(19)
Other3.9%(261)
Diversity Score48.3%(3,249)
Diversity Score
48
+24%since 2000
from 39 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.1%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.4%
+23.9 ptssince 2000
from 60.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.3%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.6 min
+86%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.4%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 76.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.2%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% 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
8.4%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 3.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2011
from 52.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.3%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.6%
−32.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
Female
55.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
Foreign born
5.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.4%
−32.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.5%
−5.7 ptssince 2012
from 21.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.8%
−78.2 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.2%
+25.1 ptssince 2017
from 63.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2016
from 87.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2016
from 11.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Galax, Virginia?

Galax, Virginia has about 6,726 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Galax, Virginia?

The typical household in Galax, Virginia earns about $38,675 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Galax, Virginia expensive?

In Galax, Virginia, the median home is worth about $141,300, and the typical rent is about $743 a month.

How educated are people in Galax, Virginia?

About 19.1% of adults age 25 and over in Galax, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Galax, Virginia?

About 31.1% of people in Galax, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Galax, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Galax, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 56 residents, a change of about 1 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 →