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CITY · 2020 ACS

South Boston

Virginia · 7,966 residents · 13.062 sq mi
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The short version

South Boston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,087. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 17% 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 $128,300. The poverty rate of 21.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 48% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% 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
7,966
−6%since 2000
from 8,491 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
610 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 650 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.8
+6%since 2000
from 41.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7K7K8K8K9K1990201020202024South Boston
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,087
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,964 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,105
+33%since 2000
from $15,872 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.7%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 20.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade30.1%
US avg: 10%
Information13.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Wholesale trade1.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Public administration0.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$128,300
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$672
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $355 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.1%
−10.9 ptssince 2000
from 60.9% in 2000
49.9% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+19%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Boston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic50%(4,242)
Black47.1%(4,000)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(123)
Asian0.5%(41)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.8%(5,505)
2020
White, non-Hispanic40.8%(3,247)
Black51.8%(4,127)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(264)
Asian1.5%(122)
Other0.6%(50)
Diversity Score68.3%(5,441)
Diversity Score
68
+5%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.4%
+19.2 ptssince 2000
from 64.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.9 min
+19%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.7%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 82.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.6%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.6%
−7.3 ptssince 2011
from 13.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
49.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2011
from 46.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.3%
−32.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
38.0%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 40.5% in 2009
Female
62.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.5% in 2009
Foreign born
5.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.8%
−76.2 ptssince 2013
from 83.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare South Boston to nearby cities

SOUTH BOSTON VS
Roxboro
Income$36,553−9%
Home value$157,700+23%
Population8,380+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH BOSTON VS
Danville
Income$44,423+11%
Home value$119,100−7%
Population41,647+434%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH BOSTON VS
Oxford
Income$43,054+7%
Home value$196,200+53%
Population8,985+15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH BOSTON VS
Henderson
Income$39,969same
Home value$123,800−4%
Population15,013+93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in South Boston, Virginia?

South Boston, Virginia has about 7,966 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South Boston, Virginia?

The typical household in South Boston, Virginia earns about $40,087 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Boston, Virginia expensive?

In South Boston, Virginia, the median home is worth about $128,300, and the typical rent is about $672 a month.

How educated are people in South Boston, Virginia?

About 17.0% of adults age 25 and over in South Boston, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Boston, Virginia?

About 21.2% of people in South Boston, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has South Boston, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, South Boston, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 969 residents, a change of about 14 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 →