CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Buchanan County

Virginia · 20,355 residents · 502.854 sq mi
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The short version

Buchanan County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,302. Population has fallen 25% since 2000, a loss of 6,623 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $69,500. With a median age of 47.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 55% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 47.8
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
20,355
−25%since 2000
from 26,978 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
40 / sq mi
−25%since 2000
from 54 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
47.8
+23%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K22K25K29K33K1990201020202024Buchanan County
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,302
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,213 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,092
+73%since 2000
from $12,788 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
17.7%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
24.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 23.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing11.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing10.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Retail trade7.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$69,500
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$608
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $336 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.4%
−4.4 ptssince 2000
from 82.9% in 2000
21.6% rent
Afford Score
2.0
+5%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buchanan County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(26,007)
Black2.6%(706)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(128)
Asian0.1%(37)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.9%(2,126)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic94.4%(19,210)
Black3%(613)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(177)
Asian0.2%(49)
Other1.8%(358)
Diversity Score14.1%(2,865)
Segregation Score31.4%(6,394)
Diversity Score
14
+79%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.8%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
72.6%
+19.7 ptssince 2000
from 52.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.7 min
+13%since 2000
from 24.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.2%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
37.0%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 40.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.1%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
50.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.0%
−78.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Buchanan County

Monroe County
Pop 18,965
Marengo County
Pop 18,311
Macon County
Pop 18,132
Drew County
Pop 17,054
Places similar to Buchanan County
Head to head

Compare Buchanan County to nearby counties

BUCHANAN COUNTY VS
Dickenson County
Income$47,254+38%
Home value$102,700+48%
Population13,236−28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUCHANAN COUNTY VS
McDowell County
Income$31,559−8%
Home value$50,000−28%
Population16,878−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUCHANAN COUNTY VS
Russell County
Income$50,012+46%
Home value$120,600+74%
Population25,332+37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUCHANAN COUNTY VS
Pike County
Income$44,312+29%
Home value$112,000+61%
Population54,721+196%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buchanan County, Virginia?

Buchanan County, Virginia has about 20,355 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buchanan County, Virginia?

The typical household in Buchanan County, Virginia earns about $34,302 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buchanan County, Virginia expensive?

In Buchanan County, Virginia, the median home is worth about $69,500, and the typical rent is about $608 a month.

How educated are people in Buchanan County, Virginia?

About 11.8% of adults age 25 and over in Buchanan County, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buchanan County, Virginia?

About 24.9% of people in Buchanan County, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buchanan County, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Buchanan County, Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 10,978 residents, a change of about -35 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

7 census tracts
Census Tract 101Census Tract 106Census Tract 107Census Tract 103Census Tract 102Census Tract 104Census Tract 105
12 ZIP codes
ZIP 24614ZIP 24639ZIP 24631ZIP 24656ZIP 24620ZIP 24646ZIP 24603ZIP 24622ZIP 24634ZIP 24607ZIP 24657ZIP 24239
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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