Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metro Area

Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · Metro Area

181,664Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 5 counties (2 central, 3 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $65,839
Median home value: $240,900
Land area: 1,455 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Montgomery County, VA	Central	99,101	$72,715	$304,600
Pulaski County, VA	Outlying	33,687	$62,028	$191,700
Radford city, VA	Central	16,726	$57,348	$220,700
Giles County, VA	Outlying	16,557	$65,691	$151,100
Floyd County, VA	Outlying	15,593	$62,191	$225,400

Largest cities and towns

27 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Blacksburg, VA	Town	45,446	$50,182
Christiansburg, VA	Town	22,720	$77,147
Radford, VA	City	16,726	$57,348
Pulaski, VA	Town	8,893	$49,491
Pearisburg, VA	Town	2,860	$75,532
Merrimac, VA	CDP	2,733	$53,611
Dublin, VA	Town	2,671	$62,426
Fairlawn, VA	CDP	2,488	$66,918
Narrows, VA	Town	1,935	$62,708
Shawsville, VA	CDP	1,411	$68,684
Plum Creek, VA	CDP	1,068	$41,603
Riner, VA	CDP	1,038	$105,759
Pembroke, VA	Town	996	$57,500
Belview, VA	CDP	990	$55,288
Elliston, VA	CDP	952	$47,045
Prices Fork, VA	CDP	900	$69,063
Rich Creek, VA	Town	776	$48,750
Lafayette, VA	CDP	628	$34,596
Floyd, VA	Town	479	$62,688
Parrott, VA	CDP	401	—
Draper, VA	CDP	348	$58,963
New River, VA	CDP	268	$41,628
Allisonia, VA	CDP	157	—
Belspring, VA	CDP	152	$61,053
Snowville, VA	CDP	77	—

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

19.7%

Unemployment

3.5%

College Educated

35.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$65,839

Mean Household Income

$91,263

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.3%

Female

49.7%

Population Split

Male50.3%

Female49.7%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English13.7%

German11.5%

Irish9.2%

Italian3.0%

Scottish2.2%

Polish1.7%

Mexican1.5%

French1.0%

African0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.1%Foreign Born

93.9%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized37.4%

Non-Citizen62.6%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later54.2%

Before 201045.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

82,624

Median Rent

$1,104/mo

Median Home Value

$240,900

Median Year Built

1982

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

60,844

College Enrollment

53.4%

High School

11.7%

College Educated

35.9%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.2 min

Drive Alone Rate

73.8%

Public Transit

1.8%

Work From Home

10.6%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

16.2%

18-34 Years

33.8%

35-64 Years

33.1%

65+ Years

16.9%

Population Composition

Under 1816.2%

18-3433.8%

35-6433.1%

65+16.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

44.3%

Single Parent

4.1%

Living Alone

31.3%

Avg Size

2.37

Household Types

Married Couples44.3%

Single Parent4.1%

Living Alone31.3%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$36,750

SNAP Usage

8.6%

Health Insurance

94.7%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k20.3%

$25k - $50k19.5%

$50k - $100k28.2%

$100k+32.0%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

13.5%

Retail Trade

11.3%

Education & Health Care

32.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.6%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.7%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

87.6%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

93.5%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

92.7

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

157.6

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

How can this information help me in marketing?