Altavista town, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Altavista town, Virginia has a total population of 3,356, the 231st largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $45,962, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.9% is notably above the national average.
Altavista town Quick Facts
How Altavista town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Altavista town Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Altavista town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone town | 3,341 | $58,479 | $185,600 | 20.3% | 27.7% |
| Wise town | 2,940 | $44,234 | $118,100 | 28.9% | 21.3% |
| Norton city | 3,620 | $38,497 | $100,700 | 16.7% | 25.7% |
| Chincoteague town | 3,300 | $62,292 | $329,200 | 37.2% | 10.6% |
| Lebanon town | 3,133 | $57,578 | $161,900 | 17.7% | 16.8% |
Population Overview
Altavista town is a small community located in Virginia. The total population is 3,356. It ranks as the 231st most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altavista town is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 10.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altavista town is $45,962. This is 49% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.5%. This is 46% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 10.9%. This is 153% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $135,000. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $360,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Altavista town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Altavista town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (34.5% vs 18.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 10.7%.
Education
28.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altavista town, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Altavista town, Virginia?
Altavista town, Virginia has a population of 3,356 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altavista town, VA?
The median household income in Altavista town is $45,962, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Altavista town, VA?
The poverty rate in Altavista town is 14.5%. This means approximately 476 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altavista town, Virginia?
Altavista town's population is 61.4% White, 34.5% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altavista town, VA?
The median home value in Altavista town is $135,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Altavista town, Virginia?
28.0% of adults (25+) in Altavista town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.