Altavista, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Altavista, Virginia had a total population of 3,342, the 232nd largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $51,349, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Altavista Quick Facts
How Altavista Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,356 | 3,342 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $45,962 | $51,349 | +11.7% |
| Median home value | $135,000 | $142,900 | +5.9% |
How Altavista Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Altavista Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Campbell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timberlake | 12,725 | $75,657 | 8.5% | $235,900 |
| Concord | 1,462 | $71,058 | 13.3% | $227,600 |
| Rustburg | 1,417 | $72,950 | 22.3% | $263,900 |
| Brookneal | 1,300 | $44,850 | 24.8% | $135,600 |
Cities Similar to Altavista
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone | 3,341 | $54,570 | $140,900 | 17.6% | 26.6% |
| Lebanon | 3,116 | $53,050 | $162,400 | 19.1% | 17.8% |
| Chincoteague | 3,296 | $62,917 | $349,500 | 38.0% | 10.2% |
| Clifton Forge | 3,447 | $40,000 | $109,500 | 21.0% | 15.1% |
| Wise | 2,916 | $53,596 | $144,700 | 25.3% | 12.5% |
Population Overview
Altavista is a small community located in Virginia, within Campbell County. The total population is 3,342. It ranks as the 232nd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altavista is 39.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altavista is $51,349. This is 45% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $142,900. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Altavista is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Altavista is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (28.2% vs 18.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
27.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altavista, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Altavista, Virginia?
Altavista, Virginia has a population of 3,342 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altavista, VA?
The median household income in Altavista is $51,349, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Altavista, VA?
The poverty rate in Altavista is 11.9%. This means approximately 387 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altavista, Virginia?
Altavista's population is 65.0% White, 28.2% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altavista, VA?
The median home value in Altavista is $142,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Altavista, Virginia?
27.7% of adults (25+) in Altavista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.